What's in you winter car kit?

Rek88

I live quite rurally and have a 30 min commute to work each day. I have started to think about things to keep in my car in preparation of winter coming; don't want to leave it last minute. I have a really tiny car so space is a premium and I don't want to carry heaps of stuff.

I did a brief search to see if I could find a thread about this.

Things I have already:
- Screen wash (made up)
- Hand warmers
- Ice scraper and snow brush combo
- First aid kit
- Poncho and one of those emergency blankets
- LED Torch
- Cheap primarni blanket
- De-icer
- Phone charger
- Some emergency cash

Are there any suggestions, all welcome.

Iceweasel

I have these things in a plastic storage box.

Hat
Gloves
Scarf
Socks
Spare Cash
Chocolate
Raisins
Muesli Bars
Water
De-Icer
Winter Screen-Wash
Scraper
Mobile Phone Charger
Torch + spare batteries
Poncho
Fleece Blanket
Foil Emergency Blanket/Bag
First Aid Kit
Jumper Leads
Tow-Rope
Cat Litter (better than grit and much lighter)

jay87

ooh you guys put me to shame!

I have a really small commute, 3 miles each way so probably dont need all that kit

I have a few 1.5hour drives home coming up so will make up a kit then. I need a warning triangle and first aid kit as don't have one at the moment

elsien

I carry a small shovel, not a huge drive clearing one, just big enough to clear the snow out from under tyres if I get stuck.
This type of thing.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-675182-Mini-Round-Shovel/dp/B000LFU1B2/ref=tag_stp_s2_edpp_url
Dug myself out a couple of times last year.

facade

I have, apart from the listed items:

couple of credit card ice scrapers (much better than the ones with a handle for hoar frost)
Washing up pan brush, to brush snow off my shoes out over the sill of the car when sitting on the seat.
Reflective yellow jacket with hood and quilted lining, in case I have to walk home from the crash scene.

DigForVictory

I tried keeping chocolate in my car kit. I ended up keeping the 70% dark chocolate there as pretty much every other edible sort, um, evaporated.
Tealights & disposable lighter/matchbook.
Hefty paperback. You may be stick a while, and need distraction. Then, um, relief. (Not all wetwipes stay wet subzero.)
Good luck & safe travelling!

forgotmyname

Folding shovel, That can also be used as a pick. Its only small so not up to heavy duty tasks but clearing compacted snow no problem.

Not sure i would want a naked flame in my car. Tealights?? Get a torch. Much safer.

Some offcuts of carpet to get traction sometimes. Cut them to the same size as the boot or half the boot size and it takes zero room.

Can be used for traction and also for insulation if needed.

old_grouser

All sensible suggestions.
...but this year I'm also going to have a little button on the dashboard that turns the four wheel drive on.

WTFH

Most of the above, but due to the hill I live on, I put on winter tyres and carry snow chains

Ultrasonic

facade wrote: »

couple of credit card ice scrapers (much better than the ones with a handle for hoar frost)

Have you tried one of these?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/ICEPLANE-Twin-Bladed-Car-Scraper/dp/B005U3EK7G

I got one at the end of last winter but for the few times I used it I certainly rate it better than anything else I've tried.

skivenov

At work, hi viz, very small first aid kit, phone and an RAC card.

In my personal vehicle, all manner of stuff that I carry around for no apparent reason. Think there's even a winch and a tree strop in there at the minute.