My stranded in a car survival tip:

Three little letters ... P - L - B

Seriously, the way I look at it is that even in winter my SUV provides a very good shelter ... at least good enough to keep me and my family alive until rescue crews initiated by the PLB can find and rescue us.

Still, I make sure I always bring my cell phone and its car charging cable, a mapping GPS (so I know exactly where I am), a good flashlight (Streamlight) for signaling at night, a knife (Mora) to help start a fire, firemaking tools (lighter & firestarters), and some 55 gallon orange trash bags (to make the truck MUCH more visible in daylight and act as emergency rain gear). In winter I make sure my family & I are dressed for the weather - no running out to the truck in light jackets - and I carry a few blankets.

I also plan my trip routes well in advance and let people know where we'll be going and when we'll be back (usually the person caring for our horses).

Ken