You might already have some of these winter car kit items stored in your garage.

But it's worth packing the following essential items in your car's boot to ensure you're equipped for breaking down in cold and wintry conditions.

This is particularly vital for people that live or drive through rural, sparsely populated areas where being stuck in freezing conditions could put you in danger.

Here at Fleet UK, our experts give their list of 10 items that should make up a car’s winter kit:

1. Ice scraper and de-icer

Both are basic items, but winter must-haves nonetheless. In 2020, Halford Autocentres polled over 2,000 UK motorists and found that 35% admitted to driving off with their windscreen either misted up or still covered in ice. 

Not only could you risk your safety by driving with an iced-up windscreen, but it could also land you a £60 fine and three penalty points! Legally, keeping your front and rear windscreen clear of snow and ice before driving would be best. 

2. Don’t rely on your smartphone

If you’re stuck on the side of a country road in winter, ensure you have a torch with spare batteries, as a phone light won’t give you much visibility. 

These days we rely heavily on our phones and in-built technology for maps, but if you have no battery in your car, you may find you are limited with your phone battery too. Therefore, it’s worth having an ‘old-school’ paper road atlas if you're lost or your route changes due to a diversion.

3. In-car charger

It’s worth having an in-car phone charger to top up your battery even when you’re out and about. But what if you break down where there’s no phone signal? You’ll need to locate the nearest emergency phone if you're on the motorway. On quieter roads, assess the situation – it may be a case of walking to the nearest house or sitting tight and waiting for a passing motorist to help.

4. Warm clothes and blankets

In case of a breakdown during the autumn or winter seasons, it’s essential to store warm clothes such as a large coat, spare jumper, hat, and gloves in the boot. Having a blanket to hand will also help keep you or your loved ones warm until help arrives.  

You can even buy a heated blanket to use in your car.  You simply plug it into your car's cigarette lighter socket adapter, and the blanket will start warming up, so you and your passengers can stay toasty while waiting for the breakdown services. 

5. High-visibility clothing

If your passengers and yourself need to be outside the vehicle in the dark, you must wear some form of high-visibility clothing so that other motorists can see all of you. It could potentially be a lifesaver.

6. Empty fuel can

Ideally, you would plan your journey to include fuel stops, but things don’t always go according to plan. Have you ever been caught out by having an almost empty fuel tank and thinking, “it will be ok as there’s a petrol station up the road”, only to find that you can’t fill up as the petrol station is closed or a tanker is refuelling it? If you ever find yourself without fuel, it’s essential to have an empty petrol can available.

7. Food and drink

You should take some food and drink when setting off on a journey, especially in winter. Hot drinks in a flask are a good idea.

8. Warning triangles

Warning triangle help warn other motorists that your vehicle has broken down. Try to store two of them in your boot. In an emergency, you should position one in front of the car and the other at the rear. The signs should be placed at least 45 metres away from the vehicle.

9. First aid kit

Hopefully, this is never needed, but it’s worth having one in the car just in case of any accidents.

10. Sunglasses

The winter sun can seriously affect drivers' visibility, creating a glare that makes it difficult to see the road. So it's worth keeping a pair of sunglasses stored in your car.

In addition, it’s worth making yourself aware of the following guidelines set out by the Highway Code for winter motoring:

  • You MUST be able to see, so clear all snow and ice from all of your windows

 • You MUST ensure that lights are clean and number plates are visible and legible

 • You must make sure the mirrors are clear, and the windows are demisted thoroughly

 • Remove all snow that might fall off into the path of other road users

 • Check your planned route is clear of delays and that no further snowfalls or severe weather are predicted. 

Does your car need a winter vehicle check? Check why should get your vehicle prepared for winter here.

Need help with buying or leasing a new vehicle? Call Fleet UK on 02392 245570 or email sales@fleetuk.com, and you will be provided with a dedicated account manager who will help source the right vehicle for your needs.