What to Keep in Your Car or Truck in Case of an Emergency
Let’s hit the road! But, before you do, it’s important to pack appropriately. Emergencies can happen to anyone. Prepare for the worst-case scenario (especially in wintertime) by keeping the following supplies in your winter car kit!
Whether you run out of fuel, puncture a tire, or slip off a snowy road, a car emergency kit can help you get back on the road safely and quickly.
In addition to the items listed below, keeping a cell phone on hand is highly advised. Ensure your phone is charged every time you get in the car, and keep a spare cell phone charger and a rechargeable battery pack in your emergency kit.
Read Next
Car Emergency Kit List
Keep the below items in a bag in your trunk. Ideally, we’d suggest keeping these items in a clear, plastic container so it’s easy to see and locate everything. You can buy a pre-packaged kit or create your own.
Minimum Supplies
In an emergency, in addition to a full tank of gas and fresh antifreeze, the National Safety Council recommends having these with you at all times:
- Blankets, mittens, socks, and hats
- Ice scraper and snow brush
- Flashlight, plus extra batteries (or a hand-crank flashlight)
- Jumper cables
- First-aid kit (band-aids, adhesive tape, antiseptic wipes, gauze pads, antiseptic cream, medical wrap). See a first-aid kit checklist.
- Bottled water
- Multi-tool (such as a Leatherman multi-tool or a Swiss Army knife)
- Road flares or reflective warning triangles
- Windshield cleaner
Extra Supplies for Frigid Weather
Add the items below to your emergency kit for those in wintry, snowy areas. (If it’s balmy all winter where you live, be thankful that you don’t need all of this stuff!)
- A bag of sand to help with traction (or a bag of non-clumping cat litter)
- Collapsible or folding snow shovel
- Blanket
- Tire chains and tow strap
- Hand warmers
- Winter boots for longer trips
- Sleeping bag for longer trips
Note: Salt helps with de-icing driveways and roads. (Excess salinity can damage vegetation and contaminate groundwater, however. So, with this in mind, salt your driveway only when you must, and try not to use more than necessary.) See 7 salt alternatives for de-icing driveways.
Other Essentials
- Small fire extinguisher (5-lb., Class B and Class C type) in case of a car fire
- Tire gauge to check the inflation pressure in all four tires and the spare tire
- Jack and lug wrench to change a tire
- Rags and hand cleaner (such as baby wipes)
- Duct tape
- Foam tire sealant for minor tire punctures
- Rain poncho
- Nonperishable high-energy foods include unsalted and canned nuts, granola bars, raisins and dried fruit, peanut butter, or hard candy.
- Battery– or hand-crank–powered radio
- Lighter and box of matches (in a waterproof container)
- Scissors and string or cord
- Spare change and cash
- Compass
- Paper maps
Be Prepared for Winter Driving
Before You Go
- If you must travel, make sure you share your travel plans and route with someone before you leave.
- Do not leave your car if you become stranded in bad winter weather. Don’t try to push your vehicle out of the snow. Light flares are in front and behind the car, and make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked by snow, mud, or any object.
- Make sure the tires are properly inflated.
- Keep your gas tank filled above halfway to avoid a gas line freeze-up.
- Avoid driving when you have the flu, which can reduce your reaction time almost six times as much as moderate alcohol intake.
Winter Driving Tips
- Beware of black ice. Roads may look clear, but they may still be slippery.
- Stuck without traction and lacking sand or cat litter? You can take the floor mats out of your car in a pinch, place them next to the tires, and slowly inch the car onto and across them.
- Make sure windows are defrosted and clear. And be sure to clear snow and ice from the vehicle’s top! Gently rub a small, moistened, cloth bag of iodized salt on the outside of your windshield to prevent the ice and snow from sticking.
- To restore proper windshield wiper blade action, smooth the rubber blades with fine sandpaper to remove any grit and pits.
- Fog-proof your mirrors and the inside of your windshields with shaving cream. Spray and wipe it off with paper towels.
- Increase the following distance to 8 to 10 seconds.
- Avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy, and snowy weather.
- Do not use cruise control in wintry conditions.
- Look and steer in the direction you want to go. Accelerate and decelerate slowly.
- Know whether you have antilock brakes, which will “pump” the brakes for you in a skid.
- If possible, don’t stop when going uphill.
- Signal distress with a brightly colored cloth tied to the antenna or in a rolled-up window.
See more cold-weather tips provided by AAA.
What do you have in your car emergency kit? Let us know in the comments. (Thank you to our readers who have made suggestions, which we have added to the above list!)
Learn More
To see what weather’s in store for your area, see our free two-month extended forecasts or check out your local 7-day forecasts.
Be sure to find out what to have in your home emergency supply kit, too!
Catherine Boeckmann
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In the car emergency kit: Flashlight, sleeping bag, small tent, lighter, snow boots, work boots, reflective jacket and rain gear, sweater, thermal gear, jacket, cleaning rugs, telephone charger, umbrella, hat (sun and winter hat), blanket, first aid kit.
Okay, I'm supposed to keep some bottled water in my car's emergency supplies. How do I keep the water from freezing? Probably not. So, how do I thaw the frozen water in the bottle? Tucking it inside my jacket to have me warm the water is reducing my body heat. Not a good idea. I'll have to test if the iron oxide (rust) hand warmers (so no fuel to dry out, or smell up my car from hand warmers that burn fuel) can thaw the frozen bottled water.
You can keep water warm by placing it into a cooler in the winter time.
Just read on Car and Driver that juice boxes or pouches are best, as they don't freeze.
Keep a phone charger in your car. Also, it might not hurt to keep one of the battery powered chargers in the car as well - and make sure the batteries are good.
Have a METAL coffee can, bucket, or something comparable in your car. If it has a lid, fill it 1/2 full of sand (if no lid, put sand in a sealable container so it doesn't spill and fill your can/bucket when needed). Place 2 or 3 hurricane candles (or any long burning candles you might have) in the sand and light them (have a minimum of 10 candles).The reflection of heat from the metal and sand WILL heat your car... this will also save you gas, and provide sufficient light for a passing motorist to see, and keep your water from freezing.
You should always have an emergency tool to break the windows & cut seatbelts with in case you're trapped in the car! Also, you might consider having a small, portable, camp toilet & bags, in case you're stuck in the car for any length of time, & toilet paper. Also camp chemicals to break down the waste so it won't stink!
Your headrest ..if you pull it out ...you can break a window ...that's why are made like that
Just wanted to add:
Fix a flat
Ice pick
Paper, permanent marker/pen (to leave a note)
Battery jumper machine (cig lighter hook in)
Fire starter log
Hand sanitizer
I have traveled alone for many years. As a Mom, my kids insisted on me being safe. So I have 90% of the suggested items but in addition I also carry a small, self opening tin of ham, crackers, paper towels I took off the Rolland folded flat in a zip lock bag.
