Winter Car Emergency Kit Checklist: What to Keep in Your Vehicle
Winter driving turns risky fast — a dead battery in a grocery store parking lot is an inconvenience, but the same failure on a rural highway during a snowstorm can become dangerous. Whether you're commuting through a cold-weather state or driving home for Thanksgiving or Christmas, a stocked car kit and a plan for what to do if you're stranded make the difference. This checklist is grounded in guidance from the National Weather Service and Ready.gov.
The Winter Car Emergency Kit Checklist
Get unstuck
- Jumper cables (or a portable jump starter)
- Flares or a reflective triangle
- Shovel
- Cat litter or sand, for traction under tires
- Tire chains (recommended by NWS Marquette for areas with heavy snow)
- Ice scraper
- Basic toolkit
Stay warm
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Extra warm clothing, hats, and gloves
- Body or hand warmers
Be seen and call for help
- Flashlight with fresh and spare batteries
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Charged phone and a spare charger
- Distress flag and hazard lights, per NWS La Crosse guidance
Food, water, and first aid
- Water
- Non-perishable food
- First aid kit — see our guide to building a home first aid kit that covers the real emergencies
- Pet supplies, if traveling with animals
Before Winter: Car Checks
Ready.gov recommends having a mechanic check your antifreeze, battery, heater, defroster, and windshield wiper fluid before cold weather sets in. Keep your gas tank full, or at least half full during extreme cold, to help prevent moisture from freezing in the fuel line.
If You Get Stranded
If you're stuck in snow or a breakdown leaves you stranded, NWS guidance is clear on a few points:
- Stay with your vehicle unless a shelter is very close. Rescuers are far more likely to find a car than a person on foot, and NWS Marquette specifically warns against trying to walk out of a storm.
- Run the engine and heater sparingly — about 10 minutes every hour, per NWS La Crosse.
- Watch for carbon monoxide. Before running the engine, check that the exhaust pipe isn't blocked by snow, and crack a window slightly on the downwind side. This step is essential every time you run the engine while stranded.
- Make yourself visible. Use your hazard lights and, if you have one, hang a distress flag from your window or antenna.
- Call 911 if you or anyone with you needs help, and give your approximate location if you know it.
Gear Worth Buying
You likely already have some of these items around the house. For the rest, here's what we found as of November 1, 2026.
| Item | Why | Price (checked 11/1/26) | Store |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOCO Boost Plus GB40 jump starter | 1,000A peak, works on gas engines up to 6.0L or diesel up to 3.0L, up to 20 jump starts per charge, doubles as a USB charger | $99.95 | Walmart |
| Lifeline Aluminum Utility Shovel | 3-piece collapsible design, extends to 21/26/32 in., easy to stash in a trunk | $24.99 | AAA Club Alliance shop |
| SOL Emergency Bivvy with whistle | 3.8 oz, 84 x 36 in., maker claims up to 90% body heat reflection | $25.50 | REI (some colors sold out) |
| Midland ER310 crank weather radio | Hand crank or solar charging, NOAA weather alerts, LED flashlight, SOS beacon, AM/FM | $89.99 | Midland |
PrepperSupport may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. Prices checked Nov 1, 2026.
Where to Find the Current Deal
Prices on emergency gear shift often, especially heading into the holidays. Check our daily deals page for current discounts on jump starters, radios, and other winter kit essentials.
FAQ
What should I keep in my car in winter?
At minimum, follow the NWS and Ready.gov checklist above: jumper cables, a shovel, traction material, blankets, a flashlight, a charged phone, water, food, and a first aid kit.
Should I run my car to stay warm if stranded?
Yes, but sparingly — about 10 minutes per hour, per NWS guidance. Always check that the exhaust pipe is clear of snow and crack a window to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Is cat litter really useful?
Yes. Both NWS and Ready.gov recommend keeping cat litter or sand in your car to improve tire traction if you're stuck on ice or snow.
Do I need a jump starter or jumper cables?
Jumper cables work only if another vehicle is nearby to give you a jump. A portable jump starter lets you start your own car without help, which is useful if you're stranded somewhere isolated.
For more preparedness guides, see our power outage plan checklist and 72-hour kit checklist.