Smart drivers are always prepared. After all, you never know when emergencies will happen: snowstorms, road closures, severely cold temperatures, tire blowouts, unexpected engine failure, and the list goes on. While you can prevent many of these by following recommended auto maintenance, some are not quite foreseeable. With an emergency kit in your vehicle, you can ensure you have the supplies you need to handle the unexpected.
In the Event of an Emergency
An emergency kit is essential for any motorist. Safely tucked away in your truck or cargo hold, it gives you access to the gear you need to make quick repairs, get to your destination, and ensure your survival in extreme emergencies. You can find many basics for your kit at a reputable auto parts and supplies retailer:
- Duct tape and rope or paracord
- Fire extinguisher
- Ice scraper and snow brush
- Jumper cables or portable battery booster
- Multi-purpose tool or knife
- Spare tire and tire-changing kit
- Reflective warning triangles or flares
- Tire inflator and sealant
You may see portable battery boosters referred to as “jump starters.” They come in a wide range of models such as the Duralast’s portable battery jump starter and the NOCO Boost. Many of these double as both jump starters and extra power packs for charging USB devices.
Other critical essentials include bottled water and non-perishable food, warm clothing a blanket, and a rain poncho. You’ll also need a flashlight or headlamp. Don’t forget to include either a GPS unit or a set of current maps with a compass. Finally, your emergency gear should contain a first aid kit with basic medical supplies.
Helping Yourself & Others in Need
An emergency kit doesn’t just provide what you need when you need it most. You can also help out other motorists in need. Consider how many times you’ve needed a jump or jumped another driver’s vehicle. With jumper cables or a jump starter on hand, you can always lend assistance.
Jumping another vehicle with jumper cables is a straightforward process. You probably remember the basics: both vehicles should be off, in parking gear, and with their parking brakes on. You start by attaching your red jumper cable to the positive terminal of the dead battery, then attaching the other end of the red cable to the positive terminal on the live battery. Next, you connect one of the black clamps to the negative post of the working battery and the other black clamp to an unpainted metal surface.
Using a jump starter like the NOCO Boost Plus GB40 is even easier. You hook up the red cable on the jump starter to the positive battery terminal and the black cable to the negative post. Power the Boost Plus GB40 on and voila! The dead battery charges.
Road Ready…for Anything
No motorist should be without an emergency kit. With critical supplies on hand, you’ll be able to handle any predicament — whether it happens on a daily commute or a weekend excursion. Besides carrying the right equipment, you should also understand its proper use. By knowing NOCO Boost Plus GB40 how to use and other tools, you won’t be left struggling alone.
