Quick answer: Keep a winter emergency kit in your car all season. Transport Canada, the Government of Canada and CAA all list the basics: a small shovel, a scraper and brush, booster cables, a flashlight, a blanket, warm clothes, water and food that will not spoil. If you get stuck, stay in the car and keep the tailpipe clear.
Key takeaways
- The Government of Canada says to keep an emergency kit in your vehicle, with food, water, a blanket, a first aid kit and a small shovel.
- Transport Canada adds traction mats, booster cables, hand and foot warmers, lock de-icer and extra washer fluid.
- CAA says to pick a crank flashlight, because batteries do not last long in extreme cold.
- Transport Canada says that if you get stuck, stay inside when it is safe and make sure the tailpipe is not blocked by snow.
- The Government of Canada says to change the water in your car kit every six months.
Why every Canadian car needs a winter emergency kit
A car stuck on a quiet road can mean a long wait for help. A blanket, a shovel and a charged phone make that wait much safer.
Transport Canada says winter driving is not easy and can be risky, so it helps to be prepared. A kit costs little and fits in a plastic bin in your trunk.
The official winter car emergency kit checklist
Here is a list built from Transport Canada, the Government of Canada and CAA. Items marked with a source are on that group's list.
Keep these inside the car
- Ice scraper and snow brush (Transport Canada)
- Flashlight. CAA suggests a crank type because batteries do not last long in extreme cold.
- Emergency seat belt cutter and window hammer (Transport Canada)
- First aid kit (Transport Canada, Government of Canada)
- Blankets (Transport Canada, Government of Canada)
Keep these in the trunk
- Small shovel with a long handle (Transport Canada, CAA)
- Sand or kitty litter. CAA says to avoid road salt because it can make your car rust. The Government of Canada says to use non clumping cat litter.
- Traction mats (Transport Canada)
- Warning light, reflective safety triangles or road flares (Transport Canada)
- Booster cables (Transport Canada, CAA)
- Tow rope (Government of Canada)
- Extra windshield washer fluid (Transport Canada, CAA)
- Fuel line antifreeze (Transport Canada)
- Extra fuses and a small tool kit (Transport Canada, CAA)
- Fire extinguisher (Transport Canada, Government of Canada)
- Paper towels or a cloth (Transport Canada, CAA)
Food, water and warmth
- Extra socks, gloves, a tuque and footwear (Transport Canada)
- Hand and foot warmers (Transport Canada, CAA)
- Non perishable snacks, such as energy bars (Transport Canada, Government of Canada)
- Water in plastic bottles. The Government of Canada says plastic bottles will not break if the water freezes, and to change them every six months.
Do not forget these
- A charged phone and a charging cable. Transport Canada suggests a battery pack for longer trips.
- Lock de-icer. CAA says to keep it on you in extreme cold, not in the car.
- Road maps and a copy of your emergency plan (Government of Canada)
- A whistle to attract attention (Government of Canada)
Quebec's government also lists a carbon monoxide detector and a safety flag in its winter kit.
Before you leave on a winter drive
Transport Canada gives a few simple steps:
- Keep your fuel tank at least half full.
- If you drive an EV, make sure you have enough range for surprises, since the cold can cut your range.
- Charge your phone and bring the cable.
- Read your owner's manual. Transport Canada says some manuals explain settings to help you get unstuck from snow.
Your tires matter too. See our winter tire laws by province.
What to do if you get stuck in snow or a storm
Transport Canada's advice, step by step:
- Stay calm.
- If your car is not at risk of being hit, stay inside. Going out into a storm puts you at risk of getting lost or too cold.
- Do not do heavy lifting, shovelling or pushing in bitter cold. Transport Canada says this could be deadly.
- Make sure the tailpipe is not blocked by snow. This keeps carbon monoxide out of the car.
- Open a window a bit for fresh air, on the side away from the wind.
- Run the motor as little as possible.
- Use hand and foot warmers instead of the car's heater.
- Wear a hat.
- Set out a warning light, safety triangles or flares.
- Turn on the dome light. Transport Canada says using the headlights too much may run down your battery.
- Move your arms and legs often, stay awake, and watch for traffic or searchers.
Transport Canada made a short video on what to pack.
How to check your kit every winter
A good time to check the kit is when the winter tires go on.
- Replace the water. The Government of Canada says every six months.
- Test the flashlight. Put in fresh batteries if it is weak, or pick a crank type as CAA suggests.
- Top up the washer fluid jug.
- Check that the booster cables are not cracked.
- Swap the snacks for fresh ones.
A dead battery is one of the most common winter calls. Booster cables and a charged phone are the two items most worth double checking. For starting the car on cold mornings, read when to plug in your block heater. For idling rules, see warming up your car in winter and city idling bylaws.
For a wider winter checklist, see our polar vortex car winter prep guide.
FAQ
What should be in a winter car emergency kit in Canada?
Transport Canada lists a small shovel, sand or kitty litter, traction mats, booster cables, a flashlight, a first aid kit, blankets, warm clothes, hand and foot warmers, water and snacks. It also lists washer fluid, fuel line antifreeze and lock de-icer.
What should I do if I get stuck in my car in a snowstorm?
Transport Canada says stay inside if your car is not at risk of being hit. Keep the tailpipe clear of snow, open a window a bit, run the motor as little as possible and turn on the dome light.
Should I keep water in my car in winter?
Yes. The Government of Canada says to use plastic bottles so they will not break if they freeze. It says to change the water every six months.
Is road salt good for getting a car unstuck?
CAA says to use sand or kitty litter instead, because road salt can make your car rust. The Government of Canada also lists non clumping cat litter.
Where should I keep lock de-icer in winter?
CAA says to keep lock de-icer with you in extreme cold, not in your vehicle. If your lock is frozen, the de-icer does no good locked inside the car.