You know it’s a good idea to have a winter emergency kit in your vehicle, but according to CarMax, only 24% of drivers actually have one.This checklist will help you assemble a winter driving emergency kit quickly and easily.
This checklist will help you assemble a winter driving emergency kit quickly and easily.
Road flare or reflector triangles
Sturdy, compact snow shovel
Kitty litter
Battery-powered radio
Flashlight + batteries
Hand warmers
Change of clothes, including hat, coat and gloves
Bottled water & non-perishable food
First-Aid kit + any essential medications
Tire chains
Tow strap
Jumper cables
Fully inflated, full-size spare tire
Tire jack
Space blanket
Strike-anywhere matches
Multi-tool
Small fire extinguisher
Road flares and reflective triangles will warn on-coming motorists of your position. The shovel will help you clear snow away from the tires and get unstuck if you run off the road, and the kitty litter will give you traction on slippery slopes.
The radio will keep you abreast of any changes in the weather and alert you to the availability of emergency services. The flashlight will illuminate a dark vehicle if your battery dies and give you visibility for repairs.
Hand warmers will keep your fingers nimble for repairs and make sure you’re comfortable while you’re hunkered down. If you get wet or sweaty while working on the vehicle, you’ll be glad to have clean, dry clothes.
Bottled water and non-perishable food will keep you satiated until you get rescued or make the repairs needed to get back on the road.
The first-aid kit will help you attend to minor injuries sustained in an accident. Tire chains and a tow strap will help you get out of a ditch if a passing motorist or rescue vehicle arrives to help. Jumper cables will help jumpstart a dead battery.
A flat tire is, at best, inconvenient. But donut spares don’t work great in the snow. The full-size spare is what you want in the winter, and you’ll need a tire jack to make the change.
Space blankets are made from a reflective Mylar fabric designed to reflect body heat back onto the wearer to maintain body temperature.
Strike anywhere matches will help you build a fire if necessary and the multi-tool will come in handy in more ways than you can imagine.
The fire extinguisher enables you put out any small fires that occur in an accident.
For more tips and advice about keeping your ride road ready this winter, be sure to check out Levin Tire and Service Center's Levin Learn page!