Here’s Everything You Should Keep in Your Car Just in Case of a Winter Emergency, According to an Expert

I’ve become a catastrophizer as I collect more responsibilities. Now a parent with a family to take care of, an aptitude for preparation is a great attribute, but it’s also a slippery slope from emergency fire ladder under the bed to full-on Blast from the Past bunker. (Don’t worry—we’re not there yet.) At the risk of sounding alarmist, one plausible scenario to keep in mind is the potential for a roadside emergency—especially during winter weather conditions. Actually, it’s not alarmist at all, given that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 320 fatal traffic crashes and an estimated 22,293 injury crashes related to snowy or slushy conditions in 2023. To quell my fears and remain vigilant, I decided to make a roadside emergency kit to keep in my car throughout the remaining winter months.

I reached out to Fang Shusheng, owner and CEO of the automotive accessories brand Nilight, for advice on creating a roadside emergency kit for the winter months. “Preparation is key for winter driving,” Shusheng explains. “By purchasing products prior to expected storms and keeping them in your vehicle, you’ll have peace of mind that you have the tools you need in case of an emergency to help both you and your vehicle stay safe.” Especially in risky driving conditions.

Below, Shusheng shares his expert-approved tips for staying safe while driving in winter weather—plus, his Amazon recommendations for car emergency kit must-haves.

Expert-Approved Winter Car Emergency Picks

• Nilight Essential Car Emergency Kit, $54 (was $70)
• Hulkman Alpha Ultra Red Jump Starter, $90 (was $150)
• Zonetech Heated Car Window Ice and Snow Scraper, $30 (was $40)
• Nilight Fuel Pressure Tester Kit, $65 (was $72)
• BoostHero Portable Car Battery Jump Starter, $125
• Limitless Innovations React 7-in-1 Vehicle Emergency Multi-Tool, $40 (was $50)
• Artizles Auto-Tightening Snow Chains, $100 (was $130)

Winter Driving Tips from an Auto Expert

In addition to finding out what items I should put in a homemade emergency car kit, I asked what my family and I should do if we end up in a storm-related crash or emergency.

“In the event of a roadside emergency, try to stop in a safe place, far away from other vehicles who could skid,” Shusheng recommends. “Since wintry weather can significantly decrease visibility on the road, it’s important to make sure your car is visible, keeping interior dome lights on, putting bright markers on the antenna, and turning on any exterior LED lights you may have.”

Shusheng also stresses the importance of preparation. “Take the time to plan ahead of time and make sure you’re equipped with the tools and equipment you may need,” Shusheng explains. “Having necessities on hand can help you feel more calm and confident in a roadside emergency, and taking steps to be prepared prior can reduce your risk on the road.”

Nilight Essential Car Emergency Kit

The Nilight kit has everything you need in the event of a roadside emergency—whether that emergency is affected by winter weather or not. Inside the 6.82x12.14x7.1-inch durable plastic bag, you’ll find a jumper cable, tire plug kit, tire pressure gauge, snow scraper, reflective warning triangle, reflective safety vest, safety hammer, hand-driven flashlight, emergency poncho, multi-purpose plier, tow rope, and more.

“Having a complete car emergency kit is one of the most important products to keep inside any vehicle, regardless of if you live in a place that often receives harsh winter weather,” Shusheng explains. Shusheng calls it “a simple solution to several roadside emergency scenarios,” and also stresses the importance of choosing a kit “that’s widely applicable to several vehicles, so you can easily transfer it between vehicles, if needed.”

This one is compatible with most cars, trucks, RVs, and even motorcycles. It also includes a 49-piece first aid kit, which includes a variety of bandages, medical tape, gauze pads, safety pins, a tourniquet, scissors, and cotton swabs.

Hulkman Alpha Ultra Red Jump Starter

According to Shusheng, “Cold temperatures can reduce battery power, making a jump starter a necessity during the winter.” Thankfully, this Hulkman model reaches a full charge in less than an hour, and can portably power 7.0-liter gas or 4.0 diesel engines. It’s compatible with sedans, SUVs, trucks, and more, and even features both USB-C and USB-A ports for powering phones and other devices with 65-watts of fast charging.

This Hulkman model has a “high-brightness 2.9-inch LED screen,” and “ensures battery levels and instructions stay visible, even during low visibility conditions,” Shusheng says. “Weighing just 1.53 pounds, it offers a portable option that easily fits in a glovebox—important for when convenience is necessary during a storm.”

It also features a built-in 200-lumen flashlight with low, high, strobe, and SOS modes. The jumper starter has an IP65 rating, which means it’s capable of operating through a range of temperatures—from -4 degrees to 113 degrees Fahrenheit.

Zonetech Heated Car Window Ice and Snow Scraper

“Snow and ice can build up quickly on windshields, mirrors, and headlights during a storm, severely limiting visibility,” Shusheng explains. “Especially during freezing temperatures, a heated ice/snow scraper [is] a necessity for melting snow and removing stubborn ice. This Zonetech scraper also has a built-in LED flashlight, helping to illuminate surfaces when winter weather makes visibility low or for driving in the dark.”

Nilight Fuel Pressure Tester Kit

The fastest way to get a flat tire is to have at least one low-pressure tire, which is more likely to occur in harsh weather. However, according to Shusheng, “catching these issues early can prevent you from potentially becoming stranded when a storm strikes.”

“Cold weather conditions can impact your vehicle's fuel efficiency, especially when temperatures drop, so it’s important to monitor your vehicle’s fuel pressure,” Shusheng explains. “Having a fuel pressure tester in your vehicle, like this kit from Nilight, can help you conveniently assess fuel injection pump pressure to diagnose potential leaks and pressure issues.”

BoostHero Portable Car Battery Jump Starter

This car battery jump starter is another great option that can power most cars, trucks, SUVs, and motorcycles, as well as lawn mowers, boats, and ATVs. It’s part starter, part flashlight, part power bank, and comes with a 24-inch charging cable, USB car charger, and cables with built-in LED lights.

“Convenient, multi-use tools are great to have on hand during a roadside emergency to help with a number of potential situations,” Shusheng says. “This BoostHero tool has both jump-starting and charging capabilities, compatible with several vehicles and products. It can also act as a flashlight,” a non-negotiable necessity that Shusheng says every car “should always have” in case of “low visibility and unpredictable conditions.”

Limitless Innovations React 7-in-1 Vehicle Emergency Multi-Tool

“This is another multi-tool that can have several uses during a roadside emergency,” Shusheng says. “It can act as both a car charger and a portable charger, connecting to both the vehicle power socket and any USB device. Along with a flashlight, this tool has some more unique uses, such as being able to act as a window glass breaker and seat belt cutter.” 

In addition to a concealed spike that can break window glass and a covered seat belt cutter, this multipurpose tool even includes a built-in safety siren so you can send out an SOS.

Artizles Auto-Tightening Snow Chains

If you live in a particularly vulnerable area that’s more likely to get frequent ice and snow storms, keeping a snow chain in your car is a good idea.

“Snow, ice, and slush buildup on roads during a storm prevent tires from gripping the road, and can result in skidding or sliding,” Shusheng explains. “Tire chains are able to help prevent this by creating traction on ice and snow and giving tires a better grip. These Artizles chains have a quick-install buckle for easy installation and removal, and are made of premium manganese steel alloy that won’t damage your tires.”