what's in your emergency kit?

[Tweak155]

I've only had a few things happen before, but I still keep some minimal stuff.

One time I had a tire blow on the freeway when I was a teenager. It sucked changing the tire with cars flying by me at 70mph+, but what choice did I have? I had to pull into the center shoulder so I was right by the fast lane.

Another time I had my tire go, it was RIGHT in front of a tire place, I just pulled in there and let them do the work and put on a new tire.

One time I got stuck on the freeway due to a hazardous spill up the road. Had to stay the night in my (rental) car. It was something like 9 degrees out before windchill. Luckily I keep at least a quarter tank at all times in winter weather... was able to run the car all night to keep warm.

Other times were just battery problems, I have always kept jumper cables since as long as I can remember. It has helped myself and others a few times.

 

[SithSolo1]

If I ever left the city I would have something more than my cell phone but I dont so I dont.

 

[Wuzup101]

The last time I had a flat (tire was shredded) I had AAA come flat bed me home. I had to get home anyway, and I pay for the service anyway, so why not. He dropped the car off in front of my house. I pulled it in the garage, put it on stands, and put on my winter set of wheels/tires (it was November anyway). The spare I had with me wouldn't have matched my summer tires diameter anyway, but even if it did... I would have still done the same thing. It's a bit different if I get a flat in a parking lot 5 miles from home. I'm not changing the tire on a busy interstate unless there is an absolute need to do so.

 

[rh71]

I laugh when I see a grown man standing on the side of the road with a flat tire and AAA is there changing it for him. The last time I had a flat tire I was on my lunch hour and wearing a white button down shirt and khakis and I pulled over to the side of the road, rolled up my sleevers and changed it myself.

What kind of pussy can't change a flat tire?

Before I got my torque wrench I didn't realize how tight the shops can randomly torque the bolts. Even if you ask for a certain spec they dont always care. With a traditional wrench on the side of a highway you can't always get the bolts off. Not without a much longer pipe for leverage which I had to use often in my driveway, but the last time that didn't even work so I had to drive back to the shop (not a flat) so they could use their gun. Then I retorqued back to 103lb/ft as per spec. Goes to show how far past it they went. It's a good thing I wasn't on the side of a highway and I needed that wheel off. Now I redo all the bolts myself at home after visiting a shop that touches them.

Speaking of which, it's really not worth risking your life with cars passing by at 70mph so if you can get it off the highway by tow that would be ideal. Tow reimbursement via insurance is cheap.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Before I got my torque wrench I didn't realize how tight the shops can randomly torque the bolts. Even if you ask for a certain spec they dont always care. With a traditional wrench on the side of a highway you can't always get the bolts off. Not without a much longer pipe for leverage which I had to use often in my driveway, but the last time that didn't even work so I had to drive back to the shop (not a flat) so they could use their gun. Then I retorqued back to 103lb/ft as per spec. Goes to show how far past it they went. It's a good thing I wasn't on the side of a highway and I needed that wheel off. Now I redo all the bolts myself at home after visiting a shop that touches them.

Speaking of which, it's really not worth risking your life with cars passing by at 70mph so if you can get it off the highway by tow that would be ideal. Tow reimbursement via insurance is cheap.

Last time I had a flat I was on a 4 lane 45mph road and I drove up to the nearest parking lot to change the tire. Ruined the tire but the rim was fine. I had no trouble removing the lug nuts with the supplied wrench in the trunk of my car.

I probably wouldn't attempt if I were on a busy freeway with cars rushing by at 90mph unless it was on the passenger side. Certainly not on the driver's side unless I could get far enough off the road to do so safely.

 

[theeedude]

For car I got some first aid kit and whatever came with the car.

For bike, I got:
Topeak Mini 9 Multi-Tool
Topeak Pocket Rocket Pump (With some electrical tape wrapped around it)
Inner tube
Tire Patch/boot Kit
Zip Ties
Couple band-aids
$20 cash

Recently I had a chain break mid-ride (my fault for not changing it earlier), so I will be getting a mini-chain breaker tool too, to not get stranded again.