Our plush 21st-century lifestyle is pretty fragile. You’re only one downed power line from a power outage; one wave of panic buying away from shortages.
Staying mobile is key. That means you need to be capable of keeping your vehicle operational without help from anyone else.
There’s no time like the present, so here are a few ways you can prep your garage for emergencies.
This guide is for the average person with basic mechanical abilities. We’re not going to get too far into the weeds today; this is more about laying the foundation for automotive preparedness.
Table of Contents
Loading…
What You Need Before You Start
Must-Have Tools
- Common auto maintenance items
- Basic hand tools
- Fuel and oil
Nice-to-Have Tools
- Power tools
- Generator
- Air compressor
How to Prep Your Garage for Emergencies
Step 1: Stockpile the Basics
What’s the biggest, most immediate threat to your car? Probably a flat tire. If your car doesn’t already have a full-size spare tire, it might be worth picking one up. A basic tire on a steel wheel can be pretty affordable.
I also recommend keeping a tire repair kit handy. Plugging a flat isn’t the most enjoyable job, but it can make a punctured tire roadworthy again, and a whole kit is about the size of an IFAK.
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Next up are lightbulbs. These are a cheap way to avoid being stranded at night. Pick up one or two of each type your vehicle uses (headlights, taillights, and turn signals will take different kinds of lightbulbs).
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
You should change your oil filter with every oil change. Again, this is incredibly cheap insurance. For the price of some fancy, folded paper, you can protect your engine from premature wear and even failure. One or two of these on the shelf can buy you thousands of miles.
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Don’t neglect your air filter, either. These get clogged quickly if you have to drive off-road or cover lots of interstate miles. They’re cheap and take a few seconds to replace.
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Step 2: Equip Your Garage With the Right Tools
You can do a surprising amount of work on your car if you have the right tools. Here’s what I recommend to get the most for your money.
Hand Tools
The first and most important piece of gear in any garage is a good mechanics tool set.
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
This one from Craftsman has a nice assortment of sockets and wrenches for standard and metric sizes. Everything has a dedicated place in the toolbox, so you can find what you need and make sure everything is put away before you close up shop after a project.
I’ve used mine for ages, and it’s been invaluable. I’ve changed oil, replaced brake pads, swapped clutch packs, and replaced fuel pumps with this set. I rebuilt an entire dirt bike with it. When I rebuilt my old truck’s engine, this tool set handled a huge amount of the work.
Sometimes you’ll need extra leverage (looking at you, over-torqued lug nuts). A cross-shaped lug wrench, breaker bar, or cheater pipe can help break stubborn nuts and bolts free.
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
I will personally award you major bonus points if you also buy a torque wrench and follow the manufacturer’s specs for reinstallation.
Many jobs require your vehicle to come off the ground. For that, you’ll need a good jack and a set of jack stands.
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
You can get by with the bottle jack or scissor jack that came with your car, but a floor jack will help you work faster and easier. Stay away from unknown brands on Amazon, but I’ve had good experiences with GearWrench in the past. I built a motor with a GearWrench torque wrench, and there’s not a lot of room for error in that department.
Which one you choose will depend on your budget and the height of your vehicle. Low-profile jacks are great for cars, while pickups and SUVs often require a higher jack.
A lot of unibody vehicles require you to lift them by reinforced pinch welds under the body. To avoid damaging those, I recommend a simple adapter. You can also cut these from blocks of wood, if you’re so inclined.
Whichever jack you use, don’t trust it to hold your car up while you work on it. Use a set of jack stands with an appropriate load rating before crawling under several tons of steel.
Power Tools
Power tools are expensive, but there are jobs I wouldn’t want to tackle without them. Besides, many of them are useful around the house and yard, too.
You probably already have a drill for household chores, but grab an impact driver for automotive work. These are much better at breaking free corroded nuts and bolts, and will save you lots of time.
I once spent days cutting an axle nut off a rusty old truck before breaking down and buying a comically powerful impact for the other side. The next nut spun off so easily, I kicked myself for not taking the leap earlier.
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Again, stick to reputable manufacturers when it comes to impacts. If you already have a bunch of batteries for other tools, you might as well stick with that brand.
Dead batteries are never fun. They’re worse when you’re in an emergency situation. Keep a battery jumper in your vehicle so you’re always ready to bring it or someone else’s car back to life in a matter of minutes – without the need for a second vehicle.
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
I own a Jump-N-Carry JNC305 because I’ve seen the brand bring totally dead batteries back to life in seconds in salvage situations. It’s affordable and has more than enough power for the vehicles in my garage. Jumper packs are rated for certain engine sizes, so check those to make sure you’re getting enough power.
Speaking of power, a power station can keep all these power tools and your personal devices charged when the grid fails.
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Add a solar panel, and you could have a nearly indefinite power source. Just make sure to get a power station with a lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFePO4) battery, which will survive vastly more charge cycles than a lithium-ion battery.
The Jackery Explorer is always popular with the overlanding and car-camping crowds. Make sure to get this one, the Explorer 1000 V2, because it has a much better battery than the old version.
The Solar Lab has a fantastic breakdown of why the updated version is better and what to look out for – shoutout to those guys for being super helpful and transparent.
I like power banks more than gas-powered generators because they don’t require fuel, they’re more portable, and you have more sizes to choose from. The downside is cost. They’re expensive, so this is usually one of the last things people add to their prepper garage.
The upside is that you can use these for camping, short power outages caused by storms, and adding a layer of protection between a freezer full of meat and the outlet on your wall.
Another high-dollar garage upgrade is an air compressor. The compressor itself can be pretty affordable, but you’ll have to invest in hoses, tools, and accessories if you don’t already have them.
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
One time, I got stranded with two flat tires, so not even the spare could help me. I got enough air out of a bike pump to reach the nearest garage, but holy moly, that was a miserable 30 minutes of my life.
Air compressors are kind of a luxury in the world of tools, but I’d consider looking at one if you have the money. You can also convert to air tools instead of battery-powered tools, which some people prefer.
Step 3: Be Your Own Gas Station
The easiest way to set yourself up for success is to fill up at half a tank and stay ahead of oil changes and basic preventative maintenance. The next step is having enough supplies on hand to do the next one yourself if you need to.
Fuel & Stabilizer
One of the easiest prepper things you can do is fill up at half tank instead of waiting for the low-fuel light to come on. Keeping a can of gas in your garage is one step better.
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Even if your car isn’t very fuel efficient, a gallon or two of gas could make all the difference in an emergency.
Just remember that gasoline has a surprisingly short shelf life. If you keep a small stockpile in your garage, add the proper dose of fuel stabilizer to help it last longer. Whether you do that or not, it’s always a good idea to refresh your supply every so often. Once a month, pour your gas into your vehicle’s tank and refill the can at the gas station.
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
I’ve been using Sta-Bil fuel stabilizer to winterize my motorcycle for years. If it can keep old Italian injectors clean, I’m sure it’ll work for just about anything that burns gas.
Oil
Your car can go thousands of miles in between oil changes. I change my oil and filter every 5,000 miles, but some manufacturers recommend doing it every 10,000 miles or more.
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
With my luck, some kind of disaster would strike about 100 miles before my next one. A few quarts of oil, a filter, and basic tools can buy you another 5,000 miles of worry-free driving without being reliant on your local mechanic and their ability to get supplies delivered.
Everybody has their own preference for motor oil, so I’ll leave that up to you (read up on break-in oil if you really want to question your own existence). When in doubt, check your owner’s manual.
Some people like to keep coolant on hand, too. If you stock up, make sure that whatever you buy is compatible with the coolant that’s already in your engine. Mixing incompatible fluids can cause expensive problems that you probably aren’t going to fix in your garage during a crisis situation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not starting early enough: If you wait until it snows to buy a snow shovel, the store will probably be sold out. Buy early and enjoy the comfort of knowing you’re not reliant on supply chains or next-day delivery.
- Not training: Tools are just like firearms; ownership does not equal proficiency. Get handy with your gear before you’re on the clock.
- Letting fluids go stale: Gasoline has a shelf life; so does brake fluid once it’s opened. If your backup gas cans have been sitting for a month, pour that gas into your tank and buy fresh gas the next time you’re out.
- Not keeping auto parts up-to-date: Good news: you have a shelf full of spare bulbs, brake pads, and ball joints. Bad news: they’re all for a car you sold ten years ago. Keep your personal parts inventory relevant.
Meet the Experts
Editing this article is Scott Murdock. Scott has been wrenching on cars since he was a teenager, tackling everything from routine maintenance to an engine rebuild and a motorcycle restoration. He’s reviewed cars and motorcycles for publications like Everyday Driver, GearJunkie, HotCars, Military.com, Outdoor Life, and Roadtrippers.
Final Thoughts
There’s no way to prepare for every possible crisis, but a few simple steps can put you way ahead of where you are now.
The items on this list won’t keep your vehicle running indefinitely, but they’ll overcome the most common problems that an amateur mechanic can handle.
As always, weigh in with your favorite tools, tips, and tricks in the comments!
What’s in your garage? Let us know below. Looking for more ways to stay prepared? Check out our Survival & Prepping Ultimate Resource!
Latest Updates
- December 2025 Complete overhaul with new instructions, photos, and supporting content.
31 Leave a Reply
+1 on the Milwaukee impact wrench! I've had one for a few years and have no idea how I got along without one, it'll take lug nuts off a tractor or combine without breaking a sweat! I also really want to mention the Milwaukee battery powered air compressor, got one this fall had a flat on a fully loaded grain wagon around 24,000 lbs. worth and that little air compressor pumped that tire up in under a minute. I will always have it with me on any kind of trip. It also uses the same battery as that impact wrench.
Sounds like a great tool, thanks for the recommendation!
Great article, Scott.
Just curious; did the bullet come stock with your socket set (LOL).
Wait a minute... I think I know where my 9mm socket is, and why my pistol's been jamming!
Great article as usual, but I personally think staying off the roads is best if you can help it. Be stocked up so you are 100% ready for at least a few months and don't have to leave home. That has it's downsides too, of course. My tract home is no place to take a stand, for instance.
Staying under the radar and off the streets makes the most sense to me, but I agree that circumstances may force us to be mobile. Once you are out there, though, gas is going to be tough to get; you can only carry so much. I do have everything you suggest and do keep my cars topped off, but leaving home is kind of a last resort for me.
Thanks for all the great content you provide. I have learned much of what I know from PewPew Tactical and it is ALWAYS my first resource to go to if I need info on something SHTF-related subjects.
That means a lot, Al. Thank you for the kind words!
You forgot to mention the FIRST AID KIT……..EX-LG STOCK. But question, most of the medical supplies are temperature sensitive, where do I get a thermally stable “pelican” case to store it all?
This article is about keeping vehicles operational, but we have lots of other articles on first aid.
I'm inclined to recommend a Pelican cooler for temperature-sensitive medical supplies. I've been really happy with my Condition 1 case, too. Check them out if you want something a little more affordable, but still very strong.
Ok heres what I do and suggest . Think a Mad Max type of event . One thing If you have a newer car or truck if it fails you are out of luck even if you have a good OBD reader where are you going to obtain parts ?? It will take just one EMP or electrical failure and its all over even with that 80K ram diesel its electronic . (even my G 63 6X6 will be useless !!) Find out what it takes part wise for just basic operation and have extras all it takes as you know one chip to fail and its game over . I keep older trucks operational that have NO electronics a 1970s F 350 4X4 A Carb and points system set up as a service/fuel truck . also I collect older Mack trucks a true mechanical fuel system with a manual fuel shut off 2 are all wheel drive Ex oilfield units . They have air starters too no battery still start . And have a shop full of spares for both . you better store a LOT of fuel (here on the farm 1000 diesel and 250 gas) and get a REAL fuel can those plastic ones with that EPA spout is useless buy the metal spring flip top ones you see on job sites or military fuel cans (one problem they do tend to rust inside) Sta-Bil is not very good maybe 6 months it will work Star Tron is much better . buying rec gas that has no alcohol in it is best . Alcohol ruins cast fuel system components in the long run such as on a ATV or cycle . once the SHTF you will be on your own a engine powered air compressor and welder/generator because the grid will be down . Have a compass have paper maps too (truckers atlas with lamented pages is great )the ones in power will cut off the GPS to civilians use and the cell will go down too . If you have to bug out . being out in the country away from a large city is a advantage The roving mobs will be out of their known area and less likely to be out far knowing the country people will take them out without mercy if they try to pillage .
Love this, especially the part about collecting old trucks!
Tires are the most common failure in the professional trucking industry. And that is without a Zombie Apocalypses. And you will have more tire failures than any other failure on your vehicle. In disaster areas, there are more tire hazards than anything. from nail's, to roofing particles, tree branches, to car parts, and broken glass.
A good tire gauge is a must. Just by checking your tire pressure once a month will allow you to get the most out of your tires. I know the kit you recommended has a tire gauge. But a good tire gauge is worth spending the money on. Most kits like that have a cheap gauge. Use it twice and it breaks on the third tire.
Well said, Jerry. Spot on.
Just a few thoughts about your garage article::
A. Buy & use alcohol free gas, it lasts much longer & doesn't trash the rubber parts of your car - still add Stabil to stored gas!
B. THINK about your $50 battery impact wrench... Just go buy a REAL battery powered one. Milwaukee heavy duty 1/2" one About $360, & it will undue almost all over torqued lugnuts for your older customers. Carry in your car on trips!
C. How about a gallon of -20 windshield washer fluid?
D. Between now & when TSHTF, any time you have to replace a light bulb in your car, replace it w an LED bulb.. That one will last longer than you do! Just remember that some cars will then alter the blink rate, to suggest the light is burnt out when it is just fine.
E. Buy a couple of lug nuts for your car and keep them w the spare.. You will thank me if you ever lose one in the mud at night.
F. If you buy an aircompresser. Charge it up, and mess w it until its tank holds air w/o loss for a month. Murphy says most low or flat tires occur when the power is out. BTW, w an 8 battery, that Milwaukee torque wrench will unbolt and reattach at least 8 ten bolt truck tires.
These are all great tips, Allen. Thanks for weighing in. Now, I'm just waiting for the power tool brand warfare to start in the comments!
Very practical advice and common sense that EVERYONE needs to adhere towards.
Having lived in earthquake country for several years, you just never know what's going to happen.
I appreciate that, Mark. Stay safe out there.
Good, thoughtful article plus some good suggestions in the comments.
FWIW, all that stuff in the well equipped garage should include a security system to compliment the system in the house.
Thanks for reading! Totally agree on the security system, whether that's cameras, alarms, critters, or all three.
Great article. I do all of my regular maintenance on my vehicle and most repairs, rarely do I go to a mechanic.
I would also add jack stands (so you don't get crushed if your jack fails or falls over), windshield washer fluid, an ice scraper, and because this article is about emergencies I would add safety glasses and gloves (latex and thick mechanic). It sucks when you're underneath a vehicle and crap falls in your eye, or the tool slips off the bolt when you're really leaning into it to get it off and you cut your hand.
Also, an air pump, if you don't keep one in your vehicle already (which you should along with a gauge)
I'd suggest adding a volt-ohm meter and some slip-joint pliers and a gap gauge or feeler gauge - if the spark plug gap isn't right, you're asking for trouble. Even new plugs should be checked. Also, I'd add some means to top-off tire pressure, even if it's a manual bicycle pump (I use a HALO Bolt Air+ Car Jump Starter and Air Compressor w/AC Outlet - it works great to inflate tires to the correct pressure, and I had no problem at all jump-starting my wife's car with its tired (8.5 volt) battery after two years of Phoenix heat!).
As a mechanic, I have a few comments.
1. Headlight is a good choice to have in your vehicle - at least put one in the glovebox. Many vehicles only require 1 bulb per side of vehicle which will minimize cost. Keep in mind that many modern vehicles use HID bulbs which tend to cost around $100 and are incredibly fragile.
2. Oil. By bottles, I assume you mean 2-4 5 quart jugs of oil. Many vehicles may take 7-8 quarts for an oil change, and diesels tend to take 10-14 quarts. Make sure you get the appropriate weight for your car. European vehicles especially are very picky.
3. Oil filters. You're crazy. Change the damn filter when you change your oil. Filters are cheap and they can only hold so much crap.
4. Brake pads. You mentioned "good pads" and linked to $30 amazon pads. Expect to spend around $50 for most vehicles. Don't cheap out on brake pads.
5. A couple of inexpensive air filters is a great idea. Alternatively, you could also have a reusable air filter (like a K&N).
6. Spare battery. No. Just no. Batteries do have a shelf life - even with a trickle charger (which you did not mention having). Get a cheap battery tester and check it at least twice a year. If the tester says it bad, replace the battery. Most vehicles will get 5-7 years out of a battery, depending on climate.
7. Portable battery charger. Excellent choice.
8. Spark plugs. Most vehicles since the late '90s use iridium or double platinum plugs that have a service life around 100,000 miles. If you are nowhere near the service interval, there's no need to keep a set on hand. Add to that that a lot of Japanese vehicles' plugs cost about $15 each.
9. Fuses are a great choice. Don't just buy a random box though. Make sure the sizes fit your car. ATM, ATC, FMX, AGC, MICRO2, and about 10 others are common.
10. Antifreeze/coolant. Make sure it is the kind specified for you car, not universal stuff as pictured. That stuff is good in a pinch, but you don't want to mix the 7 or so different types.
11. Spare tire. Yes, if your car has the space for it. Fix-A-Flat also works quite well.
12. Lug wrench. Most definitely.
13. Lug nuts. Not a bad idea. If you have a Chrysler, Ford, Toyota, or a handful of others with a 2-piece lug nut, you should also replace all of those with a one piece design that is less susceptible to problems.
14. Jack. Definitely a must-have.
15. Gas. You could also consider buying a gallon of preserved gas to keep in your vehicle. Its pricey, but it is sealed and will last for a really long time.
16. Tools. Yes, have a decent set of tools. But spark plug pliers? Did you mean spark plug sockets? Sure, there's spark plug wire pliers, but I certainly would not consider them essential.
Tl;dr not a bad list for sending people in the right direction.
This was an excellent follow-up!
all that is fine...also a good idea to consider is putting a UPS on your garage door opener although most of the newer units have a battery backup...that way if the power goes out because of a fire or other calamity you still can exit the garage....important especially if you have an older wooden door
That would certainly be a nice luxury, but not absolutely necessary. If you pull on that rope with a handle that hangs from the overhead track, the door is free to move. You can still use the opener as the lock for the garage door. When you close the door, push on the on the latch until it clicks into place on the overhead track. I know this because I’ve been living with a broken garage door opener (and a garage to crammed with crap to park in) for years.
Maybe you can get ahead of this flop... but seriously?! Who wrote this article? The last thing you need in your vehicle for an emergency is a headlight bulb! Oil filter?!! Seriously.
Here is the real kit you need in your car for emergencies:
120+ piece self contained toolkit.
A wrench and socket that works for your wheels
A solid 20 ton bottle jack
2 or 3 2' pieces of 2x6 wood
Blankets
Running shoes
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
Gas can (empty)
Water
Military style shovel
This kit should serve as additional to your bug out bag.
This article is not the “bug-out” or in car emergency kit. If that’s what you are looking for go to the Pew Pew Tactical article for car survival kit. Maybe you didn’t catch the repeated use of the phrase “keep in your garage”. This article seems to be items to have available if you need to ensure your vehicle is operational during a longer term emergency. In my opinion, this is a pretty good list of things a well prepared family should have. In a longer term emergency these items would be hard to get and could be absolutely necessary. Many disasters involve failure of the power grid (California wildfires and Hurricane Katrina and Michael come to mind). Headlights would be critical if you needed to travel at night (or anytime in the wildfire situation). Honestly, after this article a spare headlight bulb is going in my in car kit.
I'm glad you enjoyed and appreciated it! Also glad that you found the information helpful. Thanks for the encouragement.
This article is aimed at things to stock in your garage. For car survival kits check out: https://www.pewpewtactical.com/car-survival-kit/
That's not the goal of the piece. The intent is to look at what a well-prepped at-home garage would look like.
The headlight bulb wouldn't be kept in the vehicle (neither would the spare battery, spare gas, fuse kit, brake pads, oil filter, or most other equipment on this list), it would be for an emergency garage part.
So if you didn't have access to a mechanic but still needed to ensure you had a working vehicle post-disaster, you would then have the parts you needed to do basic maintenance on your vehicle.
As far as gear for keeping in your vehicle in the event of an emergency, perhaps that's a future piece that could be written.
I thought the article was pretty good Aden! Apparently not everyone reads every word or they lack basic common sense. Anyway, I DO keep a pair of spare headlight light bulbs in my truck. It's a pain but they can be replaced in my truck without tools, and I've had them go out three times while on the road where you NEED headlights, not at home. They're small so easy to fit in any kit. It doesn't make sense to not have spares in your vehicle.
Hey, thanks! I'm glad you liked it!