What's in you winter car kit?

WantToBeSE

I know this thread is a year old, but thought i would bump it up as it'll prove useful this time of year (i myself found it because i was going to ask the same question).

SophiaButler

Driving in the winter is much more challenging than in the warmer seasons. Slippery or snow-covered roads, reduced visibility and bitter cold: these are all conditions that can make driving difficult and even dangerous during cold weather months. Winter also brings an increased risk of getting stuck in your car, so dress warmly before heading out.
Here is a tip on what to keep in your car. A winter emergency kit should include several items. The first is warm blankets. You will need them if you can not get out of a situation. Warmth is very important if you can not get help because of a storm.

The second thing you will need to have is some type of food. It will help you if you are stuck long enough.

The third is a coffee can and a candle. Fourth is a book of matches or a lighter. Then you will need sand or kitty litter. The coffee can, the candle, and the kitty litter are all part of the same purpose.

[Deleted User]

This winter I've only had to de-ice the car a few times and that is all.

Netwizard

Well considering I don't live in the middle of nowhere and I don't have to travel much in the winter, I have:

Jump Leads
Torch
Spare fuses
RAC card

All in the boot of my 17 year old bangernomics Volvo
:beer:

WantToBeSE

I am planning on buying jump leads. Just had my battery replaced though, so not sure if i need them just yet.

[Deleted User]

I had puncture while at work between xmas and new year. I borrowed one of those cheap cig lighter socket powered compressors to pump tyre up to get me to the puncture repair garage. I was amazed at how easy and quick it was compared to a foot pump so I went and bought one for £5 delivered off the bay.

Now it lives in my boot as part of my winter kit.

Richard53

WantToBeSE wrote: »

I am planning on buying jump leads. Just had my battery replaced though, so not sure if i need them just yet.

I always carry these, and have never needed them for my own car, but I have helped loads of other people out. Worth carrying, just to be sociable.

My permanent 'black box' in the boot has jump leads, 12V compressor, WD-40, wet wipes (probably dry wipes by now), extendable wheel wrench, small tool kit, gaffer tape, 12V light with battery leads. In the car are 2 x hi-viz tabards, light bulb kit. My work carry includes a Leatherman multi-tool and a good torch, and I would include those if I were going off on a longish journey.

I tend to dress for the weather anyway, so in cold weather I would have waterproofs, hat, gloves, good footwear and chuck anything I didn't want to wear in the car into the back seat.

If there is snow around, I will add an ex-army entrenching tool (like a small, foldaway shovel, about a tenner from Anchor Supplies) to dig myself out. If I am going anywhere with a significant risk of being stranded (I used to cross the Pennines in winter regularly) I will add a full-size shovel and some lengths of carpet, plus food and a thermos of hot water etc, and a sleeping bag.

Handy hint: tie about 20ft of nylon line to your carpet pieces and when you need to, tie the cord to the back bumper or rear door handles. Then, if you are in a situation where you have to get going and keep going, you don't have a half-mile walk back to where you left the carpet.

Another handy hint: if you are carrying heavy winter stuff in the back of a hatchback or estate, make sure it is secured. In the event of a bad accident, a heavy shovel flying about could do you a lot of damage.

HAMISH_MCTAVISH

From Oct to April a carry-all bag with the following.....

-folding snow shovel
-Water and food
-fleece thermal undersuit and socks
-snow boots
-snow suit
-hat and gloves
-sleeping bag
-torch/strobe
-survival blankets
-first aid kit

But I frequently drive roads in remote highland Scotland that can get closed/blocked easily and you can end up stuck in the car overnight in -20c.

Car stuff is the usual.... puncture can, jump leads, compressor, loads of screenwash, spare oil, diesel can, grit bag, de-ice spray, scraper, brush for snow, etc.

Winter tyres go on in Sept and come off in April.

opinions4u

Jump leads.
De-icer and scraper.
Torch x 2.
Change of clothes.
Hat, gloves, thermal socks, old coat.
Foldable shovel.
First aid kit.
Newspaper to insulate windows.
4 x self heating drinks.
Poncho.
Hi-viz jacket.
Foil coat.
Foil tent.
Large bar of Cadbury Whole Nut.
Six bottles of water.
Box of waterproof matches.
Flare.
In car phone charger.

Need to add a candle and some toilet roll!

londonTiger

depends which part of the country you live i suppose. I only do 5K miles a year. I don't even have a set of winter wheels.

So my winter kit is nonexistent.

Newspapers have been hammering away with the lies telling the public that a 90-day blizzard was expected this winter. it's all lies - has been pretty much autumn weather all winter. Just yesterday it dipped close to 5 degreees and felt a bit cold.

Barely had the radioator on this winter. It gets warmer from Feb - I doubt in the next two weeks we're going to see snow, ice temps below -5 etc.

Forcast for next 8 days in London
>10 degrees during the day time
lowest it his is 4 degrees in the night time (but generally >7)