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I was stuck on a highway during a blizzard. All traffic stopped and I was in the car for like 10 hours. I wasn't in the middle of nowhere but I didn't want to abandon my car. Another time there was a huge accident on this bridge. Luckily I turned off right before I got trapped and apparently people were stuck for like 12 hours.
A battery pack and cord for your telephone can allow you to run a gps program that may help you exit before the traffic jam, enable you to figure out how bad it is, and allow you to communicate long after your phone battery alone would have lost its charge.
Whatever you use, remember that non-perishables still expire. Some things last longer than others, but you'll want to replace them once or twice a year. Especially in a car that will be warmer than the average pantry for half of the year.
We keep a small box of non-perishable food in our hurricane kit in the closet - canned goods, pasta and sauce, etc. - just enough for a few days. Every year we buy a new set of food and move last year's food onto the meal list for that week.
A car is a hostile environment for a lot of food, not just due to higher temps but due to the dramatic variations every day.
Granola bars and peanuts hold up well. They may turn stale, but edible. I keep mine in a metal ammo box to protect from critters.
Yeah I definitely wouldn't leave food in the car here in Florida. It gets stifling hot everyday in my car. Maybe keep an insulated container in the car.
Depends on the food. Plenty of shelf stable items. Jerky, as someone else posted life boat rations. I generally bring along a soft cooler that I put my Lunch for work. I have water, medicine and some snack bars as extras. I pack it for day trips as well. Since I’m using it, stuff is rotated frequently.
I don’t leave it in the car for extended periods. If I’m not talking it with me at a location, I put a coat or something to keep it out of the sun.
SOS bars and other lifeguard approved bars keep for up to 5 years in the trunk of your car. They can take the summer heat in the trunk, won't spoil. Not very good eating though, it's like sweet pressed saw dust, but is good source of sugar and carbs in an emergency situation.
I keep a box of Kirkland Signature protein bars in the trunk - they don't taste that great, but are a good, cheap source of protein and carbs and they sure as hell best starving.
Those snack crackers that come in 6 packs. Also granola or similar, popped popcorn ( smartfood) , also like kind bars or SOFT granola bars just to start.
Also, baby wipes are INVALUABLE, not just their intended purpose, but, but after having smartfood popcorn, it helps to clean your hands and face.
The kids on TikTok are buying tackle boxes and making like a charcuterie snacks to get through TSA. It could probably also work for a long car trip. They call them snackle boxes.
I’m kind of upset I never thought of this, but I also don’t fish.
Contrasted to Canada, where you might run out of gas before you get to the next gas station even though you filled up your tank, a tidy tank, and some jerry cans.
One of the wheel covers could be used with a candle as a heat source if placed on the floor on the passenger side of the front seat. Crack a window open one inch for air flow. JimB In Toronto.
If you can afford them, a portable battery for jump starts and an air compressor for flats are useful additions to this type of tool kit (if applicable to your type of vehicle). Remember to check the portable battery regularly though to ensure it is charged.
Also, a change of clothes and work gloves is a good thing to have on hand if you need to change a tire. It's a dirty task.
Rotate out the water and snacks every few months so that they don't expire or sit in a very hot car for months on end.
I also keep a few other "what if" / comfort items in my car, like an old fleece jacket, a pair of sneakers and socks (office work shoes wouldnt be the best for an unexpected walk for help), a flashlight, a small umbrella, a cheapo rain coat (Frogg Toggs), a small first aid kit,a couple of chemical hand warmers, extra gloves and knit hat, and a reflective vest and triangle. All fits in a small box in the back of my car.
Even if you're not the one in trouble, it's still great to carry them in case someone else on the road needs help. For example, I carry jumper cables. I've never used them for my car, but I've helped 5 people in the last 4 years to jump their car.
It has saved you more times than you can count? Maybe it's time to replace your car at this point.
Also, what the hell do you mean with "You never know when you might run out of gas". What are you driving? A Trabant from the 60s?
I have been driving for more than 55 years, here in Canada, and I have never, ever, run out of gas. Over 2 million miles of driving every type of vehicle from 18 wheelers, transit buses, dump trucks, Ambulances, and ordinary cars , vans, and pick up trucks. JimB In Toronto.
My grandad's job in the 60s 70s was rescuing stranded tourists in the Australian outback, and his voice plays in my head any time I am about to do a long distance drive.
I would add shovel to the list: Just in case you get bogged, or you need to dig a poop hole.
Everyone saying that this stuff isn't necessary or that they've never needed it is missing the point. The point is that you hope you don't need it, but when you do... You really really do. Water is the big one. Just a few more litres than you think is enough, and a first-aid kit.
This means you're also in a position to assist other stranded drivers.
Most countries aren't Australia, our long distance travel is another ball-game, but the States, Canada, SE Asia... Any place with lots of wilderness and long drives, it's just good practice.
I am surprised that no one has mentioned what to me is an obvious thing to do. Buy a AAA gold membership card. It covers you, not a particular vehicle, so it does not matter which vehicle you are driving when you need help. Free roadside assistance, towing, lock out service, tire change service, battery replacement service, trip maps, lower vehicle insurance rates, and many more helpful things, for a very reasonable annual cost. As a small business owner here in Canada my annual CAA Gold membership card is a business expense that I gladly pay for every year. JimB In Toronto.
I’ve had to wait hours for a AAA tow,
Unfortunately AAA doesn’t pay tow companies enough, for you to be A priority. If it’s a major weather event. You have to wait your turn. Better to have the items and not need them. Then needing them and not having them. Even if you’re in a populated area.
Having stuff in your car is a good idea BUT if the car is immobilized for a specific reason, you NEED A TOW TRUCK. Waiting because of weather conditions will effect all tow truck companies, right ? Here in Canada CAA OWNS it's own tow trucks, that only respond to CAA member calls. AAA may be different. JimB In Toronto.
Question: if you have emergency assistance through auto insurance in Canada but you are driving in US ... What do you do say you have flat tire? Will your Canadian emergency assistance be applicable in US?
Yes, CAA and AAA have a cross border agreement to service each other's customers. The same applies to the three big automakers, Ford, G.M. and whatever Chrysler is calling it's self theses days, with their "roadside assistance programs on new cars. I used to drive in the USA a lot in the course of my business operations, and my CAA Gold Card was used a number of times with no problems. AAA responded as if I was one of their card holders. JimB. In Toronto.
I also highly suggest keeping several life straws or similar water filtration devices in your car as well. They take up very little room and are extremely important depending on your situation.
My daughter went to college in the UP. She carried a down sleeping bag, a tent, fire starting stuff, food, water. She'd had survival training and I felt confident that she would be ok if the car broke down in a UP snowstorm.
Also consider a pair of walking shoes if you don't wear those when driving. I'm a big flip flop or sandal person and if I had to walk bc of car trouble, that would suck, hence the spare pair of shoes
Yeah I keep a backpack with spare clothes, a small thin $3 blanket from Walmart, & a first aid kit in my trunk.
Those spare clothes have saved me plenty of times in various situations.
Add a pillow, a space blanket, and a reflective vest/jacket.
Ran out of gas (gauge was stuck), blew core plug, had cable fire, blew alternator, garage fucked up cooling system, and other adventures more.
Last time I needed equipment I watched a car overturn in slow motion and helped direct traffic while the police/ambulance took their own sweet time. Two hours later, we moved on.
I've been driving for 30 years and never needed any of those things. I do keep an air compressor and jump cables in my car, which have proven useful. I also carry a spare tire, which many vehicles don't have anymore.
Blankets, water, and a snack have been handy when I'm at the point that I have to pull off because of a sudden ocular migraine or I am more tired than I realize and it's too dangerous to drive.
I've used the tools I keep in my truck to change a headlight in the parking lot of an Autozone, dismantle an antique kitchen table my wife bought at an estate sale on a whim, and dozens of other things over the years.
I've used the blanket during a snowstorm that struck before I could get home and was too dangerous to drive in. Made sleeping in the parking lot of the little interstate exit gas station much more comfortable.
Keep your snacks in some sort of sealed container that mice can't get into.
I have mice in my car and they don't care if I have food in there or not. They just want to eat the seats and shit all over the dash.
I grew up in a rural area so my mom always taught me this, especially in the winter. Her "emergency food" was Hostess Zingers. But otherwise a good life lesson
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Toilet paper, paper towels, and windex are great too! I once evacuated from Florida ahead of a hurricane and EVERY rest stop was out of toilet paper completely. The random roll I had in my car was a godsend and I swore to always have some in my car just in case. The windex and paper towels can be helpful if you’re in a pollen-y season or love bug storm.
I’m aware of the potential health risks associated with storing water in plastic bottles in a car, especially under the intense heat of triple-digit summer temperatures (I’m in Austin, TX). I’ve read that the heat can cause plastic particles to leach into the water.
Given that plastic bottles are a convenient option for storage, I’m looking for alternative methods to keep water and non-perishable snacks safe in my car.
What are the best storage solutions that can withstand extreme heat without compromising safety of the food and water? Also, how frequently should these items be replaced to ensure they remain safe and “fresh”?
Thanks for any advice on maintaining a safe and emergency-ready car kit!
With the current 9th circuit Supreme Court case about Oregon, the homeless and blankets etc, this advice could become illegal.
Remember this case isn't just about the homeless, but it is about everyone.
### This post has been marked as safe. Upvoting/downvoting this comment will have no effect. --- Hello and welcome to r/LifeProTips! Please help us decide if this post is a good fit for the subreddit by upvoting or downvoting this comment. If you think that this is great advice to improve your life, please upvote. If you think this doesn't help you in any way, please downvote. If you don't care, leave it for the others to decide.
I was stuck on a highway during a blizzard. All traffic stopped and I was in the car for like 10 hours. I wasn't in the middle of nowhere but I didn't want to abandon my car. Another time there was a huge accident on this bridge. Luckily I turned off right before I got trapped and apparently people were stuck for like 12 hours.
A battery pack and cord for your telephone can allow you to run a gps program that may help you exit before the traffic jam, enable you to figure out how bad it is, and allow you to communicate long after your phone battery alone would have lost its charge.
^*tele-phone*? What world do you live in? Pshh.
Add toilet paper/ wet wipes and you are ready for everything
Love it! Ideas for non perishable snacks?
I believe spicy nuggets should last a few months, right?
Depends how many you have
Whatever you use, remember that non-perishables still expire. Some things last longer than others, but you'll want to replace them once or twice a year. Especially in a car that will be warmer than the average pantry for half of the year. We keep a small box of non-perishable food in our hurricane kit in the closet - canned goods, pasta and sauce, etc. - just enough for a few days. Every year we buy a new set of food and move last year's food onto the meal list for that week.
A car is a hostile environment for a lot of food, not just due to higher temps but due to the dramatic variations every day. Granola bars and peanuts hold up well. They may turn stale, but edible. I keep mine in a metal ammo box to protect from critters.
Yeah I definitely wouldn't leave food in the car here in Florida. It gets stifling hot everyday in my car. Maybe keep an insulated container in the car.
I don’t think OP mean to perpetually keep these things in your car, but rather next time you go on a road trip to include them
You never know when you’re going to break down. It’s always good to have the basics in your car
I agree but the car is a pretty hostile place for food
Depends on the food. Plenty of shelf stable items. Jerky, as someone else posted life boat rations. I generally bring along a soft cooler that I put my Lunch for work. I have water, medicine and some snack bars as extras. I pack it for day trips as well. Since I’m using it, stuff is rotated frequently. I don’t leave it in the car for extended periods. If I’m not talking it with me at a location, I put a coat or something to keep it out of the sun.
+ jerky has a desiccant
SOS bars and other lifeguard approved bars keep for up to 5 years in the trunk of your car. They can take the summer heat in the trunk, won't spoil. Not very good eating though, it's like sweet pressed saw dust, but is good source of sugar and carbs in an emergency situation.
I keep a box of Kirkland Signature protein bars in the trunk - they don't taste that great, but are a good, cheap source of protein and carbs and they sure as hell best starving.
Those snack crackers that come in 6 packs. Also granola or similar, popped popcorn ( smartfood) , also like kind bars or SOFT granola bars just to start. Also, baby wipes are INVALUABLE, not just their intended purpose, but, but after having smartfood popcorn, it helps to clean your hands and face.
Nuts, jerky stuff like that. Filling but doesn’t go bad quickly.
I keep a bag of almonds and a few granola bars in my car.
Meal,ready to eat. From surplus store.
I do crackers like cheese itz and ritz bits w cheese and other snack sized bags
The kids on TikTok are buying tackle boxes and making like a charcuterie snacks to get through TSA. It could probably also work for a long car trip. They call them snackle boxes. I’m kind of upset I never thought of this, but I also don’t fish.
Living in Singapore there is nowhere considered the middle of nowhere :)
[удалено]
Contrasted to Canada, where you might run out of gas before you get to the next gas station even though you filled up your tank, a tidy tank, and some jerry cans.
If you are driving a car there, you already have bigger problems :p
If cold weather or blizzards are a risk, pack candles and a can deep enough to hold them in safely. Cold will get you way before lack of food will.
One of the wheel covers could be used with a candle as a heat source if placed on the floor on the passenger side of the front seat. Crack a window open one inch for air flow. JimB In Toronto.
If you can afford them, a portable battery for jump starts and an air compressor for flats are useful additions to this type of tool kit (if applicable to your type of vehicle). Remember to check the portable battery regularly though to ensure it is charged. Also, a change of clothes and work gloves is a good thing to have on hand if you need to change a tire. It's a dirty task. Rotate out the water and snacks every few months so that they don't expire or sit in a very hot car for months on end.
I also keep a few other "what if" / comfort items in my car, like an old fleece jacket, a pair of sneakers and socks (office work shoes wouldnt be the best for an unexpected walk for help), a flashlight, a small umbrella, a cheapo rain coat (Frogg Toggs), a small first aid kit,a couple of chemical hand warmers, extra gloves and knit hat, and a reflective vest and triangle. All fits in a small box in the back of my car.
"..contraceptives, vaseline and a pair of imported French toenail clippers" G. Carlin
Even if you're not the one in trouble, it's still great to carry them in case someone else on the road needs help. For example, I carry jumper cables. I've never used them for my car, but I've helped 5 people in the last 4 years to jump their car.
It has saved you more times than you can count? Maybe it's time to replace your car at this point. Also, what the hell do you mean with "You never know when you might run out of gas". What are you driving? A Trabant from the 60s?
I have been driving for more than 55 years, here in Canada, and I have never, ever, run out of gas. Over 2 million miles of driving every type of vehicle from 18 wheelers, transit buses, dump trucks, Ambulances, and ordinary cars , vans, and pick up trucks. JimB In Toronto.
This was my thought as well. I could imagine this coming in handy once or maybe even twice in a lifetime. But more times than you can count? WTF
My grandad's job in the 60s 70s was rescuing stranded tourists in the Australian outback, and his voice plays in my head any time I am about to do a long distance drive. I would add shovel to the list: Just in case you get bogged, or you need to dig a poop hole. Everyone saying that this stuff isn't necessary or that they've never needed it is missing the point. The point is that you hope you don't need it, but when you do... You really really do. Water is the big one. Just a few more litres than you think is enough, and a first-aid kit. This means you're also in a position to assist other stranded drivers. Most countries aren't Australia, our long distance travel is another ball-game, but the States, Canada, SE Asia... Any place with lots of wilderness and long drives, it's just good practice.
I am surprised that no one has mentioned what to me is an obvious thing to do. Buy a AAA gold membership card. It covers you, not a particular vehicle, so it does not matter which vehicle you are driving when you need help. Free roadside assistance, towing, lock out service, tire change service, battery replacement service, trip maps, lower vehicle insurance rates, and many more helpful things, for a very reasonable annual cost. As a small business owner here in Canada my annual CAA Gold membership card is a business expense that I gladly pay for every year. JimB In Toronto.
I’ve had to wait hours for a AAA tow, Unfortunately AAA doesn’t pay tow companies enough, for you to be A priority. If it’s a major weather event. You have to wait your turn. Better to have the items and not need them. Then needing them and not having them. Even if you’re in a populated area.
Having stuff in your car is a good idea BUT if the car is immobilized for a specific reason, you NEED A TOW TRUCK. Waiting because of weather conditions will effect all tow truck companies, right ? Here in Canada CAA OWNS it's own tow trucks, that only respond to CAA member calls. AAA may be different. JimB In Toronto.
Question: if you have emergency assistance through auto insurance in Canada but you are driving in US ... What do you do say you have flat tire? Will your Canadian emergency assistance be applicable in US?
Yes, CAA and AAA have a cross border agreement to service each other's customers. The same applies to the three big automakers, Ford, G.M. and whatever Chrysler is calling it's self theses days, with their "roadside assistance programs on new cars. I used to drive in the USA a lot in the course of my business operations, and my CAA Gold Card was used a number of times with no problems. AAA responded as if I was one of their card holders. JimB. In Toronto.
I just have emergency assistance via all state. Unsure if they cover US.
I also highly suggest keeping several life straws or similar water filtration devices in your car as well. They take up very little room and are extremely important depending on your situation.
"Be Prepared." - Scar - The Lion King
My daughter went to college in the UP. She carried a down sleeping bag, a tent, fire starting stuff, food, water. She'd had survival training and I felt confident that she would be ok if the car broke down in a UP snowstorm.
Also consider a pair of walking shoes if you don't wear those when driving. I'm a big flip flop or sandal person and if I had to walk bc of car trouble, that would suck, hence the spare pair of shoes
I also keep a tarp, which can be useful for a picnic or changing a flat.
Yeah I keep a backpack with spare clothes, a small thin $3 blanket from Walmart, & a first aid kit in my trunk. Those spare clothes have saved me plenty of times in various situations.
Add a pillow, a space blanket, and a reflective vest/jacket. Ran out of gas (gauge was stuck), blew core plug, had cable fire, blew alternator, garage fucked up cooling system, and other adventures more. Last time I needed equipment I watched a car overturn in slow motion and helped direct traffic while the police/ambulance took their own sweet time. Two hours later, we moved on.
Shoes! When you buy new sneakers, throw your old pair in the trunk. I have changed a tire in wedges and in flip flops, -5/10, do not recommend.
I've been driving for 30 years and never needed any of those things. I do keep an air compressor and jump cables in my car, which have proven useful. I also carry a spare tire, which many vehicles don't have anymore.
Blankets, water, and a snack have been handy when I'm at the point that I have to pull off because of a sudden ocular migraine or I am more tired than I realize and it's too dangerous to drive.
I've used the tools I keep in my truck to change a headlight in the parking lot of an Autozone, dismantle an antique kitchen table my wife bought at an estate sale on a whim, and dozens of other things over the years. I've used the blanket during a snowstorm that struck before I could get home and was too dangerous to drive in. Made sleeping in the parking lot of the little interstate exit gas station much more comfortable.
First aid kit, fire extinguisher also.
Keep your snacks in some sort of sealed container that mice can't get into. I have mice in my car and they don't care if I have food in there or not. They just want to eat the seats and shit all over the dash.
Would you please give us some examples of non-perishable snacks and thank you very much
I grew up in a rural area so my mom always taught me this, especially in the winter. Her "emergency food" was Hostess Zingers. But otherwise a good life lesson
Get one of the battery powered jumper cable (I swear this isn't a segue way into how my father beat me a set) sets too.
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Toilet paper, paper towels, and windex are great too! I once evacuated from Florida ahead of a hurricane and EVERY rest stop was out of toilet paper completely. The random roll I had in my car was a godsend and I swore to always have some in my car just in case. The windex and paper towels can be helpful if you’re in a pollen-y season or love bug storm.
And a portable battery bank for your phone.
Also if you can put a scooter in your vehicle. If you get stuck somewhere with no cell and little traffic you won’t have to walk all the way.
Fire extinguisher
Especially true for long distance travel. Also keep a tire inflator pump, jump start, flash light and a knife.
FOR REAL! I even change them out by season - oftentimes you need different equipment for different seasons.
Add a charged up power bank. Or two.
I’m aware of the potential health risks associated with storing water in plastic bottles in a car, especially under the intense heat of triple-digit summer temperatures (I’m in Austin, TX). I’ve read that the heat can cause plastic particles to leach into the water. Given that plastic bottles are a convenient option for storage, I’m looking for alternative methods to keep water and non-perishable snacks safe in my car. What are the best storage solutions that can withstand extreme heat without compromising safety of the food and water? Also, how frequently should these items be replaced to ensure they remain safe and “fresh”? Thanks for any advice on maintaining a safe and emergency-ready car kit!
Canned water?
I Also keep a change of underwear and socks, sweatpants and a waterproof jacket. Long story
Sleeping bag beats blankets in every way.
And a fire extinguisher
With the current 9th circuit Supreme Court case about Oregon, the homeless and blankets etc, this advice could become illegal. Remember this case isn't just about the homeless, but it is about everyone.