What Should You Have in Your Winter Car Kit?
A few basic supplies can make a big difference when a winter drive turns into an unexpected roadside wait.
A practical winter vehicle kit should help you stay warm, communicate, remain visible and deal with minor winter problems while you wait for assistance. Warm clothing, a blanket, flashlight, phone charger, food and water, a shovel, traction material, first-aid supplies and basic roadside equipment are a good place to start.
Winter Roads Don’t Always Go According to Plan
Cold temperatures, snow, ice and changing road conditions can turn an ordinary drive into an unexpected stop. A vehicle can break down, a battery can fail, or you may simply find yourself waiting longer than expected for roadside assistance.
A winter car kit isn’t about packing your entire house into your trunk. The goal is to carry a small collection of useful items that can help keep you warm, visible and comfortable until help arrives.
What Should Be in Your Winter Car Kit?
Blanket & Warm Clothing
Keep an extra blanket, toque, gloves and warm socks in the vehicle. If your vehicle can’t provide heat, additional layers can help you stay warmer while waiting for assistance.
Flashlight or Headlamp
Winter brings long periods of darkness. A flashlight helps you see around the vehicle and can also make you easier to spot. A headlamp has the added benefit of keeping both hands free.
Phone Charger or Power Bank
Your phone may be your main way to contact roadside assistance, family or emergency services. A charged power bank provides backup power when you can’t rely on the vehicle.
Water & Non-Perishable Snacks
Winter road conditions can sometimes mean longer waits. Water and shelf-stable snacks can make an unexpected delay much easier to manage.
Ice Scraper & Snow Brush
Good visibility starts before the vehicle moves. A sturdy scraper and snow brush help clear ice and snow from your windows, mirrors and lights.
Compact Shovel
A small shovel can help remove loose or packed snow from around your tires if the vehicle becomes stuck in manageable snow.
Traction Material
Sand or another suitable traction aid can sometimes provide additional grip when tires are slipping on snow or ice.
Reflective or Emergency Markers
Reflective equipment, warning triangles or roadside lights can help make a stopped vehicle more visible to approaching traffic, particularly at night or during poor weather.
Basic First-Aid Kit
A compact first-aid kit gives you basic supplies for dealing with minor injuries until additional help is available.
Booster Cables or Jump Starter
Cold weather can be hard on vehicle batteries. Booster cables or a properly charged portable jump starter can be useful when a battery doesn’t have enough power to start the vehicle.
Keep your winter kit together in one tote or backpack rather than scattering supplies throughout the vehicle. At the beginning of winter, check your flashlight, power bank, first-aid supplies, food and other items so you know they’re ready when you need them.
Know When It’s Time to Call for Help
A shovel or traction material can help in some minor situations, but repeatedly spinning the tires can dig a vehicle deeper into snow and make recovery more difficult.
If your vehicle is in a ditch, deeply stuck, in an unsafe position or you’re unsure whether you can safely get it moving, stop and contact roadside assistance.
Winter Car Kit Checklist
You don’t need a huge amount of space. A well-organized tote in your trunk or cargo area can hold most of these winter essentials.
Stuck? Stranded? Need a Hand?
Even with the right preparation, winter driving doesn’t always go according to plan. Jack’s 24 HR Towing is here when you need roadside help.