7 Things You NEED in Your Vehicle Before Winter Hits, by Plan and Prepared on YouTube. 16 min 48 s.
- Video length
- 16 min 48 s
- Time to do it
- 1 hour
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Pack a full set of warm clothes: hat, gloves, thick socks and a spare jacket. Store them in a bag in the trunk so you have dry layers if you get stranded.
Charge your portable jump starter and keep it in the car. Check the charge every few weeks through winter so it works when the battery dies in the cold.
Add a basic roadside tool kit with a screwdriver, pliers, adjustable wrench, duct tape and a flashlight. Keep spare batteries with the light.
Store hand warmers and a lighter in a sealed bag. They give you quick warmth and a way to start a small fire if you are stuck overnight.
Put traction gear in the trunk, such as traction mats, a bag of sand or kitty litter, or folded cardboard. These help your tires grip if you get stuck on ice or snow.
Add a tow or recovery strap rated for your vehicle's weight. Know where your tow points are before you need them.
Pack emergency blankets, ideally the foil type, plus a first aid kit and a phone charger. They keep heat in if you have to wait in a cold car.
Do winter maintenance before the cold hits: check the battery, antifreeze, tire tread and pressure, wipers and washer fluid. Top up with winter-grade washer fluid.
Tips and common mistakes
Never run the engine in a closed garage or with snow blocking the exhaust pipe, because of carbon monoxide.
Keep at least half a tank of fuel in winter so you can run the heater if you get stuck.
Check the jump starter and hand warmers each month, since cold drains batteries faster.
Tell someone your route and expected arrival time on long winter drives.
Questions
What is the most important item in a winter car kit?
Warm clothing and a charged jump starter cover the two most common problems: cold and a dead battery. Build around those first, then add traction gear and blankets.
How often should I check my winter kit?
Check it at the start of winter and once a month after that. Recharge the jump starter, replace used supplies and swap out damp clothing.
Do I need a recovery strap if I have traction mats?
They do different jobs. Traction mats help you drive out of snow, while a strap lets another vehicle pull you out. Carry both if you drive in deep snow.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
