Winter Car Kit Checklist (UK): What to Keep in Your Car
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The quick answer
Most of a good winter car kit is free stuff from home: a blanket, an old coat, boots, a torch, snacks and water. The few things worth buying are a proper ice scraper and de-icer, a power bank, and, if you can stretch to it, a jump starter (which doubles as power cut kit). If you live up a hill or in the Highlands, add snow socks and a folding shovel.
Every winter the same thing happens: a few centimetres of snow, a closed road, and people stuck in their cars for hours. You don’t need a boot full of gear. You need a small bag that lives in the car from November to March.
Grab from home (free)
- Warm blanket or an old coat, plus a hat and gloves for everyone who usually travels
- Sturdy boots in case you have to walk
- Torch, ideally a head torch so your hands are free (check the batteries)
- Water and snacks that won’t go off: cereal bars, nuts, biscuits
- Phone charging cable that fits your car
- Small first aid kit
- Sunglasses: low winter sun on a wet road is blinding
- A bag for life to keep it all together
If you’ve got kids, add a spare jumper and something to keep them busy. If anyone takes regular medication, carry a day’s worth.
Worth buying
| Item | Why | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Ice scraper with brush | A bank card snaps; a proper scraper clears the screen in a minute | £5–£10 |
| De-icer spray | Faster than scraping, and gentler on the glass | £3–£5 |
| Winter screenwash (rated to about -10°C or lower) | Ordinary screenwash freezes and the jets stop working | £5–£8 |
| Power bank | Keeps your phone alive if you’re stuck. See our power bank reviews | £20–£30 |
| Foil emergency blankets | Weigh almost nothing, keep heat in | About £5 a pack |
| Hi-vis vest | Makes you visible if you have to get out on a dark road | £3–£5 |
| Jump starter | Starts a flat battery without another car, and charges phones. Great in a power cut too | £40–£80 |
| Tyre inflator | Tyre pressures drop in the cold. Plugs into the car’s 12V socket | £25–£50 |
Ice scrapers on Amazon Jump starters on Amazon
Our tip: a jump starter with a USB port earns its place twice. It lives in the car all winter, and comes inside to charge phones when the power goes off at home.
If you live somewhere snowy
- Folding shovel (about £15–£25) to dig out around the wheels.
- Snow socks (about £30–£60): fabric covers that slip over the driven wheels for grip in snow. Easy to fit, and fine for getting off an estate or up a hill.
- Snow chains grip better in deep snow and ice, but they’re fiddlier, and should only be used when there’s enough snow to protect the road. Take them off on clear tarmac.
- An old rug or a bag of cat litter under the wheels can help you get moving if you’re stuck.
Check your size first: snow socks and chains are sold by tyre size, which is printed on the side of the tyre (for example 205/55 R16).
Before a winter journey
- Check the forecast and our weather warnings checker. Under an amber or red warning for snow or ice, ask whether the trip can wait.
- Clear all the glass and the roof. Snow sliding off the roof onto the windscreen when you brake is dangerous, and driving without a clear view can get you fined.
- Keep at least a quarter of a tank of fuel (or charge), so you can keep warm if you’re held up.
- Check your tyres: the legal minimum tread is 1.6mm, but 3mm is much safer in winter.
- Tell someone your route and roughly when you’ll arrive on longer trips.
If you get stuck in snow
- Stay with the car unless help is close and visible. It’s shelter, and rescuers find cars more easily than people.
- Call for help: your breakdown provider, or 999 if anyone is in danger.
- Keep warm with layers, blankets and foil blankets. Move your arms and legs now and then.
Running the engine for heat: clear snow away from the exhaust pipe first, and open a window slightly. A blocked exhaust can fill the car with carbon monoxide, which you can’t see or smell. Run the engine in short bursts rather than all the time.
Why it’s worth 20 minutes
Snow closes roads with very little warning, especially over high ground and in Scotland, and cars can be stuck for hours. A bag of free kit and a couple of cheap buys turns that from frightening into merely boring. While you’re at it, make sure the house is ready too, with our 72-hour plan.
Frequently asked questions
What should I keep in my car in winter in the UK?
An ice scraper and de-icer, a torch, a warm blanket or spare coat, hat and gloves, sturdy boots, a charged power bank and cable, water and snacks, a small first aid kit, a hi-vis vest, and jump leads or a jump starter. Add a folding shovel and snow socks if you live somewhere that gets proper snow.
Are snow socks or snow chains legal in the UK?
Yes, both are legal in the UK. Snow socks are easier to fit and fine for occasional snow. Chains grip better in deep snow and ice but should only be used when there's enough snow to protect the road surface. Take both off once you're back on clear roads.
What should I do if I get stuck in snow?
Stay with your car, call for help, and keep warm with layers and a blanket. If you run the engine for heat, first clear any snow from around the exhaust pipe so fumes can't build up inside the car, and open a window slightly. Put on hi-vis if you get out, and don't walk off into bad weather.
What's the legal minimum tyre tread in the UK?
1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, all the way round. Motoring organisations recommend at least 3mm for winter, because grip on wet and icy roads drops off sharply as tyres wear.