A winter car kit should hold food that won't spoil, water in bottles that won't break if frozen, a blanket, extra clothing and boots, a first aid kit with a seatbelt cutter, a small shovel, a scraper and snowbrush, a flashlight, a whistle and traction aids such as sand or non-clumping cat litter. If you are stranded, stay with the vehicle, keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow and run the engine only for short periods.
A car kit is the emergency kit most Canadians already have. In Statistics Canada's 2014 survey, 59% of Canadians reported having a vehicle kit, while 47% lived in a household with an emergency supply kit. The weak point is usually the contents: a kit that works in a hallway closet can fail after a few weeks in a frozen trunk.
The federal car kit list
The Government of Canada publishes a basic emergency kit list for cars. The table follows that list. The notes are our own.
| Where | Item | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin | Food that won't spoil, such as energy bars | Choose bars you can bite when they are frozen hard. |
| Cabin | Water in plastic bottles that won't break if frozen | The list says to replace it every six months. Leave room in the bottle for ice to expand. |
| Cabin | Blanket | Wool or synthetic fleece stays warm when damp. |
| Cabin | Extra clothing and shoes or boots | Hat, mitts, socks and a dry base layer do the most. |
| Cabin | First aid kit with seatbelt cutter | Keep the cutter within reach of the driver's seat. |
| Cabin | Small shovel, scraper and snowbrush | A folding metal shovel outlasts a plastic one. |
| Cabin | Candle in a deep can and matches | On the federal list as a source of light and a little warmth. It is an open flame in a small space, so it needs a cracked window and constant attention. |
| Cabin | Wind-up flashlight | Or a headlamp with lithium batteries. |
| Cabin | Whistle | Carries farther than a voice and takes less energy. |
| Cabin | Roadmaps and a copy of your emergency plan | Paper works without a signal or a battery. |
| Trunk | Sand, salt or non-clumping cat litter | For traction under the drive wheels. |
| Trunk | Antifreeze and windshield washer fluid | Winter-rated washer fluid only. |
| Trunk | Tow rope and jumper cables | Learn the jump-start procedure for your vehicle before you need it. |
| Trunk | Fire extinguisher | Secure it so it cannot roll. |
| Trunk | Warning light or road flares | An LED warning light can be left running. |
Anything you may need while sitting in the driver's seat belongs in the cabin. A trunk can freeze shut or be blocked by a snowbank.
What survives -30 °C and what does not
A vehicle is the harshest place you will ever store a kit. It can sit at -30 °C in January and far above room temperature in July. Several ordinary kit items do not cope with that range.
| Item | Problem in a vehicle | Better choice |
|---|---|---|
| Alkaline batteries | Lose much of their output in deep cold and can leak over time | Lithium primary AA and AAA cells, which are rated to work in extreme cold and are sold with shelf lives of 20 years or more |
| Hollow-fibre water filters | Once a filter has been wet, freezing can crack the fibres with no visible sign | Keep filters indoors. Carry sealed water and purification tablets in the car |
| Water in rigid, full containers | Expands as it freezes and splits the container | Flexible pouches, or plastic bottles with headspace |
| Power banks | Lithium-ion batteries give less in the cold and should not be charged while below freezing | Carry the power bank with you, or warm it inside your coat before use |
| Food | Summer heat shortens shelf life | Ration bars made for vehicle and marine storage, replaced on a shorter cycle |
| Medication | Many medicines are not meant to be frozen or overheated | Carry it on your person |
A foil emergency blanket deserves a note of its own. It reflects body heat and blocks wind, and it insulates very little. Treat it as an extra layer over a real blanket or sleeping bag.
For more on why filters and freezing do not mix, see water filter vs purifier.
If you would rather buy a kit already chosen for cold storage, these are ours.
Clothing and warmth
Most drivers dress for the walk from the door to the car. If the engine stops, that clothing is all the insulation you have. Keep a full set of outdoor clothing in the vehicle from November to April: an insulated jacket, snow pants or wind pants, a hat, mitts and winter boots.
A sleeping bag is warmer than any blanket. If you buy one for the car, look at its comfort rating and ignore the extreme rating, which describes survival and not sleep. For long rural drives, one bag per regular passenger is a reasonable target.
What to do if you are stranded
The standard advice from Canadian road safety guidance is to stay with your vehicle. It is shelter, and it is far easier for rescuers to find than a person on foot.
- Call for help and give your location as precisely as you can. Then save your phone battery.
- Stay in the vehicle unless you can see occupied shelter close by.
- Check that the exhaust pipe is clear of snow, and check it again each time before you start the engine.
- Run the engine for about 10 minutes each hour for heat, and keep a window slightly open on the side away from the wind while it runs.
- Put on your extra clothing early, before you feel cold.
- Make the vehicle visible with hazard lights or a warning light.
- Move your arms and legs regularly, and take turns sleeping if you are not alone.
Keeping the kit ready
Check the kit twice a year, in the fall before the first snow and again in spring.
- Replace the water every six months, as the federal list advises.
- Check food dates and replace anything close to expiry.
- Test the flashlight and replace batteries on a schedule.
- Top up washer fluid and check the shovel, cables and tow rope are still in the car.
- Keep the fuel tank at least half full in winter, so you have fuel to run the heater if you are stopped.
A car kit does not replace a home kit or a go-bag. See go bag vs bug out bag vs 72-hour kit for how the three fit together, the winter storm guide for preparing your home, and the printable checklist to keep in the glovebox.
Frequently asked questions
What should be in a winter car emergency kit in Canada?
The Government of Canada's car kit list includes food that won't spoil, water in plastic bottles that won't break if frozen, a blanket, extra clothing and boots, a first aid kit with a seatbelt cutter, a small shovel, a scraper and snowbrush, a flashlight, a whistle and roadmaps. In the trunk it adds sand, salt or non-clumping cat litter, antifreeze and washer fluid, a tow rope, jumper cables, a fire extinguisher and a warning light or flares.
Which batteries work best in a car kit in winter?
Lithium primary AA and AAA batteries are the better choice for a vehicle. They are rated to keep working in extreme cold and have a long shelf life, while alkaline batteries lose much of their output in deep cold and can leak. Check the flashlight at the start of each winter whichever type you use.
Should I stay in my car if I am stuck in a snowstorm?
Yes, in most cases. Your vehicle is shelter and is easier for rescuers to find than a person walking. Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow, run the engine for about 10 minutes each hour with a window slightly open, put on extra clothing early and make the vehicle visible.
Sources
- Get Prepared: Emergency car kit
- Transport Canada: Winter driving emergency kit
- Get Prepared: Winter driving safety tips
- CAA: Winter driving emergency kit
- Statistics Canada: Survey of Emergency Preparedness and Resilience, 2014
- Health Canada: Carbon monoxide
General information only. Follow instructions from local emergency officials, and call 911 in a life-threatening emergency.