Winter Auto Emergency Kit

[riverdees05 Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close riverdees05]

What do you keep in your winter auto emergency kit?

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

Usually (and this varies depending on general driving or going on a trip) we carry a small shovel, gloves and a crank up flashlight. Not much for general driving because most of our driving is in city driving.

If we make longer trip outside of the city, we may upgrade a few things, put in hand warmer or some extra clothing items or a blanket, but we don't go with the coffee can filled with candies, candles, matches, etc. We just don't hit that area where we can't get help if needed.

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

I saw that the Woot off included a auto emergency kit that had jumper cables, a first aid kit, flashlight and a couple other items.

I do carry a first aid kit in the car year around and may still have a fire extinguisher in there somewhere.

[Hobbitess Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hobbitess]

If I'm on the ball (which is rarely), and living somewhere where snow is pertinent (which is usually), I'll throw a bag of sand or kitty litter in the trunk with the shovel. Gone are the days of rear wheel drive where the weight of the thing helps traction, but it can be handy if you're trapped on a bit of ice or packed snow. Also an extra blanket and windshield washer fluid (I'm rabid about being able to see and use it up fast in gucky weather).

A fire extinguisher is a good idea. In the course of one summer I saw three vehicles burn up on the bypass in Aurora, Colorado (never figured out why they were so likely to go up there - you'd think that sort of thing would be more common in the mountains). Meant to get an extinguisher then; I think I got so far as to find out there were some specifically designed for cars and no further. I do better with stuff I can just grab while doing the regular shopping.

I also have a purchased emergency kit with the usual stuff floating around that probably needs an update check.

[Elan Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Elan]

In my truck, I usually carry the following: Shovel, tow strap, jumper cables, light, gloves, blanket, zip ties, duct tape, electrical tape, socket set and numerous other misc tools.

Now that I think about it, I should throw in a fifth of Jack Daniels, just in case none of that other stuff works.