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...