How to DIY a Winter Car Emergency Kit

Key Takeaways

• Winter car emergency kits should always include first aid supplies. Buy a med kit or create your own with essential tools like bandages and gauze pads.
• Shovels are useful for clearing snow from tires or creating a path for traction.
• What to keep in your car during winter: non-perishable food, jumper cables, and warm clothes.
• Make sure you have visibility and can signal for help by having a high-lumen flashlight in your car.

Drivers should always stay off the roads during hazardous winter weather, if possible. But winter weather can be unpredictable, leaving you stranded in your car.

The solution? A DIY winter car emergency kit. Whether your vehicle becomes stuck, stalls, or you’re forced to wait out a roadside emergency, a kit provides the protection and peace of mind you need. 

Learn what to keep in your car during winter with this guide from Army Surplus World.

Get a Durable Bag to Store Your Gear

Before you start gathering supplies for your winter car emergency kit, you’ll need a military bag with a high capacity to hold all your survival gear. 

MOLLE backpacks and tactical packs are both excellent options. They not only offer ample space but modularity and customization, allowing you to add various pouches or hydration packs to meet your needs. This makes organization and gear access much easier. 

No matter what bag you choose, make sure it’ll fit in your car’s trunk.

Buy or DIY a First Aid Kit

There’s a reason why first aid kits are on every survival list. It’s because they’re absolutely crucial in emergencies. Winter car emergency kits are no exception.

You can pick up an emergency first aid kit or gather the following essentials:

• Bandages – elastic and adhesive
• Antiseptic wipes
• Gauze pads
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Pain relievers
• Latex or nitrile gloves
• Antibiotic ointment

Keep Water and Non-Perishable Food On Hand

If you’re stranded for a while, you’ll need access to food. It’ll help you maintain your energy and body heat. Focus on adding non-perishable, high-energy foods to your winter car emergency kit. Here’s what to keep in your car during winter:

• Military MREs
• Peanut butter
• Jerky
• Granola bars
• Dried nuts or trail mix

Do not forget water! It’s always important, even in the winter. It helps to have water purification and a military canteen attached to your bag to ensure you have access to clean drinking water.

Be Sure to Have a Compact Shovel

Shovels can be indispensable tools should you get stuck in the snow, mud, or wet sand. But we also recommend Army shovels at our Army surplus store. These shovels are multi-purpose, serving not only as digging tools but also as axes, saws, or even mattocks. This allows you to:

• Clear mud or snow from your tires
• Shovel a path for traction
• Pick through icy terrain
• Clear road debris
• Cut small branches

Short on space? Collapsible shovels easily fit in your trunk.

Get Flashlights to Increase Road Visibility

Dark winter days and nights can leave you with minimal visibility. Make sure you can light your way with the high lumen output of a camping flashlight. It’ll also help you signal for help, if necessary. 

Prioritize flashlights with a long battery life, and be sure to include extra batteries in your car. Cold temperatures can make batteries drain faster. 

Tip: Pack one flashlight in your car and another in your winter emergency kit. Not only is it smart to have a backup, but your car flashlight will help as you rummage through your kit for supplies in the dark!

Pack Warm Blankets and Clothing

Stuck on the road? Don’t just rely on your car’s heating for warmth. This can drain the battery, especially if you’re left stranded for an extended period. Pack a warm blanket into your winter car emergency kit, such as a woobie blanket, to stay warm. 

You’ll also want layered military clothing and cold-weather accessories to retain your body heat. What to keep in your car in the winter:

• Extra hats
• Extra socks
• Insulated gloves
• Military poncho and poncho liner
• A full, dry change of clothing
• Thermal clothes/underwear
• Outdoor shirt
• Fatigue pants

Don’t Forget Your Navigation and Communication Essentials

Navigation and communication are critical during winter emergencies. Unfortunately, they’re also often taken for granted in our digital world. But remember: Car GPS is rendered useless if your battery drains. The same applies without a full phone charge.

That’s why your winter car emergency kit should be stocked with both navigation and communication essentials. Wondering what exactly to keep in your car in the winter? We suggest at least two of the following at Army Surplus World:

• Fully charged portable phone charger
• Survival whistle with a high decibel
• Paper map of your area
• Two-way radio
• Military compass
• Flares
• Flashlights with strobe/SOS signaling

Bonus: Make Sure You Have Jumper Cables and Car Emergency Supplies

Winter weather can wreak havoc on roads and cars. Keep from getting stranded by having jumper cables or a portable jump starter in your car. It also helps to include an extra bottle of windshield washer fluid and a tire repair kit (in addition to your spare). These supplies will keep you going until you can reach a repair shop.

Stay Safe All Winter with a Car Emergency Kit

Stay safe and protected with a well-packed kit in your car. It only takes a few minutes to assemble, but it can make a massive difference in case of a roadside emergency. Trust us, your future self will thank you.