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Pack the box
Put jumper cables, a warning triangle, an ice scraper, a small shovel, sand or cat litter, a flashlight and a first-aid kit in one crate in the trunk. Add a paper map, since phone signal and batteries both run out.
Hour zero
Car emergency kit for winter
One crate in the trunk and a plan for a closed road, so a long cold wait stays a safe one.
Time60 min
LevelEasy
Steps6
Official sources3
Breakdowns and closed roads happen far from home. A box in the trunk means a long cold wait instead of a dangerous one.
What you need
Gather these before you start.
- Jumper cables: 1 set
- Reflective warning triangle: 1
- Blankets or sleeping bags: 1 per seat you usually fill
- Water: a few bottles, swapped each season
- Sand or cat litter: 1 small bag, for traction
- Ice scraper and small shovel: 1 each
- Car phone charger
- Flashlight
- Paper road map
Step by step
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Add warmth and food
Pack one blanket per seat, hats, gloves, spare socks, water and snacks that cope with freezing. Swap the water and food at the start of each winter.
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Keep the tank full
Fill up before a long winter trip and keep the tank well filled through the season. A full tank means hours of heat if you get stuck, and fuel lines are less likely to freeze.
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If you are stuck, stay with the car
Stay inside unless a building is close and you can see it. A car is easier for rescuers to find than a person walking in snow.
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Run the engine in short spells
Run the engine and heater for about 10 minutes each hour, with a window open a crack. Clear snow away from the exhaust pipe first, every time.
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Be seen
Tie a bright cloth to the aerial or door, and switch on the inside light while the engine runs. Move your arms and legs to keep the blood moving.
The numbers
| What | Amount |
|---|---|
| Engine and heater when stuck | about 10 minutes each hour |
| Blankets | 1 per seat you usually fill |
| Jumper cables | 1 set |
| Reflective triangle | 1 |
| Sand or cat litter | 1 small bag |
| Time to pack the crate | 60 minutes |
Ready.gov, Car safety
Stay safe
- Check that the exhaust pipe is clear of snow before every time you run the engine.
- If a power line falls on the car, stay inside until trained help arrives.
- Call emergency services and give your road and direction of travel.
When you're done
| Result | A packed crate in the trunk and a plan for waiting out a closed road warm and visible. |
|---|---|
| Keep it ready | Check the box each autumn: batteries, water, food, blanket condition and the jumper cable clamps. |
Questions people ask
What should be in a car emergency kit?
Jumper cables, a reflective triangle, an ice scraper, a small shovel, sand or cat litter, a flashlight, a first-aid kit and a paper map. For winter, add one blanket per seat, hats, gloves, spare socks, water and snacks that cope with freezing.
What do you do if you are stuck in your car in a snowstorm?
Stay inside unless a building is close and you can see it. Run the engine and heater about 10 minutes each hour with a window open a crack, and clear snow from the exhaust pipe first, every time.
Why keep the gas tank full in winter?
A full tank gives you hours of heat if the road closes around you. Ready.gov adds that it keeps the fuel line from freezing.
Sources
Related guides
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