Disaster preparedness for the car

Most people are completely unprepared for ordinary car problems.
For some reason car problems usually happen at night in the rain.

Updated 02mar10

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Some people need glasses to drive. They should keep a spare pair in each car. You can buy them over the Internet for $40. This way you can get home if something happens to your glasses or contacts.
Keep a full set of maps in every car, but don't waste space storing maps of places you don't go frequently.
Be sure every driver can change a tire alone.
Be sure every driver knows how to use jumper cables safely.
Keep jumper cables in the trunk. Remember that the acid residue on used jumper cables can ruin delicate things.
Keep a toolbox in every car. It should have work gloves, hose-clamps, zip-ties, both kinds of screwdriver, an adjustable wrench with an insulated handle, pliers, spare lug nuts, and spare fuses.
Keep a warm waterproof windbreaker in each car. It will fit in a big zip-lock bag. You or your passenger will forget to bring a jacket on a regular basis.
Keep a rain-poncho in each car, a disposable one will do. They are small.
Keep two flashlights with fresh batteries in every car. When batteries get old the flashlight will pretend to work in order to trick you. It will light for a minute or two and then fade. You think you have two working flashlights, but you really have none. The temperature extremes in a car are hard on batteries.
Keep a zip-kit in the car (see separate document).
Keep three flares and three light-sticks in your car.
Keep a gallon of water good for either drinking or the radiator. Replace it every 6 months.
Keep a quart of oil or two in your car.
Keep a spare gas cap and a few spare valve stem caps.
Keep a fire extinguisher that can handle oil fires. Don't bury it, you may need it quickly. Shake it vigorously every 6 months to keep the power from caking; the car's vibration packs the powder. Service or replace it when it expires.
Keep a magnetic key case with keys in it. Stick it somewhere improbable and difficult to get to. Juvenile delinquents prowl parking lots feeling under bumpers for these key cases.
Have hand cleaner and paper towels or hand-wipes in a convenient place for spills and dirty hands. Tissue or paper towels in your car can be used for toilet paper in an emergency; Very handy when traveling.
Keep some heat-resistant (non-synthetic) shoelaces, like leather bootlaces. Shoelaces wait until you are far from home to break. You can use them for emergency repairs if they do not melt.
If you sometimes wear impractical shoes (like heels), keep some practical shoes ziplocked in the trunk.
If you sometimes drive in rural areas, keep an extra gallon of drinkable water and some canned food. Replace every 6 months, the trunk is a harsh environment.
Bungie cords
A tire pressure gauge
If you have room in the trunk, keep a 72-hour kit. This is a bag containing everything you need to get by for 3 days. It is always handy to have a toothbrush and change of clothes. What if you want to spontaneously spend the night somewhere? This is invaluable if you cannot get home or have to leave in a hurry. The 72-hour kit is a separate document.

You will also need things that are not on this list.

If water starts coming up out of the storm drains, leave the area immediately. Three inches of water in a low spot blocks a road. If you try to drive through it your car could stall, and the car could be a loss. Less than 12 inches of water can float a car (this is bad). Most Americans that died in floods did so in their car.