Car Emergency Kit for Winter

Car Emergency Kit for Winter Driving

You never plan on being stranded, but winter can make that decision for you. That’s why you need to plan ahead and pack a car emergency kit for winter driving. The items I list below can help you get by long enough to get help from authorities or roadside assistance.

Every car emergency kit must have a shovel

And I’m not talking about one of those foldable camp shovels! If you need to dig yourself out of a snowbank, a foldable camp shovel is WORTHLESS. I’m talking a real scoop shovel like this one.

Every car emergency kit should have a heat source and items to keep you warm

Don’t count on running your car or truck’s heater to keep you warm because a stalled engine may be why you’re stranded in the first place. Even if the engine will run, don’t risk running out of gas just to get some heat. And then there’s the carbon monoxide issue. It can seep into your car and kill you when you’re standing still or lodged in a snowbank. If the tailpipe is restricted you’re at greater risk. So packing a candle, can, and waterproof matches/butane lighter is mandatory.

Car emergency kit for winter. To keep you WARM

• Leather gloves for changing a tire. Nothing will get you cold faster than handling frozen metal tools. Put some leather between you and cold metal.
• Jersey gloves for working on filthy dirty greasy items. Jersey cotton gloves will keep your hands warm and if they get full of grease, you can toss them. They’re cheap; about $2/pair.
• Bomber hat with ear flaps. Absolutely you’ll look like a dork, but you’ll be a warm dork. Ever try changing a flat tire when it’s below zero and the wind is howling? Ok, then you know why I’m listing this as a must-have.
• Blanket. Pretty self-explanatory, right?
• Heat stove. Take a 1-gallon paint can and cut three partial slits in the bottom of the can. Fold down the cut areas. Then drill several holes around the top circumference of the can. The slits will be the exhaust and the holes will be for combustion air. Buy a JAR candle. Yeah, a jar–so molten wax doesn’t pour out if you move it. Stuff the candle, butane lighter, and your gloves inside the can and press on the lid.
WARNING: Crack a car window about 1″ when you’re heating with this makeshift stove. Yes, it will let cold air in but it also lets carbon monoxide out.
• Hand warmers. They’re cheap and they work well to keep you warm.

Robust Car Emergency Tool Kit for Winter Driving

Emergency Tool Kit for Winter Driving

• Adjustable wrench
• Vice Grips
• Pump Pliers
• Snap blade utility knife (so you’ll always have a sharp edge).
• Combination metric wrenches
• Metric socket set
• Screwdriver set
• Jumper cables or Rechargeable Lithium jumper pack (preferable with a USB outlet and cables to charge your phone).
• Tire inflator….you know you haven’t checked the air pressure in your spare tire
• Flashlight

Car Emergency Kit Supplies

• Fix a flat. Hey, if you can make it work with this stuff, you’ll save a whole lot of hassle trying to jack up the car and put on the spare. Fix a flat will freeze in winter. If your engine is working, warm the can by holding it in front of the heater outlet until you can shake the can.
• Tire plugs. They’re not considered a permanent repair. But when you’re freezing your nuts off, you don’t really care. Get it patched and get going.
• Ceramic coffee mug. No, you’re not making late’ on the side of the road. You’re melting show so you can have something to drink. Fill it with snow and put it on your makeshift heater.
• Pad and pencil/pen. If you decide to leave the vehicle, and most experts say you shouldn’t at least leave a note with your name and phone so your relatives can claim your body. I’m not kidding. Don’t leave the vehicle!
• Silicone tape. It’s self-fusing so you can wrap it around a leaking radiator hose and patch the leak temporarily.
• Duct tape. Knocked your bumper/headlight/grille off when you hit the snowbank? Use the duct tape and masons’ line to secure those items so you can keep driving once you get out.
• Flares and reflectors. Pretty self-explanatory. Let emergency authorities know where you are and alert other drivers that you’re in the snowbank.
• Lithium batteries. Alkaline batteries freeze in the winter and have a short life even when they’re not frozen. Lithium batteries cost more but they don’t freeze as easily.
• Food. Yeah, you need to eat. Don’t like energy bars? Fine. Pack snickers.

Oh yeah, almost forgot. PACK A FIRST AID KIT

©, 2018 Rick Muscoplat