What's in you winter car kit?

motorguy

old_grouser wrote: »

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.

Whilst 4WD will help, you'll need good winter tyres too otherwise all that will happen is that you've four wheels with the ability to spin, not just two.

Also, any time i've ever really had problems in the snow its been because of heavy traffic and closed roads moreso than my own actual car not being able to get me home.

Iceweasel

I have one of these - that clip on to a baseball cap - I'm rarely seen outdoors without a cap. LOL

This type is much more convenient in my experience.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Silverline-Baseball-Cap-Peak-Light-5-LED-Hands-Free-Head-Torch-Light-598561-/200851678199?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_Camping_LightsLanternsTorches&hash=item2ec3b163f7

You should be able to find them in the 99p/£ stores.

Mine lives in the glove box.

vikingaero

There's no point in wearing a waterproof jacket in the winter if you don't have waterproof trousers.

I only ever seem to get punctures when it lashes down with rain. Whilst I was dry up top, my jeans were completely sodden. I now carry a pair of waterproof hi-viz trousers rolled up into the pocket of my hi-viz jacket. The other advantage is that you can kneel down in them to look for jacking points without getting a wet knee.

motorguy

Also, a good heavy winter coat.

motorguy

vikingaero wrote: »

There's no point in wearing a waterproof jacket in the winter if you don't have waterproof trousers.

I only ever seem to get punctures when it lashes down with rain. Whilst I was dry up top, my jeans were completely sodden. I now carry a pair of waterproof hi-viz trousers rolled up into the pocket of my hi-viz jacket. The other advantage is that you can kneel down in them to look for jacking points without getting a wet knee.

I've one of these i keep in the car.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ring-Automotive-RAC630-Automatic-Compressor/dp/B002Q560WE/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1379839160&sr=8-4&keywords=ring+air+compressor

It can be set to 'auto off' when it reaches a certain pressure, meaning you can sit in your car until it does its work. Unless you've had a blow out or are really unlucky, you can get it blown back up again and either get you home or somewhere with better lighting and drier.

Also, i keep a spare spare rim and tyre at home so if i am forced to put the spare on say, my way home from work, i'm not left vulnerable the following day with no spare.

Steve059

For a general-purpose torch for the car, I recommend these ...



They're not cheap, but they're very well made (aircraft grade aluminium, high quality LEDs). They're rechargeable, so there are no batteries to "borrow". They plug into the car power socket, which means that they can't "gravitate" into to the house.

If I have any more emergency equipment in my car, I'll have to respray it dark green with a big "2" on the roof.

vaio

WTFH wrote: »

....I put on winter tyres....

My winter kit consists of 4 wheel drive, winter tyres and a spare packet of fags

[Deleted User]

Screen wash
De-icer
Microfibre cloths etc

If it is snowing then I will chuck a shovel in the boot.

I don't travel far just 9 mile round trip to work and if the weather is bad I won't go on random long journeys.

skivenov

forgotmyname wrote: »

A wax based furniture polish is probably cheaper. I spray all my rubber seals at the start of the winter and never get problem with them sticking.

I wouldn't even go that far, I use a silicon spray, but to be fair, the cheapest, nastiest furniture polish you can buy is about the same stuff.

Paul_the_Painter

Oh how times have changed, I remember when no list like this was complete without WD-40. Seemed to fix just about anything. Anything electrical on a mini being a favourite.

I would add that driving a BMW 3 series I add 2 bags of salt/grit in the boot. Never actually used it, but 50kg over the back wheels certainly helps with grip.