Cars have come a long way over the last few decades in terms of reliability. Nevertheless, there is a multitude of unpreventable issues that can arise at any time that will leave you stranded on the side of the road. Here are some of the essential tools you need to keep with you to prevent that from happening.

An Aerosol Tire Sealant Kit

If you've been driving for more than a decade, you might be surprised to find that your newer car doesn't have a spare tire in the trunk. A lot of modern cars — especially sporty cars — have very large disc brake kits to improve stopping performance and safety. Because of that, they don't include a donut spare tire because it wouldn't be able to fit over the brake units.

In lieu of a spare tire, keep an aerosol tire sealant kit in your trunk. If you get a flat tire, you can simply pull over, hook the pump up to your tire's valve stem, and pump it full of air and sealant.

It's actually quicker and safer than swapping a spare tire onto your car. You aren't required to jack up your car and remove all the lug nuts on the side of the road, which would put you at risk of being hit by passing cars.

A Full Tool Kit and Flashlights

Sometimes small engine issues can leave you stranded. A single disconnected vacuum hose or a loose battery terminal can cause your car to stall and leave you stranded. Even if you're not mechanically inclined, you can probably easily fix such issues in minutes to keep your car rolling.

Of course, doing so requires the proper tools for the job. Always keep a mobile toolkit in your trunk so you can perform easy repairs on the go. Make sure the toolkit includes a full allen wrench set, a full socket wrench set, and multiple sizes of screwdrivers. While you're at it, throw in a couple of flashlights with spare batteries in case your car breaks down in the dark.

The Number for a 24-Hour Towing Service

Sometimes issues will arise that are impossible to fix on the fly. When that happens, you need to have an emergency towing service on speed-dial to get you and your passengers off the side of the road as quickly as possible.

The longer your car sits on the shoulder, the more likely it is to be hit by passing drivers who aren't paying attention, especially at night. A 24-hour emergency towing service will get to you in short order so that you, your passengers, and your car are removed from harm's way as quickly as possible.