Budget vehicle EDC toolkit - the essentials EVERYONE needs in their car
Don't leave home without having these essential tools in your car or truck to be prepared for emergencies. Here are the top things I think you should keep in your vehicle.
Disclaimer: Although I bought most of these items myself, I was provided products for free from Workpro (multitool), Wurkkos (flashlight), Sofirin (flashlight, I bought the headlamp), 711L (sachets), GOOLOO (jumpstarter and inflator), XTOOL (ODB) but I asked for products to review and all opinions are my own.
Emergency tool ------
ResQme car escape tool ($8)
amzn.to/3T0LxFP
Multitool ----------
WORKPRO 18-in-1 Multitool - Budget pick, Wave+ clone ($30, $25 on sale)
amzn.to/3whfkRz
BIBURY Multitool ($60, $40 on sale) - Surge clone, upgrade pick
amzn.to/42KhIwD
Makita 8 piece impact socket set ($20)
Metric: amzn.to/3I3txo4
SAE: amzn.to/49DKYXX
KESI 13 piece socket set ($41) - upgrade pick
amzn.to/498pLF1
711L rachet - No retention in Bibury so can fall out
1/4 adapter: amzn.to/49HkOnj ($20)
Swivel: amzn.to/48fmYtf ($40)
Flashlight ------
Wurkkos FC12 ($38, $34) - long throw flashlight
** Use Code: 3XQV9PE5 to save up to 30% through 2024-4-10 **
amzn.to/3SsHb90
Sofirn SC29 ($42, $32) - warmer, more even flashlight
** Use code 1017RAEQ for 10% off **
amzn.to/3SuvbE3
Sofirn IF23 ($60, $56) - 4000 lumen, side lantern w/RGB
** Use code 10B68IIR for 10% off **
amzn.to/49fPAU2
RovyVon A8
amzn.to/3JCoawH
Headlamp ------
BOBKID ($24/2 pack, $10 on sale = $5 each) - budget pick
amzn.to/3ONyF3k
sofirn HS ($30) - mini flashlight with headlamp band, value pick1100 Lumens, Right Angle, IPX8
amzn.to/49j6NMx
Nitecore NU25 ($40) - super light headband, upgrade pick400 lumen, USB-C, IP66
amzn.to/3I4v6Sx
Jumpstarter ------
GOOLOO GE1200 Jump Starter ($90, $70 sale) - budget pick
2,000A, light, basic
amzn.to/48nFU8W
GOOLOO GT4000 jump starter ($200, $130 on sale) - upgrade pick
4,000 amps, light, 100W USB-C PD power bank rechargeamzn.to/42FlyHf
EVA Case for GT4000 ($25)
amzn.to/49Hpzxf
VTOMAN X7 Jump Starter with Air Compressor ($190, $110 on sale)
amzn.to/48AP2rf
Tire inflator ------
R8 12v tire inflator ($40, $22 on sale) - budget pick
amzn.to/4alqeVe
GOOLOO GT160 Tire Inflator ($80, $60 on sale) - upgrade pick
160PSI inflator with digital display, light, power bank. Enter PSI (see door) and go
amzn.to/42M3hYW
Other Tools --------
Sharpie, 5 pack ($5, $1 each)
amzn.to/3SLck7A
WD40 pen, 3 pack ($15 - $5 each)
amzn.to/3SLck7A
Bic Mini Lighter, 8 pack ($10 - $1.25 each)
amzn.to/3woCXIg
Disposable gloves, 100 pack ($12)
amzn.to/3uMtmdw
Terminal cleaner ($6)
amzn.to/3T0Tb2P
Dielectric grease ($11, $8 on sale)
amzn.to/3UJWSeB
Automotive fuses, 300 pieces ($14)
amzn.to/3V3RrYn
Reflective Vest, 2Pack ($13, $8 on sale = $4/ea)
amzn.to/3SEASzj
Emergency Roadside LED Flares ($33 = $16/ea)
amzn.to/4bCA0nj
Apple AirTag ($30, $24 on sale)
amzn.to/3x6e7wY
Garmin inReach Mini 2 ($36)
amzn.to/3IOxEVl
OBD diagnostic tool ---------
XTOOL Advancer AD20 Pro ($30)
amzn.to/49nVvaa
First Aid Kit -----------
First Aid Only 442 basic kit ($21)
amzn.to/489v3Q3
Make your own first aid kit - Costs ~$95
Note: Prices are for the amount used in kit, some of these are multi-packs
EMS Emergency Medical Trauma Bag ($13)
amzn.to/48mvZAG
QuikClot Advanced Clotting Gauze ($22)
amzn.to/49FdVCP
Sterile Compressed Gauze ($6)
amzn.to/49GTPrI
Self-Adhesive Wrap Tape ($3)
amzn.to/3uIhJ7x
Nexcare Cloth Tape ($3)
amzn.to/3uBjALt
6" Israeli Style Emergency Compression Bandage ($8)
amzn.to/3wnBTUQ
Emergency Wound Closure Device ($27)
amzn.to/3uDbX7g
8” Medical Trauma Shears ($4)
amzn.to/3ONoY4Z
Disposable Nitrile Gloves ($1)
amzn.to/3OQOMNE
Tourniquet, 3 Pack ($6)
amzn.to/48qbNhj
Pill bags
amzn.to/3uEk3wl
CPR shield
amzn.to/49ZMN1W
Chapters --------------------------
00:00 Intro
0:24 Emergency escape tool
1:34 Multitools
4:24 Flashlights
8:04 Headlamps
9:56 Maps
11:32 Jumpstarters
13:08 Tire inflators
14:32 First aid kits
16:04 More tools
16:35 Roadside safety gear
16:51 OBD scanner
17:21 Apple AirTag
17:38 Snacks & water
18:08 Garmin InReach
18:27 Winter gear
Hi all! Links to all the products mentioned are there: ResQme car escape tool ($8) - amzn.to/3T0LxFP Multitool ---------- WORKPRO 18-in-1 Multitool - Budget pick, Wave+ clone ($30, $25 on sale) amzn.to/3whfkRz BIBURY Multitool ($60, $40 on sale) - Surge clone, upgrade pick amzn.to/42KhIwD Makita 8 piece impact socket set ($20) Metric: amzn.to/3I3txo4 SAE: amzn.to/49DKYXX KESI 13 piece socket set ($41) - upgrade pick amzn.to/498pLF1 711L rachet - No retention in Bibury so can fall out 1/4 adapter: amzn.to/49HkOnj ($20) Swivel: amzn.to/48fmYtf ($40) Flashlight ------ Wurkkos FC12 ($38, $34) - long throw flashlightamzn.to/3SsHb90 Sofirn SC29 ($42, $32) - warmer, more even flashlight amzn.to/3SuvbE3 Sofirn IF23 ($60, $56) - 4000 lumen, side lantern w/RGB amzn.to/49fPAU2 Headlamp ------ BOBKID ($24/2 pack, $10 on sale = $5 each) - budget pick amzn.to/3ONyF3k sofirn HS ($30) - mini flashlight with headlamp band, value pick1100 Lumens, Right Angle, IPX8 amzn.to/49j6NMx Nitecore NU25 ($40) - super light headband, upgrade pick400 lumen, USB-C, IP66 amzn.to/3I4v6Sx Jumpstarter ------ GOOLOO GE1200 Jump Starter ($90, $70 sale) - budget pick 2,000A, light, basic amzn.to/48nFU8W GOOLOO GT4000 jump starter ($200, $130 on sale) - upgrade pick 4,000 amps, light, 100W USB-C PD power bank rechargeamzn.to/42FlyHf EVA Case for GT4000 ($25) amzn.to/49Hpzxf VTOMAN X7 Jump Starter with Air Compressor ($190, $110 on sale) amzn.to/48AP2rf Tire inflator ------ R8 12v tire inflator ($40, $22 on sale) - budget pick amzn.to/4alqeVe GOOLOO GT160 Tire Inflator ($80, $60 on sale) - upgrade pick 160PSI inflator with digital display, light, power bank. Enter PSI (see door) and go amzn.to/42M3hYW Other Tools -------- Sharpie, 5 pack ($5, $1 each) amzn.to/3SLck7A WD40 pen, 3 pack ($15 - $5 each) amzn.to/3SLck7A Bic Mini Lighter, 8 pack ($10 - $1.25 each) amzn.to/3woCXIg Disposable gloves, 100 pack ($12) amzn.to/3uMtmdw Terminal cleaner ($6) amzn.to/3T0Tb2P Dielectric grease ($11, $8 on sale) amzn.to/3UJWSeB Automotive fuses, 300 pieces ($14) amzn.to/3V3RrYn Reflective Vest, 2Pack ($13, $8 on sale = $4/ea) amzn.to/3SEASzj Emergency Roadside LED Flares ($33 = $16/ea) amzn.to/4bCA0nj Apple AirTag ($30, $24 on sale) amzn.to/3x6e7wY Garmin inReach Mini 2 ($36) amzn.to/3IOxEVl OBD diagnostic tool --------- XTOOL Advancer AD20 Pro ($30) amzn.to/49nVvaa First Aid Kit ----------- First Aid Only 442 basic kit ($21) amzn.to/489v3Q3 Make your own first aid kit - Costs ~$95 Note: Prices are for the amount used in kit, some of these are multi-packs EMS Emergency Medical Trauma Bag ($13) amzn.to/48mvZAG QuikClot Advanced Clotting Gauze ($22) amzn.to/49FdVCP Sterile Compressed Gauze ($6) amzn.to/49GTPrI Self-Adhesive Wrap Tape ($3) amzn.to/3uIhJ7x Nexcare Cloth Tape ($3) amzn.to/3uBjALt 6" Israeli Style Emergency Compression Bandage ($8) amzn.to/3wnBTUQ Emergency Wound Closure Device ($27) amzn.to/3uDbX7g 8” Medical Trauma Shears ($4) amzn.to/3ONoY4Z Disposable Nitrile Gloves ($1) amzn.to/3OQOMNE Tourniquet, 3 Pack ($6) amzn.to/48qbNhj Pill bags amzn.to/3uEk3wl CPR shield amzn.to/49ZMN1W
If you're just keeping shit in your car you don't need to deal with the goofy multitool sockets. You can just quite literally buy a ratchet and socket set for 15 bucks. Walmart has one wjth a spark plug socket, wrenches, sockets, hex and torx, screwdriver, vise grips, tire pressure gauge for 15 bucks. No need to pay more for crap that's just going to sit in the car and be small. Normal size is small enough to fit under your seat.
Great kit! A jump starter like that has been an absolute game changer for me. I’d recommend adding a pair of work gloves to the kit as well for when you have to make a minor repair.
Great tip!
The idea of downloading offline maps to your phone was excellent! I paused the video and downloaded 4 maps that serve to cover my state, with some overlap. Thanks for that!
That’s great! It’s a bit hidden but has saved me a bunch out west
Todd, I really appreciate these style of videos you put out (the kits). They are well thought out, honest, and I enjoy that you include things that are practical in terms of application and price.
Thanks, I really appreciate hearing that!
This is an all-inclusive list that includes extra clothing/gear for COLD weather, just in case. I personally keep 1/2 dozen 1oz foil paks of Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter, for nutrition. Being able to deal with the 2 most likely vehicle problems - a flat tire & or a dead battery - you have the battery covered with that lithium battery powered jump starter. I also have a Tire Inflator so I can add a few pounds of air to a tire when needed. I just placed an order for 3 ResQMe Car Escape tool for me & a couple of friends. Warm Regards from Reno, Nevada, U.S.A.
I would add a high visibility safety vest. You can get them for under $5. And some electric flares. They are 3 for $20 for the good ones. These 2 things can save your life if you have to do anything on the side of the freeway. Like fixing a tire or walking along the freeway. Other than that this looks like a great kit. The cost of things is always a hard balance. I decided on the $110 Swiss army multi tool but not every one can afford that for something used maybe twice a year.
Thanks! I covered those very things around 16:00 but I'm not surprised you didn't make it all the way through, it's a longer one
Good to know. I watched it to the end but was heavily using the 10 second skip so I missed that.
Good video, I enjoyed watching through your choices. On the medical stuff, love that you're prepared, a few tips from a pro to fine tune your kit if helpful. (1) take the TQ out of the wrapper, if the unlikely event you ever need it then you'll need it absolutely immediately. (2) quick clot gauze isn't really worth your money in future, the data shows no tangible difference to regular compressed gauze. (3) ditch the face shield and focus on good quality chest compressions in a cardiac arrest scenario, as you're much more likely to save that person with good quality compressions until professionals arrive than you are faffing about with a face shield to give in-effective rescue breaths (guidance has changes in a lot of places now as the data doesn't support rescue breaths being effective, with the exception of (1) young children where 5 rescue breaths should be prioritised as it's far more likely to be a respiratory cause than a cardiac cause, and (2) drowning for obvious reasons).
Appreciate all the great advice, thanks!
One very cheap, lightweight, and space conscious item is an extra set of tire caps. Someone once stole mine/trolled me and I didn't have any extras. They're also great just in case you lose one.
Great video as always.
Glad you enjoyed it
Very well done 👍
Thanks so much!
Add a skin stapler and rapid seal bleeding gel to your kit. It honestly saves so much time in an emergency. Once you patch up a wound you'll be like, "wait that's it???" So fast and simple.
Super glue has kept me alive, ... so far. 🙂
Great video.
Glad you enjoyed it
the NU25 is amazing, I love the very low lumen output you get with a double click for reading and close quarters
would add metal zip ties and/or couple sizes of worm gear pipe clamps, in case your exhaust or something that gets hot needs to be temporarily held in place
Good ideas
The wire brush is a good tool to have, but for maintenance to prevent emergencies rather than to react to them.
💯
Great video. For laminated glass, the Victorinox Rescue Tool is great. Not cheap, but few other tools have a glass saw. For cheap flashlight, I suggest the Wurkkos FC13s which is usually on sale for $30 and has power bank capability. The Sofirn IF23 has one of the most annoying interfaces I've seen, but is very bright and power bank. The Wurkkos TS22 is even brighter, often on sale for $40 and has power bank too. I think the Nitecore headlamp is hard to beat with the string strap making it super small to pack. Even my older jump starter li-ion battery still works great. It makes it SOOOOO easy to jump people in trouble and it stays charged for years. Instead of alcohol wipes which can damage tissue, I found benzalkonium chloride wipes on Amazon that don't sting and clean cuts and wounds up.
Thanks for the tips!
I've tried using Fix-a-flat many times with zero luck. Recently, I had two flat tires, and I mean all the way flat! Since the tires were completely flat, I removed the schrader valve and put a half can in each tire. Then, I used my portable compressor to pump the tires up. This did the trick. To think I could have had success all these years!
Yeah I haven’t had much luck but might as well give it a go, seems it sometimes works out
@todd.parker It worked on two tires for my riding mower, too. It definitely works, but the fix a flat won't serve to inflate the tire when the schrader valve is out. So, you need to have an inflator on the ready. Also, I know this sounds obvious, but I'll say it anyway. Make sure and have the valve stem at least a few inches from the bottom position, so the fix-a-flat doesn't spooge out. Then after you replace the schrader valve, drive the car for a bit at slow speed, like the can says. Now I have some confidence in having some fix-a-flat in my emergency kit!
As a retired mechanic I can tell you that fix a flat is usually used far too late and for tires damaged beyond repair. It's also incompatible with TPS systems. A plug kit and a pump makes a lot more sense. If you check your tires once a week you can likely catch a leak before the tire goes flat and have it repaired or fix it yourself before you get stranded.
My father in law is a recovering 'flashaholic' so seeing all these great brands I'm familiar with was fun. Great breakdown of excellent products, Todd!
Thanks Jason!
I am a total flashlight aficionado. I, too, like the Sofrin Brand. My EDC flashlight is the Sofrin SP35T. It's so bright I roast house flys with it.
Glad to hear I picked some good flashlights. The choices are a little overwhelming!
@todd.parker Overwhelming to say the least! Again, I'm am a serious LED flashlight guy. I've owned hundreds of nice LED flashlights. What's weird is, I've paid over $200 for some of them. But the absolute best pocket flashlight I've ever owned is The Sofrin SP35T. It's 3800 Lumens, and uses a 21700 rechargeable Li-ion battery. At a paltry $35, I bought myself one and bought 5 more to give out as gifts. Sofrin has my absolute respect in terms of quality and value!
Hi Todd! You noted that bits can possibly fall out from the BIBURY multitool's bit driver... could an appropriate sized mini neodynum magnet be superglued at the driver shaft base without impeding the setting for the bits? (If it can, the magnet can help aid in bit retention.) Thank you for your interesting, practical, and thoughtful kit sugggestions. All the Best! 🇺🇸 🏕 🌲
Yep, that should work
I guess that sofirin people have seen olights when they have designed those lights.
curious how you evaluated minivans and chose Pacifica. A video on that to your level of quality would be appreciated
Hmm, interesting. As you can tell I analyze everything to death.
Thank you for going into detail on these items, and providing the links.
You are so welcome!
Better off getting a legit Leatherman from the lower end of their price range than a knock-off in my opinion. Something like the Leatherman Bond, cheap as chips and very functional.
A Leatherman is definitely better and I own a few. I just don't think I'd personally want to leave my precious Surge in the car for a "just in case" tool that wouldn't get much use when I'd rather have it on me and buy something less expensive to leave in the car. The BIBURY 32-in-1 Pro multitool is surprisingly good and improves on the Surge in some ways. Can't beat $40 too
How did you know which brands to go with because some are not popular name brand items
I did a lot of research and looked at reviews from people I trust. For example Project Farm does incredible, unbiased product testing so I went with his top picks for affordable jump starters - kzhead.info/sun/lbGRqdOBeXyvfXk/bejne.htmlsi=vKxCjjLP--EB3qDd - I also watched flashlight and multi tool reviews from MaxLVL EDC and other EDC channels, poured through Amazon ratings, and based my final recs on what things I actually own and tested. I kind of get obsessed researching to make sure I’m getting the best value and quality for what I need, these videos are mostly me documenting what I’ve found for those that don’t want to go so deep on research,
@@todd.parker I love and appreciate the obsession. Thank you for work and explanation
For your trauma supplies: Those should be on top. They should be the very first things you have access to when you open the bag. If someone has a massive arterial bleed or has a compromised airway, and you have the proper training and supplies to intervene, they can die in as little as three minutes. So, quite literally, every second counts. Open the tourniquet and stage it properly for quick access (it doesnt need to be in a sanitized package since it wont be touching the wound) Or even better, mount it to the outside of the bag so you can save the crucial seconds from having to dig into the bag to get it. Also, im not familiar with this specific brand, so please double check it and find reviews from EMTS to verify that it is a reliable brand. Others that i know and would actually trust: - North American Rescue CAT Tourniquet - Swat T Tourniquet - Soft T Tourniquet - RATS Tourniquet - RevMedX Ratcheting Tourniquet
Excellent advice, thank you
I like the cut of yer jib Todd
Thank you, sir
Take my money
LOL
@@todd.parker how did you figure out to pick that jumper starter vs a more established brand like NOVO or Weego.
Pro-tip for the UV light - use it to charge your real watch's lume. Blasting my watch for a min before bed has it glow all the way through the night.
Missing duct tape
I have it packed into my kit near the end of the video, essential stuff
Cant go wrong with Gorilla duct tape
At 16:10
I’d recommend adding some electrical tape and zip ties
I live in Texas, and, besides an ordinary first aid kit, I have a heat emergency first aid kit. I added that after we had to aid a cyclist having a heat emergency.
Fix a flat is a waste
Yeah, I generally agree but I’ve heard stories of it working so I chuck a can in my winter gear just in case. The one time I tried it it didn’t work
All I have to say is DON'T CHEAP OUT on tourniquets. You have four minutes and that's it!, when a tourniquet is needed. The grim reality is that funerals cost more than a tourniquet. Hopefully you'll never need one but learn how to use one if you add it to a vehicle emergency kit. Four minutes really isn't that much time in a life and death situation.
Good advice
Don't get/recommend trash tourniquets from places like Amazon/eBay/Aliexpress. They are trash imitations and WILL fail in the worst of situations. Rhino rescue is a (very) small step above as it has been "tested" in several videos but it's simply not an alternative for proper tourniquets.
I was waiting to hear comments like this, I understand the concern with lower quality tourniquets. I debated buying a more expensive version but didn't want to break the bank for a just in case piece of equipment. I should have covered the real stuff in the video if people wanted to upgrade to something legit.