The Only Roadside Emergency Kit Checklist You Need

Most pre-made roadside kits are 60% stuff you'll never use and 40% stuff that's too cheap to work. Build your own for under $40 and know exactly what's in it.

The non-negotiables: 1) Jumper cables (4-gauge, at least 12 feet — short thin ones can't deliver enough current). 2) A flashlight with fresh batteries or a rechargeable one kept charged. 3) A tire pressure gauge. 4) A basic first aid kit (bandages, antiseptic, gloves). 5) Water — a gallon for drinking, another for the radiator if needed.

The Memphis-specific add-ons: 6) A reflective vest and warning triangles or flares — summer nights and fog make you invisible. 7) A phone charger that works without the car (power bank). 8) An ice scraper and gloves — yes, Memphis gets ice storms. 9) A small tool kit: screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench, duct tape. 10) A $20 bill in the glovebox for emergencies where cards won't work.

The winter layer: a blanket, hand warmers, and kitty litter or sand for traction if you slide off in ice. The summer layer: an extra gallon of coolant and a sunshade — a car that overheats in a Memphis August needs coolant, not just water.

Keep the kit in the trunk, not the cabin — and check it twice a year (when clocks change is a good reminder) to replace expired items and refresh batteries.

One more thing: program the right numbers into your phone now. Your insurance roadside line, your membership plan (if you have one), and a local 24/7 roadside company. When you're stranded at midnight, you don't want to be Googling reviews from the shoulder.