11 must-haves for your car emergency kit
When the nights start to get darker, and the temperature starts to drop, you know winter is on its way or you soon might need to drive in the snow. Vehicle’s will often need that little bit of extra care and attention when winter strikes, and because of this it’s important to have a car emergency kit. You can also make sure your vehicle is working as it should by regularly servicing your car with the correct type of car service.
We’ve listed items that you could use to create a car emergency kit for the winter to keep you safe on the roads below. A good start could be to purchase a breakdown and car emergency kit from a reputable supplier such as Halfords, and then add any missing bits you don’t already own to it yourself.
When the nights start to get darker, and the temperature starts to drop, you know winter is on its way. Vehicle’s will often need that little bit of extra care and attention when winter strikes, and because of this it’s important to have a car emergency kit. You can also make sure your vehicle is working as it should by regularly servicing your car with the correct type of car service.
We’ve listed items that you could use to create a car emergency kit for the winter to keep you safe on the roads below. A good start could be to purchase a breakdown and car emergency kit from a reputable supplier such as Halfords, and then add any missing bits you don’t already own to it yourself.
1. Ice scraper and de-icer
1. Ice scraper and de-icer
These are a must. We’ve all been there in the winter, when we’re running late for something and your car is frozen over. Well both of these will help you to clear your windscreen not only quickly, but more effectively. It’s also important that your visibility when driving is always clear, if it’s not then this could cause a safety issue, or even an accident.
Not only is having an iced over windscreen dangerous, but if you get caught driving with snow or ice blocking your visibility then you could get 3 points on your licence and a £100 fine.
These are a must. We’ve all been there in the winter, when we’re running late for something and your car is frozen over. Well both of these will help you to clear your windscreen not only quickly, but more effectively. It’s also important that your visibility when driving is always clear, if it’s not then this could cause a safety issue, or even an accident.
Not only is having an iced over windscreen dangerous, but if you get caught driving with snow or ice blocking your visibility then you could get 3 points on your licence and a £100 fine.
2. Torch and spare batteries
Breaking down in the dark can be quite a scary thought for some of us. Which is why we’d always recommend keeping a torch and some spare batteries in your car, just in case. Let’s be honest, a torch is probably a handy thing to have in your car all year round, not just for winter.
You could also look into a wind-up torch in case the batteries stop working.
Make sure you know what to do if you do breakdown, this is especially important in the cold and dark of winter.
2. Torch and spare batteries
Breaking down in the dark can be quite a scary thought for some of us. Which is why we’d always recommend keeping a torch and some spare batteries in your car, just in case. Let’s be honest, a torch is probably a handy thing to have in your car all year round, not just for winter.
You could also look into a wind-up torch in case the batteries stop working.
Make sure you know what to do if you do breakdown, this is especially important in the cold and dark of winter.
3. In-car phone charger or power pack
3. In-car phone charger or power pack
Most of us already have one of these in our car as we often feel lost when our phones die. However, this is an absolute must for the winter months. Not only is it a lifeline if you get stuck in the ice, snow or dark, but you can also use your phone as a torch should your actual torch not work. We would always advise keeping a spare torch in case though, as using the torch on your phone can use up your battery very quickly.
Most of us already have one of these in our car as we often feel lost when our phones die. However, this is an absolute must for the winter months. Not only is it a lifeline if you get stuck in the ice, snow or dark, but you can also use your phone as a torch should your actual torch not work. We would always advise keeping a spare torch in case though, as using the torch on your phone can use up your battery very quickly.
4. Plan your route
4. Plan your route
When driving in the winter you should always plan your route if you know you’ll be driving down a long, dark and unfamiliar road! You can plan the route with a good old-fashioned map or make sure you have an updated satnav, or phone with enough battery, to guide you all the way. However, please make sure you don’t let your satnav distract you, it is there to guide you and not make driving more dangerous.
Planning your route will prepare you for any road works, or diversions, but it’ll also make you think before driving down any dark icy country roads.
When driving in the winter you should always plan your route if you know you’ll be driving down a long, dark and unfamiliar road! You can plan the route with a good old-fashioned map or make sure you have an updated satnav, or phone with enough battery, to guide you all the way. However, please make sure you don’t let your satnav distract you, it is there to guide you and not make driving more dangerous.
Planning your route will prepare you for any road works, or diversions, but it’ll also make you think before driving down any dark icy country roads.
5. Sunglasses
5. Sunglasses
When driving in the winter you should always carry sunglasses. You may have noticed in the winter that the sun can often be brighter than in the summer, this is because the sun in the winter is low and can shine straight into your eyes or onto the road, causing a glare. Keep sunglasses in your car all year round to make sure your vision is never affected, better still make sure they are kept in easy reach so that they can be grabbed quickly when they are needed.
When driving in the winter you should always carry sunglasses. You may have noticed in the winter that the sun can often be brighter than in the summer, this is because the sun in the winter is low and can shine straight into your eyes or onto the road, causing a glare. Keep sunglasses in your car all year round to make sure your vision is never affected, better still make sure they are kept in easy reach so that they can be grabbed quickly when they are needed.
6. First aid kit
6. First aid kit
No matter the weather, it’s always a good idea to keep a first aid kit in your car. Add a first aid kit to your car emergency kit, and make sure it has all the things you’d need to treat minor cuts, wounds and scrapes such as sterile wipes, plasters, dressings and scissors.
No matter the weather, it’s always a good idea to keep a first aid kit in your car. Add a first aid kit to your car emergency kit, and make sure it has all the things you’d need to treat minor cuts, wounds and scrapes such as sterile wipes, plasters, dressings and scissors.
7. A fuel can
7. A fuel can
A fuel can is a must to add to your winter car accessories. A lot of vehicles often break down for running out of fuel, but if you have an empty fuel can then you’ll be able to sort the issue out for yourself.
If you can’t find a petrol station nearby, or you think it might be too dangerous to find one, then call your breakdown cover providers and they’ll be able to help.
A fuel can is a must to add to your winter car accessories. A lot of vehicles often break down for running out of fuel, but if you have an empty fuel can then you’ll be able to sort the issue out for yourself.
If you can’t find a petrol station nearby, or you think it might be too dangerous to find one, then call your breakdown cover providers and they’ll be able to help.
8. Warm clothing or a blanket
8. Warm clothing or a blanket
9. Battery jump leads
9. Battery jump leads
Sometimes your car just won’t start. This can happen to cars with an older battery, but also to cars with a lot of gadgets running off them.
If a car has lots of gadgets on, i.e. heated seats, infotainment system and moving the electric seats then the battery is going to run out quickly on shorter journeys where it’s not had a chance to charge.
Keep jump leads in your boot just in case you get caught short all year round, but especially in the dark and cold winter months.
Sometimes your car just won’t start. This can happen to cars with an older battery, but also to cars with a lot of gadgets running off them.
If a car has lots of gadgets on, i.e. heated seats, infotainment system and moving the electric seats then the battery is going to run out quickly on shorter journeys where it’s not had a chance to charge.
Keep jump leads in your boot just in case you get caught short all year round, but especially in the dark and cold winter months.
10. Hi-vis jacket / clothing
10. Hi-vis jacket / clothing
A must for the car emergency kit. If you break down or need to change a tyre in the dark and cold, then a hi-vis jacket is a must. It will keep you seen and most importantly safe.
A must for the car emergency kit. If you break down or need to change a tyre in the dark and cold, then a hi-vis jacket is a must. It will keep you seen and most importantly safe.
11. Water and snacks
11. Water and snacks
These last items are very much for in case of emergency, but are good to have all year round anyway.
Make sure you always have a few bottles of water and some long-lasting snacks in the boot of your car. If you get stuck out in the dark and cold at least you can remain hydrated and not too hungry.
These last items are very much for in case of emergency, but are good to have all year round anyway.
Make sure you always have a few bottles of water and some long-lasting snacks in the boot of your car. If you get stuck out in the dark and cold at least you can remain hydrated and not too hungry.
Looking after your car is important all year round, but breaking down or getting stuck seems much more daunting in winter months. To keep your car running as it should make sure to follow our car maintenance checklist.
Looking after your car is important all year round, but breaking down or getting stuck seems much more daunting in winter months. To keep your car running as it should make sure to follow our car maintenance checklist.
Car emergency kit checklist
Car emergency kit checklist
Extras for your winter car kit
Extras for your winter car kit
We’ve covered all the items you should have in your car throughout winter for driving in normal conditions, but what we haven’t mentioned is what to take if there are severe weather warnings. We understand that sometimes you cannot get out of driving, even when there are weather warnings in the winter, so here are a handful of things we would advise to take on that trip:
- Warm clothes and waterproofs
- Sturdy footwear
- A flask of hot drink
- Snacks
- Hi-vis jacket
- Warning triangles
- Jump leads
- Shovel
We’ve covered all the items you should have in your car throughout winter for driving in normal conditions, but what we haven’t mentioned is what to take if there are severe weather warnings. We understand that sometimes you cannot get out of driving, even when there are weather warnings in the winter, so here are a handful of things we would advise to take on that trip:
- Warm clothes and waterproofs
- Sturdy footwear
- A flask of hot drink
- Snacks
- Hi-vis jacket
- Warning triangles
- Jump leads
- Shovel
For a better road ahead
Moneybarn is a member of the Finance and Leasing Association, the official trade organisation of the motor finance industry. The FLA promotes best practice in the motor finance industry for lending and leasing to consumers and businesses.
Moneybarn is the trading style of Moneybarn No. 1 Limited, a company registered in England and Wales with company number 04496573, and Moneybarn Limited, a company registered in England and Wales with company number 02766324. The registered address for these companies is: Athena House, Bedford Road, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU32 3LJ.
Moneybarn’s VAT registration number is 180 5559 52.
Moneybarn Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Financial Services reference No. 702781)
Moneybarn No. 1 Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Financial Services reference No. 702780)
