DIY mechanic — 20+ years handling his own repairs, oil changes, and brakes
Updated June 20269 min read
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$150+
Average cost of a roadside tow
$75
Cost of all 7 tools combined
80%
Of breakdowns fixable with the right tools
Most important tool — start here
Lithium Jump Starter — NOCO Boost Plus GB40
The single most useful roadside tool you can own. Jump starts your car without a second vehicle, works in 30 seconds, fits in a glove box, and doubles as a power bank. A dead battery is the most common roadside breakdown — this fixes it in minutes.
Most common breakdown fixNo second car neededGlove box size
Problem
Dead battery on a cold morning, flat tire on the highway, check engine light with no idea what it means — and a tow truck that costs $150 and takes an hour to arrive.
Fix
Seven compact tools in your trunk that handle the most common roadside situations yourself — in minutes, without a second car or a mechanic.
Relief
Back on the road in under 30 minutes, $150 saved on the tow, and the confidence that comes from actually knowing what to do when something goes wrong.
Why Most Drivers Are Completely Unprepared for a Breakdown
I have been doing my own oil changes, brakes, and driveway repairs for over 20 years. In that time I have been stranded exactly once — because I did not have the right tool. A flat tire 40 miles from home, no plug kit, and a spare that turned out to be flat too. That tow cost me $180 and three hours. It was the last time I drove without the right kit in the truck.
The reality is that the majority of roadside breakdowns are fixable on the spot with basic tools and basic knowledge. Dead batteries, flat tires, overheating, and check engine lights account for the vast majority of roadside calls — and all of them are manageable if you have the right tools with you. The seven picks below are the ones I keep in my truck. They fit in a medium duffel bag, cost less than a single tow, and between them cover most of the situations that strand drivers on the side of the road.
7 Essential Car Emergency Tools — What Each One Fixes
Tool 1: Lithium Jump Starter — Fix a Dead Battery Without a Second Car
Tool 1 — Most Important
NOCO Boost Plus GB40 — 1000A Lithium Jump Starter
~$70
A compact lithium battery pack with jump start clamps that starts most gasoline engines up to 6 liters and diesel engines up to 3 liters. Connects to your battery terminals, waits 30 seconds, and starts the car. No second vehicle needed. Also works as a USB power bank for devices. NOCO is the most trusted brand in this category — the GB40 has been the top-selling jump starter on Amazon for years and the GB70 handles larger trucks and SUVs.
1000A peak currentNo second car neededGasoline up to 6LUSB power bankGlove box size
A dead battery is the most common reason drivers call for a roadside tow — and it is completely avoidable with a $70 jump starter. The old solution was jumper cables and hoping another driver would stop. The modern solution is a lithium jump starter that fits in a glove box, stays charged for months, and works in 30 seconds without any help.
I carry the NOCO GB40 in every vehicle I own. It has started my truck on a below-zero morning when the battery was reading 8 volts, and it has helped three other people in parking lots over the years. For larger trucks and diesel engines, step up to the NOCO GB70 or GB150. Match the jump starter’s rated amperage to your engine size — the specifications on the product listing will tell you exactly which engines it handles.
Scott’s tip: Charge your jump starter every 3 months whether you have used it or not. Lithium batteries self-discharge slowly over time. A jump starter with a dead internal battery is useless exactly when you need it. I charge mine every time I change my clocks — spring forward and fall back are the reminders that keep it ready.
How to Jump Start Your Car With a Lithium Jump Starter
1
Turn the ignition off
Make sure the car is completely off before connecting any clamps to the battery terminals.
2
Connect red clamp to positive (+) terminal
The positive terminal is usually marked with a red cover or a plus sign. Secure the red clamp firmly to the terminal post — a loose connection will prevent the jump from working.
3
Connect black clamp to engine ground — not the battery
Attach the black clamp to a bare metal point on the engine block or chassis, not the negative battery terminal. Connecting to the battery can cause a spark near hydrogen gas that batteries emit — a fire risk. The engine block or a metal bracket is safer.
4
Power on the jump starter and wait 30 seconds
Turn the NOCO unit on. The indicator will show it is ready. Wait 30 seconds before attempting to start — this gives the jump starter time to stabilize the circuit.
5
Start the engine — do not hold the key more than 5 seconds
Turn the key or press the start button. If it does not start within 5 seconds, release, wait 2 minutes, and try again. Holding the key longer than 5 seconds can damage the jump starter’s cells.
6
Disconnect and let the engine run 20+ minutes
Remove the black clamp first, then the red. Let the engine run for at least 20 minutes to recharge the battery through the alternator before turning it off again. If the battery dies again immediately, the battery needs replacing — it is not holding a charge.
Tool 2: Tire Plug Kit + Portable Inflator — Fix a Flat in 10 Minutes
Slime Tire Plug Kit + Portable 12V Inflator
~$25–40 combined
A tire plug kit with rasp tool, insertion tool, rubber plugs, and cement handles most nail and screw punctures in the tread area in about 5 minutes. Pair it with a 12V portable inflator that plugs into your car’s accessory socket to reinflate after plugging. Together these two tools handle the majority of roadside flat tire situations without removing the tire or changing to a spare. Not effective for sidewall damage or blowouts — those require a tow.
Fixes nail/screw punctures5-minute roadside repairNo jack neededTread area only
Scott’s tip: A plug is a field repair, not a permanent fix. Drive to a tire shop within 100 miles and have the tire professionally patched from the inside. A proper patch-plug from inside the tire is the correct repair — an exterior plug alone is not rated for highway speeds long-term. The plug gets you there safely; the shop makes it right.
Tool 3: OBD2 Code Reader — Know What the Check Engine Light Actually Means
ANCEL AD310 OBD2 Code Reader
~$25–30
Plugs into the OBD2 port under your dashboard — every car made after 1996 has one, usually under the left side of the dash — and reads the diagnostic trouble code that triggered the check engine light. The ANCEL AD310 is the most popular entry-level OBD2 scanner on Amazon. Tells you the exact code, a plain-language description, and whether it is an emissions issue, a sensor failure, or something mechanical. Prevents paying a shop $100 to tell you your gas cap was loose. Essential tool for any DIYer, also see our guide to the best DIY auto maintenance products.
Works on all cars 1996+Plain-language code descriptionsClears codes after repairUnder $30
Tool 4: Tow Strap — Get Out of Mud, Snow, or a Ditch
Heavy Duty Tow Strap — 20,000 lb Rated
~$15–20
A 20-foot, 20,000 lb rated tow strap connects your vehicle to another for vehicle recovery — pulling out of mud, snow, sand, or a shallow ditch. Stores flat in a small bag. Works with hooks on most modern vehicles or through the tow hooks that most cars have at the front and rear bumper. Unlike a tow rope, a rated strap has stretch that absorbs the jerk load when the pulling vehicle takes up slack. Every truck, SUV, and off-road vehicle should have one.
Tool 5: Rechargeable Work Light — See What You Are Doing After Dark
Rechargeable LED Work Light or Headlamp
~$15–25
A magnetic rechargeable LED work light or a headlamp are both essential for roadside work after dark. The work light’s magnetic base sticks to the engine bay or door frame, freeing both hands. A headlamp keeps your field of view lit wherever you look. A phone flashlight is not enough — it occupies one hand, does not reach into engine compartments, and drains the battery you need to call for help if the tools do not work. Rechargeable USB models are the best option — no AA batteries to run out at the wrong moment.
Magnetic base or headlampUSB rechargeableHands-free operationSafety visibility too
Tool 6: Multi-Tool — One Tool for a Hundred Roadside Problems
Leatherman Wave+ Multi-Tool
~$80–100
Pliers, wire cutters, knife, screwdrivers, file, and 14 more tools in one pocketable unit. The Leatherman Wave+ is the most consistently recommended multi-tool for automotive and general use — I have had mine for 15 years and it has been used on more roadside situations than I can count. For under $100 you get a tool that handles loose battery terminals, cut zip ties, stripped screws, broken clamps, and dozens of other small problems that strand drivers who do not have the right tool. If you are buying one multi-tool to keep in a vehicle, this is the one.
18 tools in onePliers · knife · screwdrivers25-year warranty15+ years in Scott’s truck
Tool 7: Emergency First Aid Kit — Because Accidents Happen
YOLETO 275-Piece Emergency First Aid Kit
~$20–25
A compact first aid kit covers the minor injuries that happen during roadside work — cuts from tools, scrapes from getting under the car, or helping someone else at an accident scene. The YOLETO 275-piece kit includes bandages, gauze, antiseptic wipes, gloves, a cold pack, scissors, tweezers, and more in a waterproof bag. It takes up almost no space and is one of those tools you hope you never need — until the one time you do. Every vehicle should have one, full stop.
Know when to call the tow: These tools fix the most common roadside situations — not all of them. If your engine is overheating and does not cool down after 30 minutes, call the tow. If you have a blowout or sidewall damage, the tire is done. If the check engine code indicates internal engine or transmission failure, do not drive it. The goal is to fix what is fixable and recognize what is not.
Related fix: If you do your own oil changes, the right drain pan makes the job significantly cleaner. Our guide to the best oil drain pans for DIY oil changes covers the NEIKO 20761A (Amazon’s Choice) and everything else you need for a clean driveway oil change.
Common Questions About Car Emergency Tools
The seven tools every driver should keep in their car are: a lithium jump starter, a tire plug kit with portable inflator, an OBD2 code reader, a tow strap, a rechargeable work light, a multi-tool, and a first aid kit. These seven cover the most common roadside situations and fit in a medium-sized bag in the trunk. Total cost is under $250 — less than two tow bills.
A lithium jump starter lets you jump start your own car without another vehicle. Connect the red clamp to the positive terminal and the black clamp to a metal ground point on the engine block — not the negative terminal. Turn on the jump starter, wait 30 seconds, then start the car. Modern lithium jump starters are compact enough to fit in a glove box and powerful enough to start most gasoline and diesel engines.
A check engine light means your car’s OBD2 system has stored a diagnostic trouble code. An OBD2 scanner reads the exact code and tells you what triggered it. Many codes are for minor issues like a loose gas cap, a faulty oxygen sensor, or a misfiring spark plug — all fixable by a competent DIYer. Without a scanner you are guessing. With one, you know exactly what the problem is before deciding whether to fix it yourself or take it to a shop.
Yes — for most punctures caused by nails or screws in the tread area. A tire plug kit and portable inflator let you plug the hole and reinflate in about 5 minutes. Get the tire professionally patched from the inside within 100 miles. A plug is a field repair, not a permanent fix. It does not work for sidewall damage or blowouts — those require a tow and a new tire.
Pull over immediately when the temperature gauge hits red. Turn off the AC and turn on the heater to draw heat from the engine. Turn the engine off and wait at least 30 minutes before opening the hood. Never open the radiator cap on a hot engine. Check the coolant level in the overflow reservoir once cooled. If low, top it off and drive slowly to a shop. If it overheats again, have it towed — driving an overheating engine causes catastrophic damage.
DIY mechanic — oil changes, brakes, and driveway repairs for 20+ years
I have been doing my own oil changes, brakes, filters, and driveway repairs for over 20 years. Every tool on this list lives in my truck. The jump starter has saved me twice. The multi-tool has saved me more times than I can count. These are not theoretical recommendations — they are what I actually carry. Read more about Scott →
Ready to stop calling for tows?
Start with the NOCO lithium jump starter — it fixes the most common breakdown and pays for itself the first time you use it instead of calling a $150 tow truck.
