What do you keep in your car for emergencies during the winter? (distance, cell phone)

[WyoNewk]

Originally Posted by johnnygoodman

I see kitty litter or sand mentioned in each cold weather emergency kit. What is the use/function of this? Do you throw it ahead of tires that are dug into soft ground?

Yes, or behind them. Usually when you really get stuck, you're rocking your car back and forth a little to get out. Sand, gravel, kitty litter, ashes, etc. thrown into the rut will give a little added traction. You don't throw it onto soft ground so much as onto ice (including snow that's turned to ice from spinning tires).

[rmmoore]

Not sure if some of my items have been mentioned, but I keep a heavy blanket, chemical hand-warmers, extra socks and extra large sweats (for going OVER what you're already wearing, you don't want to strip to put them on ), Coast Guard approved water rations (looks like a Capri-Sun bag and won't freeze unless it's REALLY cold inside your car, in which case you have bigger issues. They don't freeze because of the stuff that's in them, it is NOT pure water), Strike-Anywhere matches (yes, they DO still make them), survival candles are best but any kind will do as long as you have several. The candles give heat, a source for melting snow, and MENTAL comfort as well. Don't discount that as necessary for survival. Many, many poor souls have perished from mental breakdown when they had all that was needed to survive, on hand, but gave up to do desperation. A strong mind and the WILL to survive is as important as having the proper gear and KNOWING how to use it.

The chemical warmers are an AWESOME addition to any kit. They react to oxygen, can last anywhere from 4-8 hours, and produce heat up to 120*, depending on which ones you buy. I use them when hunting, camping, and keep a handfull in EVERY vehicle I own, all year round (we have had snow in July). If I could only have 3-5 items, some of these chem-warmers, matches, candles, food/water rations would top the list. Although, toilet paper is a good idea too. I keep a couple of rolls handy in each vehicle for all kinds of "emergencies" .

[jody_wy]

standard chain, bed roll, jumper cables, each trip fresh water and food.
then there is a gallon can in the truck that has a can opener on top , inside is a roll of TP and a bottle of water and matches, makes for a good heater, also energy bars and water purifiying tablets , a small first aid kit and a small pan, and dry soup mixes and a survial blanket all inside the can

[saskatchewangirl]

I just wanted to thank you all for posting on this thread, as a new driver who has just gotten her first vehicle, I knew I needed an emergency kit but didn't know what needed to be put in it. With the exception of the guns, this has been very helpful for someone who lives in Saskatchewan, Canada. Some other things I would add are to make sure you have some feminine hygiene products -- GUYS TOO! And wipes, pull-ups/diapers plus a change of clothes if anybody who's a frequent passenger isn't potty trained yet. As of tomorrow I will have a duffel bag packed and secured down in my trunk (it's open tot the passengers)!!

[ElkHunter]

Originally Posted by saskatchewangirl

I just wanted to thank you all for posting on this thread, as a new driver who has just gotten her first vehicle, I knew I needed an emergency kit but didn't know what needed to be put in it. With the exception of the guns, this has been very helpful for someone who lives in Saskatchewan, Canada. Some other things I would add are to make sure you have some feminine hygiene products -- GUYS TOO! And wipes, pull-ups/diapers plus a change of clothes if anybody who's a frequent passenger isn't potty trained yet. As of tomorrow I will have a duffel bag packed and secured down in my trunk (it's open tot the passengers)!!

I am glad the list was useful. You will find that most people don't carry everything on the list, but rather something less, depending on the trip. For instance, I don't carry my big bag if I am only going to town (21 miles), but if I am traveling a couple hundred miles, where I don't know every ranch, house, tree, etc... then the big bag goes in the truck.

In Wyoming, you often find that the next town down the road is 100+ miles with absolutely no help in between and if you don't know the area, that bag will save your life if you break down.

Everybody adds this or that to the bag, but when we started the list we decided that "If room and cost was not a factor, what all would you like to have with you, should you get stranded in the middle of nowhere."

[Ryster]

Does anyone have anything like this in their car? It specs as:
-1000 cold crank amp battery
-Starts up to 30 cars before needing to be recharged
-Long lasting polyethylene case (no more dents or scratches)
-No long term lease contracts are required. Rental and service agreements are month to month. If you're not happy with our service you shouldn't be tied into a long contract.
-Regular service/check-ups by our Quick Start Rep.
-24 hour exchange program. Call our 800-22-START when your battery booster needs immediate attention.

Or the Warn quick-connect jump-start set-up?

[sunsprit]

Originally Posted by Ryster

Does anyone have anything like this in their car? It specs as:
-1000 cold crank amp battery
-Starts up to 30 cars before needing to be recharged
-Long lasting polyethylene case (no more dents or scratches)
-No long term lease contracts are required. Rental and service agreements are month to month. If you're not happy with our service you shouldn't be tied into a long contract.
-Regular service/check-ups by our Quick Start Rep.
-24 hour exchange program. Call our 800-22-START when your battery booster needs immediate attention.

Or the Warn quick-connect jump-start set-up?

The jumper units are in my vehicles when I'm out on the road. At price points in the $40+ range, they're a good standby for that time you need a jump or need to give one and they also have the tire inflator on them. The instructions say to charge the unit every month, but I've checked mine for months and the charge indicator has always shown a full charge.

I've not needed a battery jump in decades, but I've needed to give one from time to time. With today's modern electronics based cars, it's a lot safer and more convenient to jump using this independent unit instead of jumper cables from your car's electrical system that can risk damage to your car. Hence, I've ditched the jumper cables in my cars as part of my emergency kit.

[Dport7674]

Half a pack of smokes and a gatorade.

[ElkHunter]

Originally Posted by sunsprit

The jumper units are in my vehicles when I'm out on the road. At price points in the $40+ range, they're a good standby for that time you need a jump or need to give one and they also have the tire inflator on them. The instructions say to charge the unit every month, but I've checked mine for months and the charge indicator has always shown a full charge.

I've not needed a battery jump in decades, but I've needed to give one from time to time. With today's modern electronics based cars, it's a lot safer and more convenient to jump using this independent unit instead of jumper cables from your car's electrical system that can risk damage to your car. Hence, I've ditched the jumper cables in my cars as part of my emergency kit.

.
Many times the gage that is on one of those units is simply a voltage gauge and not a amperage gauge. so the gauges going to show a full charge of 12 volts but the amperage may be down around half and you don't actually have a full charge on the unit. Charging it up once a month is good advice.

[Ryster]

I remember several years ago my vehicle died between towns here in CA. As I was making some calls trying to find someone I knew to come give me a jump, a highway patrol officer pulled up, and asked if I needed help. I told her the car died, she turned around in front of me and gave me a jump-start. Her vehicle had one of the quick-connect jump-start set ups on the front of it. I thought it was a pretty neat idea, LOL. Ironically, about 2 weeks later when my thermostat crapped out and my hoses popped on the way to work in roughly the same place, the same officer pulled over AGAIN to ask if I needed help. It wasn't far, only maybe 5-10 miles to the next town, but she gave me a ride to the parts store to get what I needed to go back and fix it, then took me back. When I got out of the cruiser I said, "We have to stop meeting like this...people will start to talk!" LOL Thankfully I got rid of that car about 3 months later...I was really suprised that a highway patrol officer would go out of their way like that though. ESPECIALLY the waiting for me to get the parts I needed and then taking me BACK to my car. Must've been a slow work day.