So lately I have been working on a vehicle kit for my pontiac grand prix and i was wonderinng what all of you put in your vehicle kits so i can get a idea of what to put in mine(although i suppose everyone's differs).
So far i have stuff lying on my floor and im debating whats worthy to go in the pack I will have it in. I would get a emergency vehicle kit at the store,but the items are poor quality. Also im considering getting one of those tools that breaks the glass and has a seat belt cutter and what not, are these good or a waste of time?

I keep a Rubber-Maid container in the back of each vehicle with the following stuff in it:
enough oil for a complete oil change and spare filter
jumper cables
hose repair kit
2 cans fix-a-flat
flashlight
radiator stop leak
flares
spare fuses
small tool kit
folding shovel
can of brake fluid
1 gal of anti-freeze mixed to 50-50 with water
can of starting fluid

This may sound silly, but I keep a bag of kitty litter in my car in the winter when I'm in icy places in case I need a little extra traction. I've even used it to clean up after an oil leak. I also keep a fire extinguisher.

I keep:

small Fire Extinguisher
First Aid Kit
Solar Blanket
Waterproof Poncho
Drinking Water
Wet Naps
Hand Cleaner
Auto Spot Light
Flashlight with Batteries
a few Light Stick
Whistle
Flat Tire Fixer
Jumper Cables
Tow Rope
Swiss Army Knife
Utility Knife
Leather Gloves
Duct Tape
a couple of blankets

Well, in wintertime I put also some in my car. Has helped me a few times very well, so I don't think it's silly at all.

I've got a truck with a fg tonneau cover over the bed so carrying stuff is not a problem -- big trunk. The lists below are good, the idea is to be able to fix your car to get it moving again. Failing that, enough gear to spend the night (blankets, munchies, water). Spare parts aren't much good unless you know how to install them.

This isn't stuff, but important. If you have a pickup with the spare tire under the bed: Be sure that the mechanism hasn't rusted solid. Be sure to try to remove the wheel periodically. I've seen a truck where the wheel/tire has never been serviced, & after 11 years, it's never going to be able to be removed for use.

AAA card (actually in my wallet)
Cell phone
A bunch of quarters
First aid kit
Spare jacket
AMK Heat Sheets
Knife
Flashlight and extra batteries
Jumper cables
Two quarts of oil
Flat head screwdrivers
Phillips head screwdrivers
Pliers
Vise Grips
Adjustable wrench
Tire inflator (such as a Fix-A-Flat)
Tire pressure gauge
Roll of paper towels
Roll of duct tape
Pen and paper
Granola or energy bars
Bottled water
Backpack to carry stuff in case I have to walk

Kevin B.

Throw in an old cell phone and cig lighter cord, you can still call 911 on it.

We are lucky in one way I guess. We have a storage pod on top of our car (a Chevy Tracker 4WD), with all of our tent camping gear in it (small tent, mummy bags (20 and zero degree, they zip together), thermrest pads, tarp, small axe, folding saw and shovel, rain gear, candle lantern with a bunch of spare candles, two M-65 field jackets, with liners. Most of the stuff in the pod is inside of those new huge sized Zip Loc bags that are so handy. Small AM/FM/Weather radio (battery/solar/crank type), with spare batteries (cranking it is really a pain). Day pack with hydration bladder. Small hydration bladder only backpack Collapsable hiking staffs. Couple of spare GI boonie hats, still sealed in the factory plastic bags. Bottle of sun screen and bug dope.

In an Action Packer box behind the rear seat we have a single burner propane stove with a couple of new fuel bottles, a BP sized cook set, some MRE's, a selection of canned foods, P-51 can opener (larger and easier to use than the P-38, but I still have that on my key ring too), plastic plates, flatware for two, campers soap, PUR water filter, two insulated coffee mugs with caps, jar of instant coffee, tea bags, a few packs of instant coco mix, granola type bars, and I don't recall what else. Probably enough food for the two of us to last at least three days. A plastic bag of handy wipes.

In another Action Packer box we have a gallon of 50-50 antifreeze mix, couple qts of oil, metric socket set, couple of screwdrivers, pair of slip joint pliers, six and ten inch adjustable wrenches, duct tape, electricians tape, hose patch kit (inserts for several sized hoses, and clamps), roll of mechanics wire (that's what my dad always called it), pack of spare fuses (make sure you have the types and sizes for your vehicle), jumper cables. One of my old flight suits (you can get real dirty in a hurry working on/under a vehicle). Couiple cans of fix-a-flat. Also have one of the "Runt" water cans (2.5 gal versions of the new plastic USGI water cans), and two sets of chains (that actually fit the tires on the vehicle). A set of those emergency triangles you see set out behind broken down trucks all the time. 'Bout a dozen 30 minute flares. Pair of leather gloves. 12v air compressor.

A good first aid kit (put it together yourself, keeping in mind the level of your training), a quality flashlight with at least one spare set of quality batteries, a couple day supply of any required meds for the whole family. Scrapper to remove ice from the windshield. Small spray bottle (got it in a beauty supply store) with windex, and one of those yellow towels you get in a pack of about 24 at Costco (great little towels) for winshield washing. Probably a half dozen watter bottles under the seats.

In the winter time, thanks to something I read here a year or so ago, I add a small coffee can with a roll of TP (core removed) inside, a few bottles of rubbing alcohol, and a lighter. If stranded, you crack a window on the lee side of the vehicle, pour a bottle of alcohol into the can, and light it. The TP acts as a wick, puts out an amazing amount of heat. When the TP starts to turn brown you are out of alcohol, so you blow it out, let it cool, add another bottle, etc etc etc...

"...one of those tools that breaks the glass and has a seat belt cutter and what not..."

Get the Res-Q-Me, a good product. I wouldn't advise the small 'hammer' type of product, as the design seems useless to me. The attached handle makes it awkward, and it isn't enough of a handle to swing. The Res-Q-Me is straight, so you can just wrap your hand around it and smash the glass, like stabbing with a screwdriver.

For those of us who have older cars, may I suggest a gallon of the proper transmission fluid for you vehicle? All you need is a seal leak under pressure, and it's gone. But if you let the thing cool down for a couple of hours, then add your fluid, it will often hold it long enough to get to home, or to help. (8 measured miles up a long grade for my old Ford Ranger <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />)

Sue

Up north here, I add a winter sleeping bag, food, watch cap, mittens, candles ( lighter) and mini-heat packs.

Teacher

Thanks everyone for the tips! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I looked up the res q me tool and it looks nice. I also saw a version of it that goes on your keychain.

http://www.nov8safety.com/pages/glass.htm

I wonder if only the upscale cars nowadays use laminated glass for the side windows, or that it's more common. It reduces so it seems the use of the rescue me.

Try this as a base line.
2 out of 3 car kits

Year around in my truck I carry:

Umbrella
Flashlight
Batteries
Watch cap
Gloves
Becker Brute
Jumper Cables
Flares
NRA kit (Blastmatch, Whistle, Mirror, Tinder)
AMK Heatsheet
True Nord compass
Diamond stone
Coat
Tools
Tire repair kit
Plastic water bag
Spare boots
Block and tackle
Large automotive mirror
Large HD leaf bag
Spare serpentine belt
80' snare wire w/ locks
Fishing gear
Spare change of clothes
Campsaw
Axe
Coffee pot
Collapsible dog bowls
First aid kit
8X10 tarp
Can dogfood (4)
Water (2 gal.)
Can stew (2)
MRE"S (2)
Can vegetables (4)
Coffee (1 lb)
Coleman 1 burner whitegas stove
Heatdrum
Coffee cup
Mess kit
Utensils
Large soft-side cooler
Shovel
Sleeping bags (2)
Closed cell foam pad
1 pt water bottle
Sterno (4)
Lensatic Compass
Bic lighters (2)
Treated strike-anywhere matches
Chemical handwarmer
Chapstick
Emergency candles (4)
Sunscreen
Paracord
Boullion cubes (6)
Potable Aqua
8 X 25 Binoculars
Empty 3# coffee can
Triox bar
Surgical tubing (4')
Mora knife
N95 Masks (2)

Depending on the weather and my destination I also might throw in tire chains, tighteners, and a floor jack.

Always a good idea to secure loads. I prefer soft cases like these http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=wrench+roll&hl=en&btnG=Search to store gear/tools in so stuff doesn't rattle around while driving as well as various sized packs.
I have a small bob under my drivers seat where I can reach it at all times, a first aid kit under the passenger seat, then under the back seat is a wrench roll like above with wrenches, another small bag with additional tools, then other tiems like jumper cables, etc. These all secure to the seat belt mounts and seat frame.

"...325+ to the gallon..."

Wow, now that's some primo mileage!!!

Stuff in my truck's tool box:
extra set of belts
automatic transmission fluid
oil
fuel additive and anti-gel
extra fuel filter (incase fuel does gel)
starter fluid
washer fluid
socket and wrench set
vice grips, large cresent wrench, and some other tools
assorted bolts and fasteners
extra fuses, wire, and spare bulbs
winter front cover
100' extension cord
heavy duty jumper cables
set of tire chains
high lift jack
heavy tow strap
assorted tie downs
tarp (good for working under truck in snow)
flares
shovel, pulaski, combi tool, snow shovel
chainsaw (usually)
shop broom (for sweeping snow off)
SAR backpack
20 lb fire extinguisher
water fire extinguisher w/antifreeze mix

In the cab:
dog
mag light
spot light
250 watt inverter
cell phone and ipod chargers
cell phone antenna and powerbooster
50 watt Bendix King VHF radio
first aid kit
small fire extinguisher
couple of MREs and freeze dried meals
water bottles
bag of warm clothes
turnout coat
rain coat
shotgun
ice scraper
toilet paper
bunch of assorted batteries
spring loaded center punch (for breaking glass, but my past experiences with wrecks that i've been in i was always able to open a door, even while upside down)

Ha Ha Ha! Gee, look at my neat new car! I wonder what this nifty button under the door handle does?

Run over to the new Menards, next to St. Joe Harley on South Belt.
They have the small 12 volt refrigerators for $35. Hold about a 6 pack, and heat as well as cool. Now you don't have to thaw water bottles in your coat to get a drink in the winter.

Put common first aid/trauma gear in a lunch box or nylon lunch bag, and keep it within reach, as if you were trapped in the vehicle. Don't lay it on the seat without running a belt or strap/velcro to hold it in place, or it will become a missle in a crash. It's a low key solution to keeping some gear handy, without encouraging thieves.
The more extreme gear and tools go in the trunk, out of sight.
One thing to keep in mind in St. Joe, is apparently maritime salvage laws come into play, because that if you ever do end up in a crash, the towing company and River City's finest will fistfight over tools, money, music, etc., found in crashed vehicles, if the denizens of Blue Town don't find/raid it first.
In bad weather, stay off 36 and 229. The elevated sections and ramps are 3 to 5 stories high, and the first to freeze.

Fill a couple of 2 liter bottles with dri-sweep or cat litter. Sprinkle some on the glazed patches in front and behind your drive wheels to get you going.

If it is really bad out, stay where you are. No job is worth your life. You really don't want the term "tragic accident" and your name used in the same sentence.

Hey Fallshirmjager, i live real close to that menards,like not even a mile away. I dont go there often but Where do you live at?

It's electrical so that when your car is submerged in water & you really need to break the window to get out, the electric system shorts out & you drown?

what about the res q me tool key chain pocket version? I think it has a spring loaded thing. It would be nice to have that around instead of a larger version.

Supermark,

I have the Res-Q-Me pocket tool and I think they're great. I got two so I could really test one out. So far I've not found any side windows that can't be shattered with this little jewel.

Keeping my ageing Renault Scenic on the road requires the occasional visit to the scrapyard, so I can find lots of wrecks to test on. I can tell you now it won't even touch to windscreen so don't bother. Some rear screens can be shattered, but most will create a fist sized hole, which you can they open up yourself with whatever comes to hand ( taking suitable precautions of course this is glass we're talking about).

In allmost all cases the side windows just simply disappear. There's no effort involved with the Res-Q-Me, just push and bye-bye, no more window. Ok this works on all the European cars I've "tested", can't say about US cars as they are too few over here.