Winter Car Kit

tortoise

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What do you keep in your car during a snowy winter?

I have kept blankets in the car, and usually add boots if I wear shoes. Not sure what else I should include.

I'm always turned off by long lists of items of things I won't use. My most likely situation is a minor car accident and waiting for sheriff/tow truck, or getting stuck in a ditch and either waiting for help or walking a couple miles.
 

frustratedearthmother

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Snacks! With a diabetic DH we always try to have snacks in the car.

I took a road trip, alone, to Oklahoma one winter just in time for a bodacious winter storm. I had a sleeping bag, extra clothes, water and of course snacks with me. I also had a goat in the back of the truck (with a camper cover). The bed of the truck was very well bedded for his comfort. I guess I could've cuddled up to a stinky goat if things got desperate, lol.
 

flowerbug

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Snacks! With a diabetic DH we always try to have snacks in the car.

I took a road trip, alone, to Oklahoma one winter just in time for a bodacious winter storm. I had a sleeping bag, extra clothes, water and of course snacks with me. I also had a goat in the back of the truck (with a camper cover). The bed of the truck was very well bedded for his comfort. I guess I could've cuddled up to a stinky goat if things got desperate, lol.

make sure those are in a very good sealed container as it can attract bears, mice or ... having experienced a vehicle with a mouse infestation for years and years of very frustrating efforts to get rid of the lil boogers makes me very leery of eating or having any food in the car other than that being transported (and immediately removed).

if i'm carrying food it is on my body (in the coat or pocket).


ok, my first twitch reply done i can say that the most useful things are a jug of water, some old towels or blankets, a snow shovel, window scraper, a chunk or two of old carpeting, some grit, first aid kit, flash light.

with these modern times a cell-phone is helpful if you do get stuck someplace but i rarely go anywhere and don't usually take the phone (because if someone else is here they need the phone). there have been two trips since we got the cell phone where i've taken it with us. we just don't do much like that very often these days...
 

flowerbug

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I put snacks in a metal cash box. Locked to keep teenage boys out 🤣 I think it is mouse proof too

but bears can smell it and they will trash a vehicle to get at it. what a mess... well sealed container only where i was up north. too many bears and some were trained to dumpster dive or would hang out at the dump (until they finally closed it as it was attracting too many bears but also people to watch and feed the bears).
 

Hinotori

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For just normal driving in city and local country we carry somethings year round. Wool blankets, flashlight, paper towels, TP, paracord, first aid kit, towels, water, jumper cables, tarp (something to kneel on for chaining up or changing tires in rain).

We carry one set of chains at all times during possible snow so roughly November to April. Both sets go in for trips. Food on trips as well in case we get stuck. There is an adjustable crescent wrench and a multi-tip screwdriver in the seat pocket. Small bottle of vinegar to clean windows.

We have a resistor type vehicle jumper as well. If the light still come on, it can get enough juice built up to start the vehicle. It's truely an emergency item.

Hubby has his electric car blanket in winter for if he gets to work too early.

There is a T-shirt for each of us in a plastic bag under the seat with the blankets as well. THAT gets used fairly regularly by hubby if he spills something on himself.

There are actually 2 bigger flashlights in the truck. One is an emergency one with the batteries in a bag with it. Never leave them in if you're not using it regularly. The other sits on the rarely used parking brake. Hubby likes to use it in the mornings or evenings to find deer and elk in our field.

There are glass wipes, glucose tablets, painkillers, and antacids in the glove box. We use those regularly enough. We've had hand sanitizer in there for almost 2 decades because adult humans are disgusting creatures in winter and I can't take the risk. Some emergency feminine products as well.

I carry all that and more in my purse as well. I have tweezers and nail clippers as well as banaids. I have a cell phone battery backup in there that will charge my phone from the teens at least 6 times. It gets used during power outages so it stays good through use and recharging. Hard candy is carried more for low blood sugars. Lighter and my pocket knife. Packet of soap paper for those restrooms without. Tissues, which have been used as emergency TP when out in town.

So we're probably ok with most emergencies when out and about.
 

Britesea

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Can of sardines- I've been happy more than once that I had one in the car. I dunno if that's bear proof, but we don't have that many bears here... mostly Cats and Coyotes.
DH made up a small kit of tools and extra parts for simple break-downs: broken belts, hoses, that sort of thing. We belong to CERT, so we have emergency kits in all cars for that too.
One thing we just got for each vehicle is a GOOD QUALITY tourniquet. If someone has arterial bleeding, you don't have the luxury of waiting for an ambulance. Make sure it's one you can operate one-handed too; might save your life.
 
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