Car winter emergency kit

[lillypaddle]

Here in Lexington, KY, temps are supposed to fall to single digits tonight. I'm retired and can stay in, but I told my son and DIL that they should be sure to keep some of these items in their cars "in case of"

blankets
hat & gloves
"pee can" with lid (coffee can?)
snacks, such as protein bars and nuts
water
flashlight & batteries
book

Never know when you will get stuck by the side of the road. What items would you add to that list?

Stay safe out there!!

[dustyscamp]

1. I'd add hand warmers and a portable radio just in case

[Sherman A1]

2. And

A full tank of gas!

[lillypaddle]

4. Absolutely!

Thanks for the reminder.

[Siwsan]

3. A bag of kitty litter and a snow shovel.

The litter (not the 'clumping' kind) for tire traction. And flares might be a good idea.

One weird and potentially dangerous suggestion, I once heard, is a candle. Preferably one in a full glass type holder. The lit candle is said to supply plenty of heat for a car. Not sure I'd risk it, though. Maybe some of those heat generating packets you put in your gloves and socks would be a better and safer idea.

[Tribalceltic]

23. Rock salt is better

I used to keep a 25 pound bag over each tire

[Siwsan]

27. The litter is to scatter under the tires to give the a grip on the snow

I do think the bags of salt are a good idea, too.

[Yavin4]

5. I would add matches or better yet, a lighter. n/t

[The_jackalope]

6. A multi-wick survival candle for warmth.

And a couple of lighters (one for backup.)

[lillypaddle]

8. Didn't know they made those

good idea

[hlthe2b]

7. I have had to use one several times when roads closed and I was stuck on the side--usually

coming home after a weekend ski trip.

I doubt you have to worry about the kind of heavy snow I'm talking about, but I'd add some roadside emergency flashers and an all-in-one tool and a hand crank light/charger for your cell phone. Ditto a tire inflator and a portable battery jump starter. Maybe some hand warmers and a small shovel.

I add a -20 F sleeping bag, a set of snowshoes and snow boots, but again, pretty much overkill outside the Rockies. Out here the chain law can be implemented for passenger cars too, so having a set of chains is a good idea. (Legally fine with 4wdrive as long as you have really good treads)

[lillypaddle]

9. Even when there isn't tons of snow

there's always ice and the fools out there to watch out for.

[milestogo]

10. I got an 'electric' car blanket.

Had a regular blanket in the car, but this one can be USB charged ahead of time. Down to 8 degrees F tonight. Wouldn't want to sit in the car for too long without heat.

[lillypaddle]

11. Nice!

Was it expensive?

[milestogo]

15. I dont remember exactly but maybe around $35-$40

I figure I can also use it camping if the sleeping bag isn't enough.

[lillypaddle]

17. Not too bad!

thanks

[2naSalit]

12. Pencil and note pad.

I live in the mountains in the west and I keep a duffel bag of snow/winter gear including a snowmobile riding suit, it's good to -60F and shearling lined boots or some kind of arctic temp boots with good tread. (Yaktrax are good to have handy). Those hand and foot warmers are life savers, they last for hours and they don't cost much plus they are small. I have a hood that is also good for blizzard conditions fits over the collar of the snowsuit. and heavy mittens.

And a roll of paper towels, toilet paper is for indoors as far as I can tell. A towel might be a good idea too, keeping dry is essential.

[ChubbyStar]

13. A TrekPow car charger

Once the TrekPow unit is charged you only need your own battery to jump start the car. Great tool!

[braddy]

14. Blankets are what you put inside your sleeping bag to increase it's warmth, and water is kept at

your feet to keep it from freezing, and if there is snow you better think about what condition your feet will be in after you get out of the car to shovel, repair, or use the bathroom, they and your shoes and the bottom of your cotton jeans will be soaking.

A hand warmer or two thrown inside of your cheap, car sleeping bag and a fleece blanket inside of it with you, can get you through a 5 degree night.

Sleeping warmth is number one to get through a night that can kill you and if you have to walk in those temperatures, know that your tennis shoes and one pair of socks won't do in snow.

If you break down or slide off the road at night, it would be nice to be able to drink some water, get comfy, and go to sleep, you can fix the problems in the morning when people are up, it is daylight, and you are rested.

[lillypaddle]

16. all excellent ideas

thanks

[Poiuyt]

18. In Wisconsin, everyone keeps jumper cables in their cars

[MurrayDelph]

24. Instead of just jumpers

Costco sells a jumper/compressor/USB-port for about $100.

[Demsrule86]

35. I have found jumpers to be useless these days...a trickle battery charger works better.

[NutmegYankee]

42. If a battery has a bad cell a trickle charger is worthless.

Jumper cables still work today.

[Demsrule86]

43. They don't work on many cars...including mine. None of them work.

I have thrown out two as they were completely useless.

[NutmegYankee]

44. It's just a big wire and clamp.

I have no idea what you mean by “they don’t work”. Did you only have cheap thin ones or did you not have a good ground? I’ve helped many who had trouble with them and it was almost always not getting a good ground.

[Demsrule86]

45. That is the issue...those sold rather cheaply in the stores are worthless...and it is hard to find

a better one ...so I use my charger for everything ...lawn tractor, snow blower etc.

My friend Scott handi-guy made this for my girls to carry around... he found an old time parts store and bought 30 feet of heavy welder cable. Cut the cable in half and put heavy duty clamps on the ends. he did mark the positive and negative on each end really well...one of these girls had an old car and never put oil in her car because she didn't know there were no idiot lights in a car that old and actually burned the damn thing up so safety is important! This does work...you have a set of jumper cables that will work in all cases. Scott said the store bought ones are usually #6 cable and it’s to thin as you noted... the clips are cheap as well.

[NutmegYankee]

49. There are nice ones to be found, but they are pricey.

I keep a 0 or 1 gauge in each car with the bare copper clamps and never have issues. But I also make sure I actually get a solid ground too.

[RichardRay]

46. They work fine...

Forty years ago I bought a set of cables that I still carry. Three vehicles since then, but same cables.

o 25 feet long, because you never know where you nd the other battery are going to be.
o 2 gauge wire, woven insulation, to get everything to the other end.
o BIG lamps, big enough to fit over *all* terminals.

I searched online and found similar cables for prices ranging from $90 to $150. I’m glad I’ve held on to mine. 😁

[crickets]

19. Toilet paper / paper towels / trash bag or two

and a change of clothes, or at least shoes and socks. Wet feet are bad juju.

[lillypaddle]

20. Thanks one & all

my list has become much longer!

[GP6971]

21. We carry

in addition to what's already listed;

Folding shovel (army entrenching tool works well)
A mix of Icy Melt and sand...about 20 - 25 lbs.
Roll of paper towels (half a roll)...will get a lot of condensation staying in a cold car. Can double as kleenex and TP.
Individual hand wipe packets
Deck of cards

I also carry tire chains and always have a small first aid kit in the car.

[marked50]

22. And not to be glib or anything

but something to distract you from your situation- like a puzzle book or electronic yahtzee game

[Patterson]

25. Aluminum space blankets. Fresh change of clothes and socks. 12V USB charger and cord.

[JoeOtterbein]

26. An empty beverage gallon with a screw on top works best for a "pee" container.

I learned that the hard way!

[LakeArenal]

28. Two coffee cans.

One to pee
And a candle in the other. It gives off heat without a lot of smoke or carbon monoxide.

[KentuckyWoman]

29. Hand warmers & first aid kit

[Blue_true]

30. You may add reflectors in case they get stuck on a road or highway.

They can place the reflectors so that other drivers see their vehicle before getting to it.

[NCjack]

31. A new, sharp chain for a chainsaw

with nylon cord attached to each end, making possible for two people to use it as a crosscut saw. And, a hatchet.

[marybourg]

32. Or--you can just move to Las Vegas.

[mnhtnbb]

33. I was waiting for someone to say move to Florida

[marybourg]

40. I was going to say: " Move to Phoenix",

But it's getting crowded enough here, so I made it Las Vegas. They still have a little room. Which is more than I can say for the trunks of these posters.

[mnhtnbb]

41. I grew up in snow country

and can remember my parents changing to snow tires in the winter. That was 1950's. We moved to California in 1965. In 1988 my husband and I left California in a new 4 wheel drive Jeep for Missouri. We learned to carry kitty litter in the winter to help with traction if we got stuck in an icy spot. Next cars were another 4 wheel drive Ford Explorer and a front wheel drive Altima after moving to Nebraska.

We always lived in town. Never got stuck out in a snowstorm. Did use the kitty litter a couple of times.

Now I'm retired and have no need to drive in any of the few snowstorms we get in Raleigh.

[Demsrule86]

34. Flares...and those thing that you break open and get they get hot.

Also, energy bars, kitty litter great for getting out of snow and ice...also boards again used to get out of drifts...also battery chargers for cell phone so you can call for help. Stay in the car unless help is near. We have about a a foot of snow right now. I always have candles and a lighter too...in case the flashlights don't work for long.

[Laffy Kat]

36. Cell phone charger?

Although in many places there is no service.

[Demovictory9]

37. gallon zip bags to put your garbage in

[lastlib]

38. A deck of cards!!

First rule of survival when lost is: STAY PUT! Okay--whaddya do while you're "staying put"? of course! Break out the cards and play solitaire! And once you start playing solitaire, it won't be five minutes before somebody comes up behind you, looks over your shoulder, and says, "Put the red eight on the black nine"--and you're FOUND!!




(you can me later......)

[Whiskeytide]

39. Several bottles of water. You can live a few weeks ...

... without food, but only about 3 days without water. And a first aid kit.

[cwydro]

50. Yes, on the water!

Or at least a way to melt snow for water.

[RichardRay]

47. Chains! Good ones!!

Curiously, I don’t see these listed anywhere. Better to not get stuck! Perhaps a bit much for an occasional heavy frost in hilly terrain, but getting home is always better than trying to curl up in a sleeping bag in the back seat.

o Big, honking CHAIN chains. No cable ‘chains’, no plastic ‘chains’, real chain chains. Big, ugly, heavy chains. There are other needs and reasoning for other kinds of chains, but for getting unstuck, chains are the best. (I like’m with ‘V-bar’ re-enforcement Get the chains fitted when you buy them. Check the fit when you change tires.

o Chain tighteners.

o a small vice grip style pair of pliers.

o an inexpensive closed cell foam pad. You will, almost certainly, end up having to lie down in the snow to put the chains on securely. The foam pad will make the experience much less objectionable.

o on the same note, a cheap set of waterproof outerwear. A one piece jump suit is ideal. Waterproof gloves with minimal insulation. Putting chains on requires some dexterity.

o a headlamp. Because you’ll likely end up putting them on in the dark at some point. Regular flashlights never point in the right direction.

o a snow shovel. You should have one of these, anyway, but it’s much easier to get chains on when you can find the bottom of your tires and clear an area to work in.

o put the chains in *two* heavy duty, waterproof bags, each chain in its own bag. Package up 6he whole kit in a durable duffel that can sit on your trunk.

Now, practice putting them on so you know exactly how the whole thing works. practice taking them off and putting them away *neatly*. You’ll be glad when you have to get them out again.

I lived on Donner Summit in the Sierra Nevada, at the top of Donner Pass for 10 winters. I drove a 2 wheel drive Ford Econoline van. I got really good at putting chains on. 😁 I *never* got stuck.

[Skidmore]

48. Full tank of gas.

Shovel.

[flor-de-jasmim]

51. WATER

[Botany]

52. Coffee, wine, and some dope

[redstatebluegirl]

53. I put two of those Thermacare patches in there.

They last for 8 hours and keep you pretty warm.

[lillypaddle]

54. Do they actually warm you all over?

or is it localized?

[Wellstone ruled]

55. Best advise I would give is,

pay attention to the Weather Reports,next learn to read the sky conditions ahead of yourself when driving near or into a possible Storm. Most important is,when you see the possibility of a nasty storm ahead,make sure you have more than a half tank of fuel.

As someone who traveled the Prairies of the Midwest for more than five decades,and have been stranded only twice,the Fuel tank is the top item,never drive on the bottom half unless you have more guts than sense. Spend two nights snowbound because of a Semi getting crosswise on the Highway blocking all traffic. Each time it was the topped off tank that saved myself as well as about twenty others those nights.

Just keep your wits about you and do not panic. And get of your car or truck only to make sure your tail pipe does not get buried by the snow. And if you are stranded with less than a half tank of fuel. Run your motor just long enough to keep yourself from frost bite. Once the Snow piles up against your rig,it acts like insulation. Most importantly,just try not to panic,help will come and if your worried about being buried,tie something bright on your antenna,preferably Red .

[lillypaddle]

56. +1000

This.

[Raftergirl]

57. I don't keep anything in the car.

I’ve lived most of my life in places where snow storms are a frequent occurrence. I’ve never been stuck anywhere. I suppose if I get stuck now, I’ll press the button in my car that connects me with emergency operator.

[Wellstone ruled]

58. Interesting,

I have been stranded a couple of times because the road was blocked by errant Semi Drivers who thought they could bust the big Drift only to mess up the whole road. On Star is useless in those situations,the only way we all survived was working together and when the Storm broke at 4 am we took a inventory as to what we all had just in case. BTW,each time their was a State Patrol suck in the same mess and his Radio Communications helped the Rescue plow dig us out. Which took most of the next day.

[lillypaddle]

59. Continued good luck to you

better safe than sorry, I always say.

At a Glance
At least two people were killed on snowy and icy roads in Ohio on Tuesday.
A 50-vehicle crash blocked Interstate 80 near Austintown, Ohio.
At least four deaths Monday were blamed on the snowy conditions in the Midwest and Plains.

More at link

https://weather.com/safety/news/2019-11-11-november-snow-flights-canceled-highways-covered

Just sayin....

[Raftergirl]

60. I tend not to go out

in bad snow storms now anyway, and if I do it’s only around my town - not out in the middle of nowhere.

I lived in a place (Syracuse) where it snows every day from Nov-April. I learned how to drive there. I had to take my driving test in the snow. And I passed. I’ve been driving in the snow for 43 years.