DIY Network

Winter Auto-Emergency Kit In this special edition of DIY's Auto Primer, host Leilani Munter offers tips on winter driving and safety. From "Auto Primer" episode DAPR-106

An emergency kit is something that's good to keep in your car any time you travel, but it's especially important during winter months. Below is a list of items to include in an emergency kit. Some are standard items, while others are specific to winter. Consider assembling a kit like this in case you ever get caught in the worst of winter weather.

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	No matter how careful you are, there's a chance you may run into problems when driving in severe winter weather. Having an emergency kit in your car just makes good sense.
	Figure A

Emgergency-Kit Items:

Cell phone
Phone list
Tire chains
Bag of sand, salt or kitty litter
Snow shovel
Snow brush
Ice scraper
Portable battery charger
Booster cables
Flares or hazard-reflectors
Flashlight
Emergency lights
Fuel line de-icer
Windshield-wiper fluid
Extra antifreeze
Blanket
Extra clothing including windproof pants and warm footwear
First aid kit
Snack bars and emergency food and water
Matches and emergency candle
Road maps or atlas
"Call Police" or other "HELP" signs

	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F

Be Prepared for Winter:

• A portable power station (figure A) enables you to re-charge your car's battery without the need of another vehicle. Keeping one of these in your trunk may keep you from getting stranded in a winter storm. At the very least, you should carry a set of jumper cables in your trunk.

• A tow-rope (figure B) may be helpful at getting you out of a winter-weather bind, or it may allow you to help out a fellow motorist.

• Always carry a good flashlight in your vehicle. Auto centers carry flashlights that also double as caution flashers (figure C).

• A reflective triangle or roadside flares will help warn other vehicles if yours is stranded on a roadside at night.

  Safety Alert: Flares can be hazardous, so read and follow the appropriate safety precautions and use extreme caution when using them.

• A cell phone is one of the most valuable emergency items you can keep in your car. Program your cell phone with numbers you may need in the event of an emergency -- friends, family, auto-club, tow-truck companies, etc. As a backup, keep a list of emergency numbers in your glove compartment (figure D).

• A basic first-aid kit (figure E) is a good item to keep in your car at all times. For a family, you may want a more extensive first-aid kit.

• In winter, it's advisable to keep warm and waterproof clothing in your trunk (figure F). A pair of waterproof hiking boots and extra change of clothing are a good idea, as well as other winter clothing such as a wool hat and gloves. An emergency blanket is a good emergency item in case you were to be stranded in your car overnight.
  

• Properly fitting tire-chains (figure G) are advised for serious winter driving, but should only be used in snow and ice.

• Other snow-related items you may want to keep on-hand are an ice scraper, snow brush and snow shovel (figure H).

  Figure G

  Figure H

  
  
  
  

  RESOURCES :
  

  The Complete Idiot's Guide to Trouble-Free Car Care
  Author: Dan Ramsey
  ISBN: 0028635833
  Alpha Books

  Auto Repair for Dummies
  Author: Deanna Sclar
  ISBN: 0764550896

  ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  	Selecting and Installing Tire Chains
  	Auto Care: Winterizing Your Vehicle
  	Winter Driving Tips
  	Winter Auto-Emergency Kit
  	QUICK-CLICK to Video Highlights from Auto Primer Episode 106