If you’ve yet to build a winter car survival kit, now’s the time.
Winter driving conditions can be both dangerous and unpredictable, which is why it’s important to be prepared and have your own winter car survival kit.
Every year, we hear stories of motorists stranded in blizzards.
Sometimes it’s only overnight, but occasionally (on rural back roads) they are stranded for days or weeks.
Should you become stranded, a winter car survival kit with all the essentials will provide you with both safety and comfort.
Related Post: Top 50 Bug Out Bag List Essentials
This kit will help you accomplish two things. It will help you get unstuck should your vehicle slide off the road.
And this kit will help you survive should you not be able to get your vehicle unstuck.
Winter Car Survival Kit
Rule #1 – Don’t Get Trapped In Blizzard
Icy roads and deep snow are extremely dangerous for travel and a leading cause of stranded vehicles.
Every year, we hear stories of motorists stranded in blizzards.
Sometimes it’s only overnight, but occasionally (on rural back roads) they are stranded for days or weeks.
What Should Be In A Winter Survival Kit For Car
Items To Help You Get Unstuck
In case you didn’t not follow rule #1 (shame on you!)
Your (next) best bet is to be self-sufficient and avoid spending a night stranded.
So it’s worth having a few key tools in your vehicle to get you going again.
Winter Car Survival Kit Item #1 –Jumper cables
Every vehicle should have jumper cables in the trunk.
I learned that lesson the hard way… After learning that lesson,
Jumper cables in each vehicle are a NECESSITY where I come from.
I was so tired of p***ing around with cheap, short jumper cables that wouldn’t reach, had low conductivity and would fall apart after a few uses.
These are VERY long, longer than the length of my Subaru which is awesome because Murphy’s law states that ‘if a vehicle’s battery is going to die said vehicle will be parked in the WORST possible location/position to try to reach with shorter jump cables.’
No worries. You can literally park BEHIND the dead vehicle and still reach to jump it. These have great conductivity- it takes a minute or two at most to conduct enough power to jump.
These are VERY heavy. I don’t suspect they will be falling apart any time soon.
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Winter Car Survival Kit Item #2 –Road flares
If you don’t already have road flares in your car emergency kit, get them now.
I bought a set for both of our vehicles to use in case we had a roadside repair and needed to alert drivers we were there.
These are magnetic so you can stick them on your car, or place them on the road to give people some warning before they are right up on you.
The light pattern can be changed as well (solid, flashing, sos).
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Winter Car Survival Kit Item #3 – Snow Shovel
A good, sturdy shovel is an absolute must for a winter car kit.
Often, some efficient digging can help you quickly get free.
And even if you still can’t get your vehicle free, a shovel will allow you to keep your vehicle from being entirely buried under a snow drift.
Because a vehicle that’s completely buried in snow is nearly impossible for a rescue team to spot.
Or if worst came to worst, you could use a survival shovel to build a snow shelter.
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Winter Car Survival Kit Item #4 –Windshield Scraper and Brush
In all winter weather conditions, you’ll have to remove a lot of snow and ice from your vehicle’s roof and windshield.
A good, heavy-duty scraper and brush with a long handle will save you a lot of time and effort, as well as make it easier to see out your windows, keeping it out of the ditch.
Have one of these is a must have all winter long.
I’m always amazed when people are huddled in their cars for 30 or more minutes waiting for their vehicles defroster to warm their windshield because they don’t own a scraper.
Talk about unprepared!
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Winter Car Survival Kit Item #5 – Traction Mats
Often, a little extra traction is all that’s needed to get moving again.
Many people use sand or kitty litter, but these items only work once and then you’re out of luck.
A set of traction mats are reusable and can be easily repositioned to keep you heading in the right direction.
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Winter Car Survival Kit Item #6 –Tire Chains
In packed snow road conditions, tire chains are an excellent way to help with traction and prevent sliding in the first place.
If you carry chains, make sure you know how to install them – put them on first in your dry driveway and later in a snowy parking lot.
It’s a lot harder to get them on tight and secure when it’s dark, and you’re fumbling with cold hands, so you’ll appreciate the practice if the need arises.
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Winter Car Survival Kit Item #7 - Small Tarp
A small tarp makes kneeling in the snow (and roadside slush) a lot easier and drier.
It also helps keep you from losing parts or tools into the snow. A 5’x7′ tarp is a perfect size for a lot of roadside uses.
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Items In Case You Can’t Get Unstuck
If you have to stay out overnight, you’ll need a few more things.
At this point, your focus turns from getting your vehicle out, to keeping yourself and your passengers protected from the elements.
Winter Car Survival Kit Item #8 –Water Bottle
In the winter, the colder temperatures often trick people into assuming they don’t need to drink as much water. You tend not to feel as thirsty.
The truth is you need to stay hydrated to maintain proper body temperature, no matter the weather outside.
Want proof?
High-altitude mountaineers spend about as much time melting drinking water as they do climbing – it’s THAT important.
A stainless steel water bottle is an excellent choice since you can use it over a camp stove or small fire to melt and heat water.
Never eat large amounts of snow directly. Always melt the snow before ingesting. If you eat snow directly, you’re basically using your internal body temperature to melt the snow. This can lower your core temperature and lead to hypothermia.
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Winter Car Survival Kit Item #9 – LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
What good is finding water if you can’t drink it?
You should always purify your water before you drink it whether it’s coming from your tap or from the snowbank where you’re stranded.
The easiest way to purify water on the go is with a LifeStraw Personal Water Filter.
We put the LifeStraw through our field testing and, if you’re not convinced you should be carrying at least one in your vehicle, you should read the full LifeStraw review and watch the video below.
Tip: if you have kids or grandkids that you drive around, make sure to get them each a LifeStraw. The last thing you need in a survival situation is kids refusing to drink from the same LifeStraw.
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Winter Car Survival Kit Item #10 – High-Calorie Bars
In the cold, your body is craving calories in any form, burning them at an increased pace to keep your core body temperature up.
Cookies, crackers, nuts, dried fruit, plain chocolate bars, jerky. I like the high-calorie bars since you buy them once and you’re food preparation is done.
Snickers bars may taste great, but you’ll chip a tooth on the caramel trying to eat one that’s been sitting in sub-zero temps for even a few hours.
If you’re able to heat water over a stove or fire, consider adding powdered hot chocolate or another warm drink with lots of calories.
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Winter Car Survival Kit Item #11 –All Weather Reflective Blanket
You can go with a thick wool blanket but I prefer an all-weather reflective emergency blanket
These blankets are made with a heat reflective internal layer that helps trap the body heat you’re generating.
Keeping you warmer, longer.
Also, consider how many people you’ll be traveling with and be sure that you can keep everyone warm
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Winter Car Survival Kit Item #12 – Weatherproof Lighter
I love this lighter because it’s windproof, waterproof, and doesn’t have any lighter fluid or fuel that can accelerate a fire in a crash. It does rely on the battery being charged, but that won’t be an issue if you picked up a 6-in-1 Car Tool.
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Winter Car Survival Kit BONUS Item: 6-In-1 Car Tool
The Easy Power 6-in-1 Emergency Car Tool & Charger is a revolutionary new gadget that can save your life in several ways.
Not only can it charge your phone or USB powered electronic in your car, it also has a backup battery bank if you are ever separated from a power outlet.
But that is not all! If you are ever trapped inside your car, you can use a blade on the side of the tool that can slice through your wedged seatbelt like butter, and then utilize the tip of the charger to shatter most auto glass in moments, enabling you an escape from your car in any dire situation. Not only that, once you have escaped you can even use the charger to signal for help.
Right above the charging ports is a double duty 150 lumen flashlight/emergency signal light! This can be used to signal helicopters, or even to shine in the eyes of a would-be attacker.
So, let’s get this straight, with the 6 in 1 tool you have:
- Car charger
- Battery bank
- Seatbelt cutte
- Flashlight, strobe light AND a
- Glass breaker
…all in one. Pair that 6 in 1 with a scream whistle and paracord survival grenade, and you have everything you need for a great emergency car kit that will save your life in more ways than one.
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If you liked this article you might also like these ones:
- The Ultimate Bug Out Vehicle Checklist
- 4 Types Of RV To Help You Survive When SHTF
- 8 EDC Essentials You Should Always Have
What else would you add to your winter car survival kit? Share with fellow preppers in the comment section below!