Winter Car Emergency Kit Checklist: What to Keep in Your Car
A dead battery or a snowy ditch is a lot less scary with the right kit in the trunk. Here's exactly what to pack before winter, what's worth buying, and what you probably already own.
Updated October 14, 2026
The checklist
- Ice scraper and snow brush
- Portable jump starter or jumper cables
- Phone charging cable and a charged power bank
- Warm blanket, hat and gloves
- Flashlight or headlamp with spare batteries
- Small folding shovel
- Kitty litter or traction mats for getting unstuck
- First aid kit
- Water and a few snack bars
- Reflective warning triangles
How to pack it
- Use one bin or bag. A trunk organizer keeps it all together and stops things rolling around.
- Keep the scraper and charger up front. You need those every week, not just in emergencies.
- Check it twice a year. Swap snacks and water, recharge the jump starter and power bank, and test the flashlight when clocks change.
Worth buying
Portable jump starter
Best for: Every driver
A compact lithium battery pack that starts your car without needing another vehicle. Most also charge phones.
- No waiting for a stranger with cables
- Doubles as a power bank
- Recharge it every few months
- Match the peak amps to your engine size
Extendable snow brush and ice scraper
Best for: SUVs, trucks and anyone in snowy areas
A telescoping brush with a scraper on one end, long enough to clear the middle of the roof.
- Saves your arms and your coat
- Foam heads are gentler on paint than stiff bristles
Collapsible snow shovel
Best for: Anyone who parks on the street
A small folding shovel that fits in the trunk for digging out wheels.
- Packs flat
- Metal blades last longer than plastic
Traction mats
Best for: Drivers without AWD
Grippy mats you wedge under a spinning tire to get out of snow or mud.
- Reusable, unlike kitty litter
- Store them where you can reach them easily
Emergency blanket and car safety kit
Best for: Families and long commutes
A pre-packed roadside kit with jumper cables, a flashlight, a first aid kit and a reflective triangle in one bag.
- Covers most of the checklist at once
- Cheaper kits skimp on cable thickness. Check the gauge
Trunk organizer
Best for: Keeping the kit in one place
A collapsible bin with dividers that keeps your emergency gear and groceries from sliding around.
- Folds flat when not needed
- Measure your trunk first
Jump starter vs jumper cables
| Jump starter | Jumper cables | |
|---|---|---|
| Needs another car? | No | Yes |
| Charges your phone? | Usually | No |
| Needs recharging? | Every few months | Never |
| Typical cost | $$ | $ |
Common questions
What should be in a winter car emergency kit?
At minimum: an ice scraper, a jump starter or jumper cables, a phone charger, a warm blanket, a flashlight, a small shovel, a first aid kit, water and snacks.
Is a portable jump starter better than jumper cables?
For most drivers, yes. A jump starter works without another car and doubles as a phone charger, though you need to recharge it every few months.
What can I use to get my car unstuck from snow?
Clear snow from around the tires, then put traction mats, kitty litter or sand under the drive wheels and accelerate gently.
Related guides: Car organization ideas · Gifts for people who are always cold
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