Winter car emergency kit: 10 essential items to add

Road tripping during the winter months can be very rewarding. To do it safely just requires more careful preparation. One of the most important elements of this is putting together a winter car emergency kit. When you have a winter safety kit for your vehicle, you’ll be able to keep yourself and your loved ones safe on winter road trips, no matter what the elements throw at you.

Here are 10 essential things to make sure you’ve got packed in your car’s winter survival kit. You’ll find a few more optional suggestions listed at the end of the article.

When it’s time to get your car ready for winter, check out this 7-step winter car maintenance checklist. Want even more advice about winter driving preparedness? Ask the driving safety experts in our Facebook community!

Have a snow brush and ice scraper in your car

A quality snow brush and ice scraper are essential when you’re driving anywhere that regularly sees snow. Many people purchase these as a single unit with a brush at one end and a scraper at the other. Some people prefer a smaller separate handheld scraper or the type that’s built into an oversized mitten. Go with whatever works best for you.

The important part is to choose a brush and scraper than can stand up to the elements. Metal handles are more durable than wood, and a wider brush with longer bristles will make for quicker work. Similarly, a wide scraper is better than a thin one and will get ice cleared away more effectively.

Include jumper cables or a battery booster in your winter car emergency kit

Colder temperatures weaken a car’s battery. This means a cold snap can cause a dying battery to create problems you might not notice in warmer temperatures. You don’t want to be the person wandering the grocery store parking lot in a snowstorm looking for a boost and a set of jumper cables. Solve half that problem in advance and keep a set of jumper cables in your car for emergencies.

If you’d like to be even more self-sufficient, pick up a car battery booster pack. With one of these portable kits, you can boost your own car battery, even if no one else is around. At less than $100 on average, one use and you’ll be convinced these are money well spent.

Carry extra windshield washer fluid, especially in the winter

If you’ve ever run out of windshield washer fluid during an ice storm, you know how important it is to have a spare bottle with you and ready to go. This way, you can simply pull over to a safe place and refill your washer fluid tank right away.

There are two types of windshield washer fluid. The summer formulation is better at removing bugs and dirt from your car’s glass. But in winter, a fluid with antifreeze will help melt ice and snow so your wipers can clear the windshield effectively. Check the label on the bottle of washer fluid for a temperature rating to ensure you’re getting a product well suited to winter conditions in your area.

Choose salt, sand, and/or a folding shovel for your winter car emergency kit

A bag of salt or sand will give you something to pour onto an icy surface to give your tires enough grip to escape. Some people choose to carry kitty litter for this purpose. To dig your way out of deep snow, a small folding shovel may make the job a little easier. Carry at least one of these things with you in your car during the winter. That way, you’ll be able to free yourself if you’re stuck in a slippery situation.

Keep a spare hat and gloves in your winter car emergency kit

People don’t always arrive to ditches or snowbanks appropriately dressed for the occasion. Chances are you’ll need to be outside in less-than-perfect weather if you find yourself in such a situation. It’s a great idea to pack a spare winter hat such as a warm toque in your winter car emergency kit. You’ll also want a spare set of gloves to make sure you can protect your hands from the elements as you work.

Add one or more blankets to your winter car emergency kit

We hope you never find yourself stuck in a disabled car for hours or overnight. But in case you do, you’ll need a blanket to help you stay warm until help arrives. During the winter, travel with at least one blanket for every person you typically have in the car with you. For example, if you have a partner you drive with often, pack at least two blankets in your winter car emergency kit. If you’re a family of four, keep at least four blankets on hand.

A candle, coffee can, and matches or a lighter can generate light and heat in an emergency

For the same disabled vehicle scenario, this affordable little trick does wonders. Keep an unscented pillar candle inside an empty metal coffee can, and add a book of matches or a small lighter. When the candle is lit, the metal can will help disperse the warmth from its flame. This setup can generate a surprising amount of heat. It can help keep the interior of a disabled vehicle warmer on a cold winter night. Be sure the candle is unscented, though: the fewer impurities you’re adding to the interior of your vehicle in an emergency, the better.

Keep bottled water from freezing in your winter car emergency kit

Potable water is an essential element in a car’s winter survival kit. By including a couple of sealed bottles of water, you’ll always have access to safe drinking water in an emergency. But the tricky part during the winter is keeping these bottles from freezing, which could cause them to crack and leak. Not only would this leave you without water, but you also might soil the contents of your winter car emergency kit, creating a potential disaster.

To mitigate this as much as possible, pack your water bottles in a cooler or insulated bag. Place it among blankets in the middle of your kit so it’s surrounded by other items. This way, your water will be the last thing to freeze during a cold snap.

Add non-perishable food items to your winter survival kit

In addition to water, make sure you have some non-perishable food items in your winter car emergency kit. Ideally, these will be nutritional and filling foods with a long shelf life. We’ve chosen some granola bars and grain clusters for our kit. Protein bars, whole roasted nuts, and jerky are also great choices.

Consider carrying a portable cell phone charger

These days, a dead mobile phone creates a legitimate crisis. To keep this essential device operating when you need it most, tuck a portable charging brick into your emergency kit. Make sure the portable phone charger is fully charged itself before you stow it away, and be sure to include any cables you’ll require to connect it to your phone. Don’t forget to check its condition and test the charge occasionally so you can be sure it’ll be ready when you need it.

More items to consider including in your winter car emergency kit

If you don’t already have a first aid kit in your vehicle, now’s the time to buy one that can stay there full-time. While modern mobile phones work well as flashlights, this function drains the battery quickly. You may also want to consider including a flashlight and some batteries in your winter car emergency kit. Some drivers like to add road flares, safety triangles, and/or a safety vest to a winter car emergency kit to improve their roadside visibility.

And if your winter road trip will take you well outside of mobile phone service, consider purchasing an emergency personal locator beacon. These devices can alert emergency services that you’re in distress and are traceable to anywhere in the world. They’re pricy, but if you spend a significant amount of time far from civilization, the peace of mind may be worth it.

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