What You Need in a Winter Car Emergency Kit

A roadside emergency kit is important in any weather — after all, nobody leaves the house expecting to break down.

But in the cold and snow during winter, it’s good to carry a few extra items. And you can go even further, especially if you’re headed somewhere more remote, or if you’re expecting a big storm.

What's in the basic kit?

Whether you put it together yourself or buy one that’s ready to use, a winter emergency kit will typically contain items that will help you to deal with getting stuck in freezing conditions:

Safety equipment

• Flashlight with extra batteries
• First-aid kit
• Road flares and safety triangle
• Tire chains
• Phone charger or backup battery
• Ice scraper or snow brush
• Snow shovel
• A bag of sand or kitty litter

Vehicle maintenance equipment

• Jumper cables
• Tire inflator
• Tire pressure gauge
• Multipurpose tool or basic tool kit
• Electrical tape

Survival equipment

• Winter clothing, including gloves, hats and boots
• Bottled water, energy bars and other non-perishable snack items
• Blankets
• Antiseptic towelettes and garbage bags

Beyond the basics

This emergency kit represents the basics you need to survive a variety of winter crises. But depending on the severity of the weather conditions, you may be stuck in your vehicle for a while. You want your car to keep running, thus providing heat and light until you can get out or get rescued. 

Keep these things in your car if you’re headed on a wintry road trip or into the wild:

Supplies to keep your car running

• A gas can with a few extra gallons of fuel
• A quart of engine oil (more if your engine burns it)
• A gallon of coolant (more if you have a coolant leak)
• A gallon of windshield washer fluid, rated for winter use
• Extra fuses
• A can of de-icer spray for frozen locks or wiper blades

Rescue and safety equipment

• A tow rope or chain
• A car fire extinguisher
• Contact information for a mechanic, towing service or roadside assistance
• A portable jumper pack with built-in battery 
• A seatbelt cutter and window breaking tool
• A reflective safety vest
• A walking stick or poles, in case you have to hike out to find help