[plplplpl]

CNN FWIW just published an article which includes a list of what to pack in you car for severe winter weather. Besides the fact that it's a little late in the season to start thinking about this, the list is pretty exhaustive.

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/car-tips-winter-weather-wellness/index.html

Do you think it's too much, not enough, or just right, Goldilocks?

Been a while since we had a fresh, new divisive poll wherein we can really tear into each other about out respective wrongheaded opinions.

If anything, what would you add or remove, and why?

Also, which items do you believe you should have, but actually don't?

 

[Loca’s Mom]

I had way too much fun color coding this.
Things I think are missing from CNN's list are umbrella, paper towels, toilet paper, heavy duty trash bags, regular plastic bags, rope/strong string, and a bucket with lid.
I wonder what all they mean by General Car Emergency Kit. Most everything I think would be in that kit is already on this list other than a glass break hammer (I have) or a flare and orange cones (I don't have).
I also have a 3' long piece of pipe that I can use to get enough leverage on the lug wrench if I have to change my own tire.
This is a personal preference but I keep what is essentially a stray dog rescue kit in the car as well.

 

[Tacoma'03Pilot]

This is fun!

I think that the "right" amount really depends on what you're up to. Someone driving into a forest service road with the weather threatening needs more than someone on I-90 who might get stuck or someone doing family hauling in Minnesota.

I also agree with @Loca’s Mom that quite a bit of this list is a good idea any time of year.

For where I live and what I do, I pack for the scenario of being stuck on a highway. Chances for survival are far higher if you stay with the car, so my focus is on insulation, calories and water. If I've got gear to allow me and my passengers to stay warm inside (appropriately-rated sleeping bag, foam pad, hat, gloves) and outside (extra warm coat and rain shell, plus boots) then all I need is water, a few freeze-dried meals, raisins and a stove.

If you can stay warm and hydrated inside the car for 3 days or so and you didn't drive it way off the edge of the world without telling anyone where you're going to be, you'll probably be fine.

However, in the spirit of the thread (promoting divisiveness and bickering), I'll go for a few items I think are silly:

1. Compass. Stay in the car. If you need a compass to tell you where you're going in the car in severe weather, you have far bigger problems than which way is north.

2. Road salt. In a hazardous situation, this will give you exactly nothing. Cat litter is a much better idea.

3. Extra windshield wiper. I loved this one. "Don't worry, kids, I have a spare wiper blade!".

4. A cup to melt snow in. Bring water. If melting snow sounds like a good idea, bring a stove and a pot.

 

[WiiMaster]

For me the answer would be nothing. I very rarely go out when the weather is that bad.

Only time I've done so in recent memory is the 2021 winter blast in TX, and even that was a relatively short trip to a relative's house that had intermittent power.

 

[PHM]

Remove - Spare change and cash. If I am stranded am I supposed to bribe a Bear or Moose to dig me out?

 

[aggrex]

Remove - Spare change and cash. If I am stranded am I supposed to bribe a Bear or Moose to dig me out?

But what about the other upright uncivilized barbarians that come circling around?

 

[Tacoma'03Pilot]

But what about the other upright uncivilized barbarians that come circling around?

For them, legal tender is a 12-pack. That could be helpful, barbarians or not.

 

[Loca’s Mom]

This is fun!

I think that the "right" amount really depends on what you're up to. Someone driving into a forest service road with the weather threatening needs more than someone on I-90 who might get stuck or someone doing family hauling in Minnesota.

I also agree with @Loca’s Mom that quite a bit of this list is a good idea any time of year.

For where I live and what I do, I pack for the scenario of being stuck on a highway. Chances for survival are far higher if you stay with the car, so my focus is on insulation, calories and water. If I've got gear to allow me and my passengers to stay warm inside (appropriately-rated sleeping bag, foam pad, hat, gloves) and outside (extra warm coat and rain shell, plus boots) then all I need is water, a few freeze-dried meals, raisins and a stove.

If you can stay warm and hydrated inside the car for 3 days or so and you didn't drive it way off the edge of the world without telling anyone where you're going to be, you'll probably be fine.

However, in the spirit of the thread (promoting divisiveness and bickering), I'll go for a few items I think are silly:

1. Compass. Stay in the car. If you need a compass to tell you where you're going in the car in severe weather, you have far bigger problems than which way is north.

2. Road salt. In a hazardous situation, this will give you exactly nothing. Cat litter is a much better idea.

3. Extra windshield wiper. I loved this one. "Don't worry, kids, I have a spare wiper blade!".

4. A cup to melt snow in. Bring water. If melting snow sounds like a good idea, bring a stove and a pot.

I agree, it depends on what you're up to. I'm not preparing specifically for winter weather but for any situation I may end up in. I drive on some poorly maintained dirt roads in heavily wooded mountains in the middle of nowhere. I don't go into the woods in severe weather, but even in good conditions it's important to have a plan for how to go find help if needed. Might get lucky and have enough signal to send a text, or be within screaming distance of another person but that's very unlikely.

1. It's not unheard of for a section of road to give way and the options are to find a different route(not always possible) or leave your vehicle and walk. In the woods you can figure out which way is North based on the plants if you know what to look for, but I have a compass just in case.
2. 100% agree, cat litter would be best option but even sand is better than salt.
3. I don't remember if I've ever replaced a set of wipers because they were getting old. I feel like it's always when one gets damaged and suddenly I'm driving with some portion of my windshield not clear. I bet if I had a spare wiper on hand that would never happen again.
4. Always have plenty of bottled water! Primarily for when I'm somewhere that has nasty well water I don't want to refill my bottle with, or to fill up the dog bowl, and occasionally to give to a panhandler.

Remove - Spare change and cash. If I am stranded am I supposed to bribe a Bear or Moose to dig me out?

Widespread power outages are common during winter weather. Frequently, the roads are drivable before power has been restored. You need cash so you can still buy something at the store when the credit card machines and ATMs are down. Can also be used to reward somebody that stopped to help you, or potentially bribe a tow truck driver to stop for you instead of going to their call.

I forgot one important item that CNN didn’t list. A lighter should be a must have in a winter emergency kit. I didn’t think of it at first because unfortunately I’m a smoker who hasn’t quit yet, so I always have several lighters around.

 

[plplplpl]

+1 on the lighter, if only to fire up the cancer sticks you share with a Good Samaritan.

[ex-smoker here]

 

[JerryIrons]

Remove - Spare change and cash. If I am stranded am I supposed to bribe a Bear or Moose to dig me out?

Actually some cash is a good idea to have in the vehicle, and not just for bad weather, more of a just in case thing. Although in today's world a spare credit card might be better lol.

In any event, in bad weather late at night you have car trouble, it's considered good form to offer cash to the person helping you out. I always refuse, but I've heard stories of people only towing others if they had cash on them. My son's friend had car trouble, dead battery, and in the process locked himself out of his car. I was called to help jump start his car, but it was too late as doors were locked. Local police were unable to help with a jimmy bar, called local tow truck company, there was a guy who happened to be out helping somebody else out. This is like sunday evening I think. He stops by with his flatbed, loaded with a disabled car, uses the air bag thing and pops open the door. No paperwork nothing he was being nice no charge. I gave him some cash and made his evening. After he opened door I jumped battery and we all went home.