Everything You Need to Equip Your Vehicle for Winter Weather Emergencies

Winterize your vehicle by making sure the tires and battery are in good condition.Jevanto Productions/Shutterstock

A winter wonderland is lovely to look at, but if you’re stranded by the side of the road in frigid temperatures this winter, that glistening snow will quickly become a nemesis. Prepare each vehicle now so this scenario doesn’t become a cold-weather survival disaster.

Cold temperatures exacerbate the inconvenience and danger of any roadside emergency. Suddenly, trying to change a flat tire with stiff, cold fingers escalates quickly into a nearly impossible task. The inside of your vehicle can become colder than outside temperatures, especially at night. If your car battery is dead, you don’t even have the option of running your car’s heater.

I’ll never forget the feeling of complete helplessness years ago when, as a young, single schoolteacher, I was driving through Flagstaff, Arizona, on my way home to Phoenix one wintery day, only to skid on the icy highway. My bright-yellow Volkswagen bug ended up in a ditch, and I had nothing to help me stay warm. Thankfully, a good Samaritan rescued me with a heavy-duty pickup truck and a tow chain. However, waiting to be saved is a gamble that doesn’t always pay off.

Winter weather is unpredictable, and your smartphone’s weather app doesn’t always have the most up-to-date information for your specific location. Get your vehicles equipped now to prepare for icy roads and even a surprise blizzard.

A windshield scraper, tire inflator, and shovel are just a few useful tools to keep in the vehicle in case of an emergency. Krasula/Shutterstock

Check Your Vehicle

Before assembling an emergency kit and tracking down cold-weather clothing, check out the condition of each vehicle. Is it ready for extreme winter conditions?

Start winterizing each vehicle by checking the condition of the tires and, if necessary, buying snow tires or tire chains for more-extreme weather.

Your survival may depend not only on your tires but also on your car battery. Make sure that it’s up to the task by having it tested at an auto parts store, such as AutoZone, O’Reilly Auto Parts, or Advance Auto Parts.

Assemble a few tools and supplies, such as a compact tire inflator, a bag of kitty litter to help regain traction, a windshield scraper, tow rope, flares, and a collapsible shovel.

Now it’s time to ensure everyone in your car stays warm enough to endure a cold-weather emergency.

Wool blankets and clothing will prove essential in case the temperatures drop and the car battery dies. Jeka/Shutterstock

Add Layers for Warmth

Your next step is a simple one. Place a rolled-up thermal or wool blanket or sleeping bag for each passenger beneath the back seats. Thrift stores are a great place to find blankets for this purpose.

Buying so-called emergency blankets is tempting because they’re marketed specifically for emergencies, but I don’t recommend relying on these blankets on their own. High-quality mylar emergency blankets are best combined with a heavier layer, such as your blanket or sleeping bag. Still, suppose that you want to add one or two to your supplies. In that case, the Survive Outdoors Longer Heavy Duty Emergency Blanket is worth the money. Avoid cheaper versions that tear easily.

Your next layer of warmth will be a few clothing items, your first layer of protection from winter weather. You may recall the Atlanta blizzard in 1993, which left hundreds of commuters stranded on snowy roads for hours. Business suits and leather loafers were no match for this “Storm of the Century.”

If you usually wear business clothes, you’ll be grateful for items such as a wool cap, wool socks, waterproof boots, and a heavy jacket. High-tech, waterproof fabrics are ideal for outerwear and gloves. Even if you rarely or never ski, ski clothes are handy and can sometimes be found at thrift stores for pennies on the dollar.

The best way to keep these organized is in a plastic bin with a tight-fitting lid or, to save space, in a vacuum-sealed bag. Space Saver and Space Max are two brands to check out.

Combine emergency blankets with heavier duty blankets or sleeping bags. Philip Kinsey/Shutterstock

Assemble Your Emergency Kit

Chances are that right now, you may already have everything that you need for an emergency kit. It’s a matter of checking the garage, the glove compartment, and random drawers and closets, but this kit shouldn’t cost much money to assemble.

Assume that your car’s battery will be dead and that your kit will have to supply light and heat sources and a way to keep your phone charged. (In an emergency, your phone might become your most important survival tool.)

Light sources are critical. A good-quality LED flashlight with at least 500 lumens, headlamps for hands-free lighting, and a lantern for ambient light are a good combination. The Luci Solar Inflatable Lantern is charged by a small solar panel and collapses for easy storage. Lightsticks are inexpensive, and in a blizzard scenario, when visibility is an issue, they can be placed in the front and rear windows to guide rescue workers to your car.

With a dead battery or an empty gas tank, heat is going to be a challenge. Add a supply of hand and foot warmers to your kit. A small DIY kit of a metal container with a lid, a few tea lights, and matches provides just enough warmth for survival, but those layers of blankets and warm clothes are an essential addition.

Your kit should also include high-energy snacks such as protein bars, packets of honey, nut butter packets, and even bottles of energy-shot drinks such as 5-Hour Energy.

Keep at least one fully charged power bank on hand, such as the Anker Power Bank. Your smartphone will provide a way to reach rescue workers, friends, and family members. It also can provide access to helpful apps with weather alerts and first aid instructions, such as the Red Cross Emergency app.

Your kit should also include high-energy snacks, light sources, and hand and foot warmers. Skylines/Shutterstock

A Few Final Pro Tips

Keep your emergency kit inside the cabin of your vehicle if possible. It defeats the purpose if you have to weather wet, freezing temperatures to access your winter coat and boots!

If you become stranded, stay inside your vehicle. It would be far easier for rescue workers to spot than a lone individual would be, especially in a storm where visibility is limited.

Make your car as visible as possible and as quickly as possible. Turn on the emergency flashers and the overhead dome light, or place flashlights or lightsticks in the windshield and back window. Raise the hood of your vehicle when the rain or snow has subsided.

Call 911 immediately, as well as friends and family, so they know where you’re located.

With a well-equipped emergency kit, the proper layers of warmth, and a vehicle prepared for cold weather, you’re ready for that road trip or your everyday commute.

At a Glance: Winter-Ready Car Supplies

• Compact tire inflator
• Windshield scraper
• Kitty litter
• Collapsible shovel
• Thermal or wool blankets or sleeping bags
• Extra wool and waterproof clothing
• Flashlight, headlamps, and a lantern
• Lightsticks
• Hand and foot warmers
• Lidded metal container, tea lights, and matches
• High-energy snacks, such as protein bars, honey, and nut butter packets
• Fully charged power bank