Euro Motorworks Blog

Winter Car Emergency Kit for Your Luxury Vehicle

Posted by Gloria Heath on Thu,Dec 20, 2018 @ 09:35 AM

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A roadside emergency kit is important in any weather — after all, nobody leaves the house expecting to break down.

But in the cold and snow during winter, it’s good to carry a few extra items. Indiana roads get slick with ice, and in the 25+ years of servicing European and luxury vehicles in Indianapolis we know it's good to be prepared for bad weather.

What's in the basic Roadside Emergency Kit?

Whether you put it together yourself or buy one that’s ready to use, a winter emergency kit will typically contain items that will help you to deal with getting stuck in freezing conditions:

Safety equipment

  • Flashlight with extra batteries
  • First-aid kit
  • Road flares and safety triangle
  • Tire chains
  • Phone charger or backup battery
  • Ice scraper or snow brush
  • Snow shovel
  • A bag of sand or kitty litter

Vehicle maintenance equipment

  • Jumper cables
  • Tire inflator
  • Tire pressure gauge
  • Multipurpose tool or basic tool kit
  • Electrical tape
  • Survival equipment
  • Winter clothing, including gloves, hats and boots
  • Bottled water, energy bars and other non-perishable snack items
  • Blankets
  • Antiseptic towelettes and garbage bags

Beyond the basics: Winter Emergency Survival Kit

This emergency kit represents the basics you need to survive a variety of winter crises. But depending on the severity of the weather conditions, you may be stuck in your vehicle for a while. You want your car to keep running, thus providing heat and light until you can get out or get rescued.

Keep these things in your car if you’re headed on a wintry road trip or into the wild:

Supplies to keep your car running

  • A gas can with a few extra gallons of fuel
  • A quart of engine oil (more if your engine burns it)
  • A gallon of coolant (more if you have a coolant leak)
  • A gallon of windshield washer fluid, rated for winter use
  • Extra fuses
  • A can of de-icer spray for frozen locks or wiper blades

Rescue and safety equipment

  • A tow rope or chain
  • A car fire extinguisher
  • Contact information for a mechanic, towing service or roadside assistance
  • A portable jumper pack with built-in battery
  • A seatbelt cutter and window breaking tool
  • A reflective safety vest
  • A walking stick or poles, in case you have to hike out to find help

Survival helpers

  • Chemical or battery-powered hand warmers
  • Solar phone charger
  • Battery-powered headlamp
  • Sunglasses, to reduce glare in snowy conditions
  • Sleeping bags, rated for winter temperatures
  • Matches or a lighter, and a candle for light and heat (use inside the car only after cracking a window)
  • Duct tape
  • Paper maps or a road atlas
  • A few days’ supply of all needed medications
  • List of medications and allergies for everyone in the vehicle
  • A brightly-colored piece of cloth — attach it to the highest point on vehicle to make it more visible in a storm

A little extra comfort

These items may not be essential to your physical survival, but they can make a big difference in how you feel while you're waiting for help:

  • Upgraded food and snacks like jerky, trail mix and candy
  • Gatorade or energy drinks
  • A deck of cards or other games
  • Coloring books and crayons for the kids
  • A battery-powered radio

Stay warm this season and pack up a winter roadside emergency kit! Should the worst happen, you'll be prepared with everything you need to overcome the challenge. 

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Topics: safety, car care, winterization

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