When to Replace Emergency Roadside Kits
Everything you need to know about the lifespan, warning signs, and replacement timeline for emergency roadside kits.
The Short Answer
Emergency roadside kits contain components that expire or degrade at different rates. Flares expire in 3 to 4 years. Batteries in flashlights and radios lose charge. First aid supplies expire in 1 to 3 years. Check your kit every six months and before any long trip. The trunk of a car is one of the harshest storage environments for perishable supplies.
Why Emergency Roadside Kits Need Replacing
Vehicle trunks experience extreme temperature swings. Summer temperatures inside a closed trunk can exceed 150 degrees Fahrenheit; winter temperatures in northern climates can drop below zero. This thermal cycling degrades nearly every component in a roadside kit faster than identical items stored indoors.
Road flares contain a chemical compound (typically strontium nitrate) that oxidizes over time, especially in humid conditions. An expired flare may burn weakly, incompletely, or not at all. Batteries self-discharge at accelerated rates in heat. First aid medications degrade faster in temperature extremes. Rubber gloves become brittle. Adhesive tape loses its bond. Even bottled water stored in extreme heat can leach chemicals from the plastic.
Jumper cables and tow ropes are the longest-lasting components, but even these degrade: cable insulation cracks in cold, clamp springs weaken, and rope fibers break down from UV exposure if the trunk is frequently opened in sunlight.
Warning Signs It's Time to Replace
- Flares are past their printed expiration date
- Flashlight batteries are dead or corroded
- First aid supplies have passed their expiration dates
- Rubber gloves tear easily when stretched
- Reflective triangles or vests are faded or damaged
- Bottled water appears cloudy or the container is deformed from heat
- Jumper cable insulation is cracked or clamps are corroded
- The kit has not been inspected in over a year
How to Check the Age of Your Emergency Roadside Kits
Check expiration dates on flares, first aid supplies, and any medications. Test the flashlight and replace batteries if dim. Check the condition of rubber and plastic items by flexing them; if they crack or feel brittle, replace them. If you do not remember when you assembled or purchased the kit, assume it needs a full refresh.
Replacement Recommendations
Keep a checklist inside the kit lid showing what is inside and when each item was last replaced. LED road flares (battery-powered) eliminate the expiration issue of chemical flares and are reusable. Lithium batteries perform better than alkaline in temperature extremes. Include seasonal items: a blanket and hand warmers for winter, extra water for summer. A fully charged portable phone charger (power bank) is one of the most useful modern additions to a roadside kit.
The Bottom Line
Inspect your emergency roadside kit every 6 months and before long trips. Replace flares every 3 to 4 years, batteries annually, and first aid supplies as they expire. The trunk environment accelerates degradation of nearly everything. An emergency kit you assembled five years ago and never checked may not help when you need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
At minimum: jumper cables, road flares or LED warning lights, a flashlight with extra batteries, a basic first aid kit, a reflective warning triangle or vest, a tire pressure gauge, a multi-tool or basic toolkit, work gloves, a blanket, bottled water, and a portable phone charger. In winter, add an ice scraper, sand or kitty litter for traction, hand warmers, and extra warm clothing. Keep the vehicle's owner manual in the kit as well.
LED road flares have significant advantages: they are reusable, do not expire chemically, are visible in daylight and at night, are waterproof, and do not create a fire hazard. Traditional chemical flares burn hotter and brighter and are visible from greater distances, but they last only 15 to 30 minutes, expire after 3 to 4 years, and can ignite fuel spills. For most roadside situations, LED flares are the better choice. Consider carrying one of each.
Sources
- NHTSA Vehicle Emergency Kit
- AAA Emergency Roadside Kit
- American Red Cross Car Emergency Kit