In an emergency, your automobile can be a life-saver. It can move you from one location to another. It can provide heat, cooling, shelter, and even power if you have taken the proper steps to be able to use it to its potential.
Preparations:
Fuel
First, you need to make sure anytime there MAY be a weather event, or other possibility of an emergency, that you full fuel your vehicle. It is a great idea to never allow it to get below 1/8 of a tank. In most vehicles, when the gauge starts to drop much below 1/4 of a tank, you may not have enough fuel in the tank to completely cover the fuel pump in the tank. This can cause the pump to overheat, and fail prematurely. But just as importantly, if you have less than 1/4 tank, you might not be able to get out of a dangerous area to one of safety.
Safe and Reliable
Ensure your vehicle is well maintained and reliable. Most of the usefulness of your vehicle is gone if it doesn’t run. Not all, but most. So make sure it runs, starts without issues, and is safe to drive in bad weather.
Tires
Slick or worn-out tires are not safe in inclimate weather. Be it snow, ice, or just rain, slick or worn-out tires can cause you to lose control of the car and cause an accident.
Battery
Make sure your battery is in good working condition, and not getting near the end of its lifespan. Most batteries are good for 3-5 years on average. If your battery if close to, or more than, 5 years old, it might be a good idea to plan to replace it soon. Not only is it needed to start and run your vehicle, but if you have an inverter, it can be the power source to allow you to produce AC power in emergencies.
Jumper Cables or Jump Box
Jumper cables or another way to jump-start an automobile come in handy on a regular basis. Whether it is to start your own car, or to help someone else start theirs, these items get used several times each year for most people who have them. I can HIGHLY recommend the VTOMAN X1 Jump Starter with Air Compressor listed below. I have one for each vehicle, and we use them every year. It works great, and it has saved me enough money to pay for itself more than a few times over in the first year I owned one.
Food and Water
The most important survival factor, when it comes to food and water, is water. The “rule of 3” is a generalization that states a person can live for: 3 minutes without oxygen, 3 days without water, and 3 weeks without food. Of course, your situation will determine how true any of this is for you. But sufficient to say you need to have a decent supply of water in your vehicle at all times. I personally buy a flat (16-24 bottles) of water, and when I get low, I buy another. I use these personally from time-to-time, but I give out several each year to people (or pets) in need. It’s also a great idea to keep a few simple food items that will last at least a year (energy bars, canned soup, honey, peanut butter, etc.) since they can help you survive in an emergency if you get stranded, or if you get cut-off from your normal food source (home is destroyed, floods, blows away, burns down) or if you get stranded somewhere and have to wait for help. It can also be a lifesaver for others in an emergency situation. In hot weather, you will mainly need water, but in cold weather, your body will burn a lot of calories to keep warm.
Emergency AC Power
If you have good inverter, you can use your car as a mobile generator. You already have the motor, fuel, and battery. All you need to make it produce useable AC power, is a quality power inverter like the 2500 Watt Pure Sine Wave Inverter 12V DC to 120V. You will also need a good set of thick cables to connect it to your car battery. I recommend something like the 3 Foot 1/0 AWG Alligator Clamp Battery Cable with 5/16″ Ring Terminals that can connect directly to the terminals on the inverter, and easily be connected to, or removed from, your battery terminals. These wires need to be a heavy gauge (AWG) and short since they will be carrying a lot of amperage. Generally, I will connect the inverter to my battery, plug in the extension cords to run into the house, and then just gently close the hood so it doesn’t crush anything. I do not recommend you run the vehicle in this configuration unless you have a way to ensure nothing can move or interfere with the engine, belts, or radiator fan.
Other Tools and aids
There are a lot of things you can do to make sure you are able to provide for your own aid in case of a problem with your car. Keeping some sand or kitty litter in a small bag in the trunk will allow you to get traction on snow or ice if needed. An Emergency Mylar Thermal Blanket in the trunk (or a simple wool blanket or sleeping bad) can ensure you have a means to stay warm if you breakdown in cold weather or get stranded. A good Emergency Recovery Strap Tow Rope to help someone be able to pull you out if you get stuck, or to pull someone else out if they get stuck. Flares come in handy to let others know you need help, help them find you if you are off the road, or even just to use for light or to start a fire in an emergency. If you know how to use them, keep some basic hand-tools in your car just in case (wrenches, screw drivers, etc.). In most cases, you can get by with a quality multitool like the Gerber Gear Multi-Plier 600 – 14-in-1 Multitool which is also a great choice for EDC (Every Day Carry).
Recommended Emergency Preparedness Items for Vehicles:
VTOMAN X1 Jump Starter with Air Compressor
Gerber Gear Multi-Plier 600 – 14-in-1 Multitool
Emergency Food Bars
Slime 2040-A Deluxe Tire Repair Plug Kit
Slime 10011 Flat Tire Puncture Repair Sealant
Emergency Mylar Thermal Blankets
Emergency Sleeping Bag Survival Bag 2 Pack
2500 Watt Pure Sine Wave Inverter 12V DC to 120V
3 Foot 1/0 AWG Alligator Clamp Battery Cable with 5/16″ Ring Terminals
Tire Traction Mats Portable
Emergency Recovery Strap Tow Rope