I know what you mean. I myself don't even own a car right now. So when I travel I'm at the mercy of other's gear and they don't care for preparedness and survival at all. This is the ideal according to they guy who wrote a book I just read, Winter Wise by Monty Alford. At least if you understand the principles it's better than nothing. Memento Mori, and Carpe Diem guys!

Frankie

When I was a kid (pre-seatbelt law days), my parents would pack a lot of stuff on the floor up to the level of the back seat, then cover everything with some blankets.

They did threaten to pack US in the trunk a few times, but never actually followed through.... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

You do what you can with what you've got. All the survival gear you could own rarely surpasses a good helping of common sense.

Sue

Something is always better then nothing though.. if space is an issue for you though, and you stil want something to go with you could get some Emergency Survival Bivvys to put in your car, and if you don't think it would be big enough you could add a Two Person Emergency Survival Blanket in there too.. if you want a down bag that can compress to a tiny ball for yourself but don't want to shell out the change, you could make one (I remember seeing a websight that showed you how about a year ago) that is custom fit to you.. and too, there is always shareing a blanket in the back seat, a surpluss wool or wool emergency blanket would work, just lay it flat in your storage area like your trying to protect the car from spills and stuff and it takes up almost no room.
Don't take this the wrong way, I understand what you were saying and I agree with it, I'm just trying to state some options for people that can't fit the kitchen sink in the back of their economy car (like me)

I don't normally have to deal with snow but temps can get rather low at times (20's) and the humidity is almost always high (75-85 pct). Looking at the distinct possibility of having to bug out from work (on a towboat) and facing 4-7 days cross country hiking to get home presents some problems because I am allowed only a small amount of space on the boat.
I plan to take my bedroll made up of 2 flat sheets, 1 fitted sheet, a falsa blanket, and a pillow. My Army poncho will fold in half and make up the outer shell of a "sleeping bag" that should suffice for "most" of the temps that we get.
This is gear that goes to the boat with me, plus a BOB and a duffle bag with more equipment, food, water, and a few niceties.

For those who must travel in winter with the possibility of being stranded, add a auxiliary heater to your vehicle. Webasto and Eberspacher both produce air and coolant heaters for gas and diesel fueled vehicles. I have a Webasto coolant heater. These types of heaters are very fuel efficient and also preheat your vehicle to enhance starting, pri-warming the interior, and melt ice on the windshield. These are the same heaters used on large trucks and boats. These heaters are common up north.

With these type heaters your fuel will last much longer and allows easier starting when recharging your vehicles batteries. The only precaution is to keep the inlet and exhaust clear to the heater.

For those who cannot self install, the price is less than $2000 for most cars and trucks

Remove it, otherwise you are just another snow drift. A close encounter with a snow plow will ruin your day (most people who get stuck get stuck next to roads), and being missed in an air search can be lethal (if you are stuck on the "scenic" route). While I agree with Burt about it turning the car into an ersatz igloo, if you are planning on trying to drive out, removing a little snow many times uses a lot less energy than moving a lot of snow once, or worse, ice if it melts against the car and freezes (say, in the gaps in the steering or the brakes). And if you are out of shape, less likely to lead to distressing circulatory issues.

Also, if you are using your heater for warmth, you kinda need to keep the air moving, otherwise you'll feel a little light headed, then sleepy, then it will go dark. Can't do that with at least four inches of snow on top of everything.

And if you are like me and claustrophobic, a snowed in car is a fate worse than death. Just like an elevator in a black out. *shudders* Although the quirk is, I've never had the panics in a snow cave- I don't question my demons, I just roll with it.

It sometimes gets down into the 60's or even into the 50's here. I usually have a spare jacket and a rain/wind shell in my car. When it gets into the 50's...man that's cold!

Ok, I know what you are thinking..."a$$h*le!" Yeah, I've been called that before.

Actually, I just wanted to chime in with my two cents and wish everyone, especially those of you where it is cold enough to matter, a safe, prepared and happy holiday season. For those of you who are not PC, Merry Christmas!

If we're lucky it'll go UP to the 50's today here in the Garden State.
<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />Winter is just starting and will get much worse before it gets better.

Oh, I wouldn't think that. I might think "wimp", but I suppose that is the price you pay for the climate. That, and the inflated prices.

You can call me a warm wimp. I can handle that.