That's one of the things I love about my Envoy. The washer fluid tank holds a little over 2 gallons, which is two entire bottles of fluid. Most other vehicles I've owned only hold a gallon...if that.

Tyber's truck kit is more-or-less what you'll find in any work truck that goes well off the beaten path.

Another reason to be prepared is you can be stranded in a snow and or ice event through no fault of your own. Even if you have a vehicle that is equipped to can handle the conditions--roads can be blocked from accidents or storm damage--- and there you sit. As soon as the weather broke enough here after the recent storm--for the state patrol to fly-- they were up in the air with some sort of heat seeking camera checking stranded vehicles for occupants that might be in trouble. And it was only luck they had a break in the weather to do that. Even in a vehicle exposure can be brutal or even deadly without proper cold weather gear and supplies. So far this fall/winter season the PNW has been hit with two storms (one wind and the snow/ice) that came in much more severe than the weather service had predicted. So one can’t just depend on weather reports!

One more piece of equipment that I always carry in my SUV is a small battery powered radio (along with extra batteries) which would give me the ability to keep up on news and weather reports without constantly running the engine or risking running the vehicle battery down.

And most importantly keep those gas tanks topped off in the winter months. During the recent storm here many vehicles ran out of gas when stuck in the jam on I-5.

Excellent point about the portable radio. And topping off the fuel tank is a very wise habit to get into.

I'm putting together a winter car kit for my sister for Christmas. It fits in a ditty bag. Will take pics and post inventory when its completed. Want to mail it off next week so hopefully can wrap it up this weekend.

In addition to the gear in the kit, I'm going to include some instructions and a check list of other items she should have in her car, such as coat and blanket or sleeping bag. She's driving on Mt. Hood frequently as she has a vacation home at 4000-feet (Government Camp).

So thanks again to the OP -- this thread, most of it, is useful.

If those vehicles ran out of gas by running their engines to keep the car heater going, they were taking chances with carbon monoxide emissions. Problems with CO increase when the vehicle is stationary, and especially if the exhaust pipes should become blocked with snow.

Nice warm clothes are a better alternative.

Oh, if I had a 4x4 I would stuff it with stuff... absolutely.

Having a more modest family car (actually, quite roomy) I am very much against filling the cargo space or the passenger compartment with all kinds of stuff. We no longer haul strollers around, which gives a bit more room for emergency equipment, but I still hate having stuff perpetually rolling around back there. The only thing back there is actually the first aid kit (velcro'ed to the side panel) and the emergency triangle, both designed to live there by the manufacturer (and no way to fit them anywhere else, or I would move them too...)

I make great use of the spare wheel drum, which holds a minimalistic "emergency-only" tiny wheel in a normal size wheel drum. This leaves quite a bit for the most basic equipments, including
- Tools
- Jumper cables
- Towing rope
- Gloves
- Poncho and plastic rain suit (single use only)
- 1 litre of sand
- the NATO folding tri-shovel equivalent
- chains

In winter, I add an avalanche shovel (plastic) and some wheel mats (3' long plastic thingy to put under the wheels when stuck in deep snow, untested but probably far better than the floor mats, which I never have been able to make work). I also add a few extra window scrapers and snow brushes (the kids fight over them whenever the car needs scraping or brushing, so I just toss in a few extra). Oh, and I put on really good winter tires.

Glove compartment holds a lighter, flashlight and Mora knife. Side panels hold reflective vests (required by law) and working gloves.


Frankly, we either just drive around locally, in most cases we could just walk home if stuck. And when we drive further away we usually do it for a purpose involving either a day trip or an overnight trip. In both cases we're fairly well equipped.

I am in the process of rethinking this strategy and put together a bigger car cit, along the lines of some food, blankets and such. We'll se how it works out.

Hypothermia,Frostbite,Dehydration,Starvation,Insanity,etc.Will get you,A week in the Hospital or Worse,& The cost could be Astronomical!If I lived in an Area Prone to Freezing-@$$ Weather,I'd Stock up on Everything Possible to Keep my Vehicle & It's Occupants in the Best of The Circumstance!2nd,3rd Mortgage?Ain't Nothin',Compared to Loss of Life & Limb!Equipment is Cheap,No Matter How Expensive it is,Better to have it & Not need it,Than Otherwise!Thanx to Dagny & Tyber,They have Taught me a Good lesson of Winter Minimalism,Should I find myself on that Road!

Now you have the attitude to survive. Read about all of the dead that were unprepared. Read about those in the hospital that were tough, lucky or under prepared. Understand why some people spend many hours, days or weeks in a survival situation. They did not eliminate the word SEARCH out of "SEARCH & RESCUE". Had it been done, they would have been home for dinner.

DON'T BECOME ONE OF THEM.

CARRY A PLB WHEN RURAL
CARRY COMMUNICATION WHEN URBAN

it's just not out on the brush you need a car kit.over in St Paul Mn a couple 70+ years old ladies were stuck in their car for about four hours only a few miles from home.they called for a tow but with a ice storm underway no one showed up.a city sanding truck stopped,they were on a ice covered hill,and said they would send help.nope,nothing.a second sander came hours later and the women and some people behind they finely got moving.i don't carry much in my "city" car thinking a cell phone and blanket should be enough but i'm going to add more including a heater of some sort and a couple bags of sand.

heavy snow = instant wilderness. Add unpreparedness and stir well for calamity.