Winter Car Emergency Kit: What to Keep in Your Car for Snow

A winter car emergency kit should cover two jobs: getting unstuck and staying safe if you are stranded. NHTSA, Ready.gov and the National Weather Service list a shovel, ice scraper, sand or cat litter, jumper cables, a flashlight, blankets, water, food, a first aid kit and a phone charger.

The four official lists overlap heavily but not completely. The table below lines them up so you can see what each agency includes, then the sections explain how to use the kit if you get stuck. For the rest of your storm plan, start at our winter storm preparedness hub.

What do official lists say to keep in a winter car kit?

“Listed” means the item appears on that agency’s winter or car kit page. NHTSA’s list is from its winter driving tips, Ready.gov’s combines its car safety and winter weather pages, the NWS list is from its winter preparation page and the CDC list is from its winter weather safety page.

A few items appear on only one list. The CDC adds any necessary medications and a pocket knife, plus a bright flag or help sign. The NWS adds a tool kit and a water container. NHTSA’s first aid kit note specifically includes a tourniquet.

Which items matter most if you get stuck?

Think of the kit in three groups, because each solves a different problem.

Getting moving again. A shovel clears snow around the tires, and sand or cat litter gives the tires something to grip. NHTSA lists both “in case your vehicle gets stuck in the snow.”

Being found. NHTSA says to put bright markers on the antenna or windows and keep the interior dome light on. The NWS suggests tying a bright colored cloth, preferably red, to your antenna or door. Flares and reflective triangles cover the roadside if you break down in traffic.

Staying warm. Blankets, dry spare clothing, hats and mittens keep you warm without running the engine. Battery-heated gloves or a heated vest can help too; our guide to heated jackets, vests and gloves covers how long their batteries last in the cold.

Tire chains or tire socks: what is the difference?

Tire chains are metal links that wrap around the tread. Tire socks are fabric covers that slip over the tire. Both are traction aids for snow, and both come off when roads clear.

The more important question is what your state requires. Ready.gov says to install good winter tires with enough tread, “or any chains or studs required in your local area.” Rules differ by state and by road.

Colorado shows how detailed those rules can get. Its traction law accepts AWD or 4WD vehicles with mud and snow, winter or all-weather rated tires and 3/16-inch tread, or chains or an approved alternative traction device. When Colorado’s passenger vehicle chain law is in effect, every vehicle must have chains or an approved alternative traction device. Before you buy either type, check your own state transportation department’s page and your vehicle owner’s manual. This page is not a legal summary.

What should you do if you are stranded in your car?

Ready.gov’s instruction is simple: if you are trapped in your car, stay inside. NHTSA says to stay with the car and not overexert yourself. The NWS explains why: people who leave their vehicle become disoriented quickly in wind-driven snow and cold.

After the storm, the NWS gives two more steps before you drive off. Check that the exhaust pipe is clear, and brush all the snow off the car so it does not slide onto your windshield or fly onto other cars.

How do you get the car itself ready for winter?

A kit helps only if the car starts. NHTSA’s checklist covers the basics:

• Tires. Pressure drops as temperatures fall. Fill to the pressure on the driver’s door frame label, not the maximum printed on the tire. NHTSA says tread should be at least 2/32 of an inch on all tires.
• Battery. Cold weather cuts battery power. NHTSA suggests having a mechanic check the battery and charging system.
• Wipers and fluid. Keep the reservoir full of winter fluid with de-icer and replace worn blades.
• Fuel. Keep the tank close to full whenever possible. Ready.gov adds that a full tank also keeps the fuel line from freezing. For electric vehicles, NHTSA says plugging in at night helps keep the battery in its best temperature range.

NHTSA also has a winter note for parents: heavy coats can interfere with car seat harness fit, so use thin, warm layers and put blankets over the child after the harness is snug.

Should you buy a ready-made kit or build your own?

Either works. A prebuilt winter kit saves time, but compare its contents against the table above before you rely on it. Water, snacks and medicine are personal or need replacing, so plan to add and refresh those yourself. An ice scraper and emergency blankets are the easiest pieces to add to a kit you already have.

Winter car kits, ice scrapers and emergency blankets

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A compact car kit also makes a practical present for a student driving home for the holidays. Our winter storm gifts guide has more ideas sorted by the person.