While it might be chilly outside right now, the thought of sub-zero temperatures and a blinding blizzard on a remote country road feels like a distant concern. However, winter in this region is unpredictable-a slide off an icy road into the forest or a dead battery is all it takes for your warm cabin to turn into a refrigerator within minutes.
This article outlines 8 practical and affordable items that every driver should keep in their boot before the frost sets in.
8 Lifesavers for Your Winter Trunk
- A compact metal or heavy-duty polycarbonate snow shovel: Flimsy plastic shovels break the moment they hit hard-packed snow. Invest in a collapsible, professional-grade camping shovel so you can quickly clear snow around your wheels and undercarriage.
- High-quality, thick jumper cables (at least 25-35 mm² gauge): Cheap supermarket cables are often just thin copper strands under thick rubber insulation that fail or melt when trying to deliver the high cranking current needed to start a cold engine.
- A heavy-duty tow rope (rated for at least 5-7 tonnes): Ensure the rope has robust steel carabiners and is of the elastic kinetic type, which reduces the shock load during a pull.
- A warm blanket or emergency space blanket: These tiny silver foil packs take up less room than a smartphone, yet they reflect 90% of your body heat to prevent hypothermia while waiting for help.
- A reliable flashlight (a headlamp is best): During winter, it is dark for most of the day. Having both hands free while changing a tyre or inspecting the engine is invaluable.
- A bag of silica sand or cat litter: A handful of grit under your drive wheels provides instant traction on pure ice when your tyres are just spinning hopelessly.
- Warm work gloves: Touching an icy jack or wheel lug nuts with bare hands at -15°C can lead to frostbite in mere seconds.
- A power bank for your phone: Smartphone batteries drain up to three times faster in freezing temperatures. Without a charged phone, you cannot call for assistance.
Check your tow eye! In many modern vehicles, the front tow hook is a separate screw-in component usually located with the spare tyre. Check that it hasn't gone missing and that the bumper thread is clear of rust and debris.
A prepared driver is a confident one. If you find yourself in a situation you cannot resolve on your own, our 24/7 vehicle recovery service is ready to help you anywhere, anytime.