Everything you should keep in your car in cold weather

With the weather taking a turn as winter arrives, it’s important to know what to keep in your car to stay safe on the roads.  

Here are some of the most useful things you can keep in your car during winter months. 

Ice scraper 

It’s a lot quicker to manually scrape the ice off your car in the morning than wait for it to melt away. You should also keep a can of de-icer in your car for when the ice is too thick to be scraped off.  

Avoid using hot water in case you crack the windscreen. It’s also illegal to leave your car unattended and your engine idling on a public road to melt the ice on your windscreen. 

Phone charger 

Always carry a spare phone charger in your car in case you get stuck for a long period of time and need to charge your phone to call for help. A charged battery pack is also a good idea for emergencies while winter driving. 

Torch 

Instead of relying on your mobile phone’s torch, make sure you have a torch in your car. Your best option is a wind-up torch as they don’t need batteries. If your torch does run on batteries, make sure you have some spare ones in the car. 

High-visibility clothing 

If you need to get out of your car in the dark, it’s vital that other drivers can see you. You should always have a hi-vis vest in your car, but extra fluorescent items can help too, such as a hat and gloves. 

Warm clothes and blankets 

If you break down in cold weather it’s good to have some warm clothing on hand, especially if it’s not safe to stay in your vehicle. Spare jumpers and coats are a good start, but you could have hats, scarves and gloves as well.  

A blanket is a bonus item you’ll be grateful for should the need arise. 

Breakdown company’s contact details 

Keep the details of your breakdown policy handy, along with their contact information. You may also need your car insurance provider’s details.  

Jump leads 

The cold weather can affect car batteries so it’s definitely worth keeping a set of jump leads in your car in case you (or anyone else) need them. 

You need a black and a red lead. Always check the battery isn’t leaking before using jump leads – if you’re not confident to do this, contact your breakdown company or car insurance provider. 

Food and drink 

Even if you’re only going on a short distance journey, it’s a good idea to bring snacks and drinks; you could break down or find yourself stuck in unexpected traffic. Snacks will keep any children in the car happy as well. 

Empty fuel can 

Keep an empty fuel can in the car in case you run out of fuel and can’t get your car to a petrol station. You can take the can with you when you walk or get a lift from your breakdown company to the nearest petrol station.  

Warning triangles 

If you break down on a single or dual carriageway, you can use warning triangles to let other drivers know. You should have two – one for in front of your car and one for behind.  

Place them 45 metres away from your car. Always take care when putting the triangles on the road and don’t do it if you feel unsafe – it’s not a legal requirement. Never use a warning triangle on the motorway. 

Shovel 

If your car gets stuck in heavy snow, you may find yourself having to stop and dig yourself out. A small shovel can make this process go much quicker and stop you from getting too cold. 

Sunglasses 

It might seem a little strange to keep sunglasses in your car during winter, but the winter sun can be dangerous to drivers. In particular, the low sun and glare from wet roads can be blinding, so it’s good to protect yourself with sunglasses. This helps keep you and other road users safe. 

For more information, check out our blog on how to drive safely in winter