Roadside Emergency Items in English, with Pictures
This page teaches common English words for tools used during car breakdowns. Keep a checklist in your glove box to practice these terms regularly.
warning triangle
/ˈwɔːrnɪŋ ˈtraɪæŋɡl/
A red reflective shape placed behind a broken car to alert other drivers.
“Place the warning triangle fifty meters behind your broken car.”
car jack
/kɑːr dʒæk/
A tool used to lift a vehicle off the ground to change tires.
“Use the car jack to lift the vehicle safely.”
spare tire
/ˌspeər ˈtaɪər/
An extra wheel kept in the trunk in case one goes flat.
“Always check the air in your spare tire before traveling.”
jumper cable
/ˈdʒʌmpər ˌkeɪbəl/
Thick wires used to start an engine using power from another battery.
“He used a jumper cable to restart his dead battery.”
tow rope
/ˈtoʊ roʊp/
A strong, thick cord used to pull a vehicle behind another one.
“Attach the tow rope securely to the front bumper.”
tire gauge
/ˈtaɪər ɡeɪdʒ/
An instrument used to measure the amount of air inside a wheel.
“I check my wheels weekly with a tire gauge.”
wheel chock
/wiːl tʃɒk/
A solid block placed behind wheels to stop a vehicle from rolling.
“Put a wheel chock behind the back tires on hills.”
road flare
/roʊd flɛər/
A safety device that burns with bright light to signal danger ahead.
“The police lit a road flare near the highway accident.”
tool pouch
/tuːl paʊtʃ/
A small bag designed to hold screwdrivers, wrenches, and other instruments.
“He keeps a small tool pouch under the driver's seat.”
air pump
/ˈɛər pʌmp/
A device used to fill tires or inflatable objects with air.
“Use this portable air pump to inflate the flat tire.”
