6 Important Things to Keep in Your Car During Winter

Some people believe that all you need to drive a car is a full gas tank and your keys. Sure, you can occasionally get away with being spontaneous, but not in the cold. Winter driving is more complicated than usual due to snow, ice, and cold temperatures.

Even under the best of circumstances, a car-related emergency is stressful. It can be much more dangerous during the chilly winter months. You can do everything to avoid an emergency, but some things are beyond your control. That is why it is critical to prepare your car and be ready, especially in the winter.

What are the six most important things to keep in your car during winter?

You probably do a quick inventory when you get into your car. License? You've got it. Do you have a cell phone? Check! What's your go-to playlist? Yes, everything is in order. Friends, take a breath! It's hard to keep a few essential emergency items in your car if it's snowy and downright unexpected. But if anything unexpected happens, you'll be glad you planned.

A winter wonderland is lovely to see. So toss these six items into your trunk, and you'll be better ready for anything the winter road throws at you!

1. First Aid Kit

Make your own winter car survival kit filled with winter car supplies when you're out in the cold. Before a winter storm arrives, you should know how to prepare your home and car. It would keep yourself and your loved ones safe. Keep winter safety and emergency items in your car at all times. You should include the following car essentials in a basic car kit:

• Energy bars and other non-perishable foods
• Water (plastic bottles that will not break if the water freezes)
• Medicine
• Seatbelt cutter
• Matches and a candle
• Flashlight
• Whistle—in case you need to draw attention to yourself
• Roadmaps
• A copy of your disaster plan

Bag of Sand or Cat Litter

When stuck in the snow, the best thing is to shift into low gear. Slowly speed up to offer your wheels the best opportunity of acquiring grip. If the wheels spin too fast, your car may become further engulfed in the snow.

There are a few advantages to keeping a few bags of sand or kitty litter in your car. The extra weight in the trunk can aid rear-wheel-drive vehicles in gaining a grip on slick roads. Second, if your tires become stuck in the snow, slush, or ice, you can put sand or kitty litter around them. It will add grit to your tires, allowing you to get a grip and get moving.

3. Ice Scraper

Scraping snow and ice off of your car is an inescapable duty. You can't drive a car with an iced-over windshield. Fortunately, you can remove even a thick layer with a bit of elbow grease and a good ice scraper.

What kind of ice scraper should you get?

The sort of ice scraper you need depends on where you live and the amount of snowfall in your area. Here are some things to think about:

• If your area gets little snow but has a lot of frigid mornings, a simple ice scraper would generally be enough.
• A scraper with a brush is an excellent choice for moderate snowfall. These tools allow you to remove the top layer of snow. After that, chisel away at the ice formed on the glass.
• If you live in an area with a lot of snow, you may need a larger snow broom. It would push aside snow that has piled up many inches on top of your car.

De-icer is another item to consider adding to your arsenal. You can spray it to your windshield and wipers, and it melts ice and frost. It also keeps ice, sleet, and snow from forming. It is an excellent tool to have if you want to make scraping off your car a little easier. It'll set you back around $10 at your local hardware shop.

4. Jumper Cables

If you're in an accident or have a long wait, you might not be able to keep the car's heater on as long as you'd like. Make sure you and everyone with you have extra coats, hats, and gloves in your vehicle so you can all keep warm. You can stuff disposable hand warmers into your gloves and socks for added warmth.

Pro Tip: Don't forget to bring a pair of snow boots. If you have to get out of the vehicle to clear snow or ice slush from around the tires, you'll need these. Also, an extra coat may not be enough to keep you warm. Keep some blankets in your vehicle to use as a blanket if necessary.Thermal blankets with dual-sided aluminized mylar keep you warm. It will also repel rain and snow while you're outside your vehicle.

6. Shovel

A car snow shovel is a small snow shovel that you can stow for roadside situations. It would help you remove snow from under a wrecked car or dig up a car buried in a few feet of snow. You don't want to haul about a full-sized shovel, so seek one that folds up small enough to fit in your trunk. They can be foldable to fit in smaller locations for convenient storage and use. Some stores carry small snow shovels specifically for this purpose during the winter!

Final Word

If you're traveling in the winter, make sure your tires are correctly filled and have enough tread. You'll also want to keep at least a half tank of gas in your vehicle, so it doesn't run out at an inconvenient time.

Keep these tips in mind before you go anywhere in the winter. You can also speak with your local agent to learn what to do in an emergency or if you need roadside help.