6 things to keep in your car this winter

The beginning of the year brings wintry and sometimes dangerous road conditions. Cold snaps can cause ice to form on the roads, and falling snow will impair your vision while driving.  

To make sure you’re well-prepared for driving this winter, we’ve put together a list of must-haves you’ll need while you’re on the road. 

Ice scraper 

An ice scraper and/or some de-icer is a necessity for your car in winter.  

Some hacks, like pouring hot water over your windscreen, can cause damage to your car so it’s best to go with safer methods. De-icing spray can cause damage to your paintwork with prolonged use, so using an ice scraper will work best. Plus, it has the added benefit of warming you up in the morning as you de-ice your windscreen. 

Warm clothes 

If your car breaks down and you’re stuck, it’s important that you can dress warmly.  

You may have to get out of your car if you’ve broken down in a dangerous spot, and having warm clothes can really make a difference while you wait for your breakdown service to arrive. 

Hi-vis clothing 

Along with warm clothes, you should also make sure you have something hi-vis or reflective to wear if you break down. Winter has fewer daylight hours, and you might break down during the night.  

Stay safe by wearing a hi-vis jacket or something that will reflect car headlights to keep you as safe as possible while you wait. 

Jump leads 

The cold weather can affect your car battery, so it’s best to be prepared. A flat car battery can be easy to get going again, but only if you have jump leads or a jump pack. 

If you have jump leads, you’ll need another car to help you jumpstart your own, but a jump pack will let you do it by yourself. 

Phone charger 

You should always keep a phone charger or powerpack in your car. If you’re on a long journey or have connected your phone to your car via Bluetooth, you might find your phone battery drains quite quickly. 

If you get stuck in snow or your car breaks down, you’ll need your phone not only to call your recovery company, but also to let your friends and family know where you are.  

Top tip: Keep the number of your breakdown company written down in your car in case you don’t have a signal to google it 

Food and drink 

If you find yourself stuck in weather-related traffic or you’ve broken down somewhere, it’s always good to have some snacks. You often won’t know how long you’ll be stuck and some protein bars or chocolate will keep you energised. 

For more info about winter driving, check out our blog on staying safe in freezing conditions