If the recent snow storm is any indication, we should be better prepared for these types of situations in the future. A vehicle emergency kit is a must for the safety and comfort of drivers in winter. When you get stranded in such extreme weather condition, a well-equipped emergency kit will come to your rescue. You can choose to buy ready-assembled winter emergency kits or put one together from scratch. The choice is always yours. In this article, we’ll list the most essential items that you must have in your vehicle emergency kit for winter.
Battery Booster Cables
A dead battery is the last thing you would want when driving your car in winter. Having said that, dead battery is one of the most common reasons for stranded cars, especially in winter. To prevent this, you need to have battery booster cables. You can also use a jump starter for your battery, though you need to keep it charged.
Emergency Tire Repair Sealant
After securing your car’s battery, the next important thing on our list is to have a fix-a-flat in your emergency winter kit. In extreme cold conditions, it is very difficult to replace a tire even if you have a spare one. It is more suitable to repair the puncture temporarily with a suitable tire sealant and then look for the nearest tire shop to get it replaced.
Foldable Shovel
Getting a puncture is not the only thing that can happen to your vehicle’s tire. In snow belts, tires often get stuck in thick layers of snow. In such a case, a portable shovel is an ideal tool to have in your winter car kit. By using this tool, you can shovel the snow around your tire easily with little effort.
Ice Scraper
If snow fall happens in your city regularly or you are travelling to such an area, it is a good idea to add an ice scraper in your winter emergency kit. Ice scraper and a brush come really handy while removing snow from your car before starting the journey. You can easily find an ice scraper from your local store or you can buy one online.
Basic First-Aid Kit
First-aid kit is essential for the safety of the passengers in vehicle. Your first-aid kit must be specific to your health needs along with other basic items. If you are struggling with any health issue, it is critical to have medicine for your particular condition. When travelling with pets, take extra caution to pack what they’d need in an emergency situation.
Tow Strap
Thick layers of snow and slippery road surface increase the likelihood of getting your car stuck in a ditch. In this case, you’ll need a strong strap for your car to be pulled out back to the road. Before buying a tow strap, you should make sure that the strap is strong enough to pull your car. You can easily find this information in the manual that comes with the tow strap.
Winter season places a huge burden on the car, leading to many collisions and other accidents. Having a well-equipped emergency set can make a huge difference when you get stuck in the snow or ice. Please share this article with friends and family. We hope that after reading these tips, you’ll be able to travel safely on the road this winter. If you experience issues with your car, please come see us. We tackle all auto service needs from auto collision to automotive maintenance. You can also give us a call to schedule an appointment. For the Oklahoma City location, call 405.733.9797, South Oklahoma City location: 405.691.1820, and Midwest City location: 405.732.0762.
