What to Keep in Your Winter Car Survival Kit

Plus, what to bring inside.

close up of winter emergency automobile kit, hat gloves scarf boots Adobe

As the winter winds threaten to rip the last leaves of Autumn from the mostly bare branches they cling to, it is time to assemble your winter car emergency kit. Bad weather, unexpected road obstructions and vehicle failures could cause unexpected delays and breakdowns. If you find yourself stranded on a rural road as inclement weather rolls in, you could be stuck in your car waiting for rescue for an extended period. Having a winter weather survival kit on hand will help keep you more comfortable and, most importantly, safe while you wait.

As you craft your car survival kit, it is important to understand that leaving everything in your car always may not be a viable option. Sure, it can be convenient to keep frequently used items in your vehicle instead of repeatedly dragging them to and from the house. But not everything can withstand winter’s freezing temperatures. To ensure that you always have the necessities in your car, consider dividing your kit in half with one bag or box dedicated to your car and another for the items that need to be stored in warmer temperatures.

Here are the things to keep in your car during winter to help you stay safe—and what shouldn’t be left out in the cold:

Ten things for your winter car survival kit

1.  Sturdy ice scraper and brush: This is one of the single most important tools you can keep in your vehicle during the winter. An emergency may dictate a speedy departure leaving you with no time to wait for your windows to defrost. A scraper can expedite this process. Emergency or not, it is imperative to scrape off all your windows before you drive. While scraping ice is no fun, your safety and the safety of others depends on your ability to see.  

closeup of man digging snow with shovel near car Adobe

2.  Snow shovel: A collapsible shovel will not use much room in your trunk and could make a huge difference if you are stranded on the side of the road in a snowstorm. If your vehicle suffers a breakdown and excessive snowfall threatens to bury it, you can use your shovel to keep the path to your vehicle clear and ensure it is visible to rescue crews rather than camouflaged by a blanket of snow.

3.  Gloves, hats and blankets: If your car shuts off and will not start, it takes the heat with it. Be sure to have plenty of warm clothing and blankets available for both you and any other passengers who may ride in your car. Consider adding a heat-reflective emergency blanket to your pile as well. These blankets are specifically designed to trap heat and keep you warmer than your standard household blanket.

4.  Bag of abrasive material (such as rock salt, sand or kitty litter): Winter weather comes with snow, ice and mud. These adverse road conditions could cause your vehicle to get stuck. Your emergency kit should have an abrasive material for exactly this occasion. If your tires will not grab, you can spread rock salt, sand or kitty litter around your tires to increase traction. Alternatively, you could use traction mats or snow chains. With any luck, you will be back on the road in no time. In extreme cases, you may also be able to utilize a floor mat from the car for traction.

persons hands hold a flashlight with batteries and clamps Adobe

5.  Flashlight and extra batteries: Shorter days are one of the hallmarks of winter. In fact, some states only see eight to nine hours of daytime during the winter months versus the fifteen to sixteen hours during the summer. Having an additional source of light could make a huge difference should you suffer a nighttime breakdown.

6.  Portable phone charger: With phones being used for payments, navigation, communication, web browsing and more, they are constantly experiencing battery drainage. The last thing you want is for your phone’s battery life to be at zero when your vehicle suffers a breakdown. Keeping a portable phone charger (check to be sure it is fully charged) or two in your emergency kit will help you keep your lifeline charged should trouble arise.

7.  Emergency contact list: In addition to a charger, it would be wise to have a printed emergency contact sheet in your kit in the event your phone does die and cannot be recharged. Most people depend on their phone’s internal contact list rather than memorization for their emergency contacts. Having a printout will speed up touching base with loved ones after rescue. If you are unconscious when emergency teams arrive, a contact sheet will provide them with a list of relatives to reach out to.

Hands grabbing jumper cables from a car in wintery snow Adobe

8.  Jumper cables: A dead battery is a leading cause of roadside trouble. Having your own set could get you back on the road faster, especially if the first person that stops to help you does not have their own.

How to use jumper cables:

  • Step 1: Put both cars in park and turn them off.
  • Step 2: Attach the red clamp to the positive (+) terminal of the dead car.
  • Step 3: Attach the other red clamp to the positive (+) terminal of the helper car.
  • Step 4: Attach the black clamp to the negative (-) terminal of the helper car.
  • Step 5: Attach the other black clamp to an unpainted metal surface on the dead car. Note: It is important NOT to connect directly to the negative (-) terminal of the dead battery. Doing so could cause spark that ignites flammable gasses. Grounding to unpainted metal reduces this risk.
  • Step 6: Start the helper car. Note: Steadily revving the helper car between 1500-2500 RPMs for one to two minutes will expedite the charging process.
  • Step 7: Attempt to start the dead car.
  • Step 8: Whether the dead car starts or not, remove cables in the reverse order.

An alternative to jumper cables is a self-contained battery jumper. This small electronic jumper can help you kick start your battery without the need of another motorist.

9.  Snacks: Another worthwhile addition to your emergency kit is nonperishable snacks. These could come in handy if you are stranded and need something to tide you over until rescue arrives.  Jerky, nuts, granola and dried fruit are excellent options. Be careful with beverages, though. See Below.

A close-up of a person placing a first aid kit in the trunk of a car. Emergency preparedness and safety concept Adobe

10.  First aid kit: A basic first aid kit with alcohol pads, bandages, gloves and other essentials could make a huge difference in an emergency, especially if rescue crews will not reach you right away. Complete kits can be found online with relative ease, or you can piece your own together. However, it should be noted that some of the items do expire so be sure to check yours if you have one already.

11.  Hazard triangles or LED flashers: If you are stranded in the snow, odds are you and your vehicle will be difficult for other motorists to see. Reflective triangles, road flares and LED flashers will make you more visible in adverse conditions and potentially mitigate a compounding accident. In addition to these items, consider a road safety vest for yourself so that you can be seen by other drivers while you are working around your stranded vehicle.

Things to avoid keeping in your car during winter

The cold does not mesh well with certain items. The following items should not be left out in the elements no matter how frustrating it is to bring them back and forth. Leaving them in the cold temps could render them inoperable.

  • Electronics: Freezing temperatures can damage laptop computers, tablets and cell phones. Lithium-ion batteries that stop working in the cold will usually perk back up when they’ve been warmed, but repeated exposure to extreme temperatures can reduce their ability to hold a charge. If you do leave your device in the cold for a bit, it is important to understand that moving a computer to a warm location can cause internal condensation that may damage it if you use it right away. Let it warm up for a few minutes before turning it on.
  • Medications: If you are taking medication for any reason, you need it to function how it is intended. Whether prescription or over the counter, some drugs can be affected by extreme cold. Freezing can reduce their potency, cause ingredients to physically separate or even change the molecular form of the medication. When in doubt, check the label for storage information and talk to your pharmacist about medications that may have been exposed to cold temperatures.
Freezing water in PET plastic bottle Adobe
  • Beverages: If it’s below freezing outside and you leave canned or bottled drinks in your car, you may come back to a big mess. The liquids will expand when they freeze, and the cans or bottles could explode.
  • Windshield washer fluid: Most windshield washer fluids contain chemicals that prevent them from freezing. But some brands (and homemade vinegar-and-water mixes) can freeze if the temperature drops low enough. If the fluid freezes, it will expand and could crack your washer fluid reservoir. So, before it gets too cold outside, make sure you’re using fluid that can withstand the chill without freezing.
  • Musical instruments: Freezing temperatures can make an instrument contract, which can cause it to go out of tune. In some cases—for example, if the instrument is made of wood—cold, dry air can cause it to crack. When an instrument has been left in a cold car, warm it up gradually.
  • Aerosol cans: Spray cans that use aerosol can become unstable in both hot and cold temperatures. They can crack and potentially explode if left in freezing temperatures. This can lead to bodily and car damage.
  • Eyeglasses: The plastic in the majority of eyeglass frames s can become brittle in very cold temperatures. This can cause the frames to break even if kept in a case. Be sure to remove them when not using to operate your vehicle.

Having a functional car emergency kit makes a huge difference, especially during the winter when it could take hours to get your vehicle off the road.

If your emergency kit includes items that need to be taken to climate-controlled places every night, it is important to do a safety kit check before you start your daily drive. The last thing you need to do is forget part of your kit after you have spent so much time getting it dialed in. Stay safe this winter!

Get Your Car Ready for the Winter Months

Whether it will face ice and snow or just cold temperatures. Now is a good time to get your car inspected. These AAA Owned Car Care locations and AAA Approved Auto Repair shops and offer one-of-a-kind, unrivaled service.

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