BOOT UP – ESSENTIALS TO CARRY IN YOUR CAR
The key essentials to carry when going on any car journey are a full tank of fuel, a mobile phone (and in-car charger) and a credit card. Another great piece of plastic to have, just in case, is a membership card for a breakdown organisation.
Depending on your location and the weather at the time help might take a while to reach you. So if you breakdown in the middle of nowhere this winter it makes sense to carry a few more items in the car.
A bottle of water and some snacks like jellies and chocolate will keep you ticking over. A high vis vest for all occupants (a legal requirement in some EU countries) and a torch are important should you have to leave the car or change a wheel.
Jump leads, a can of window/lock de-icer, ice scraper, first aid kit, basic tools like pliers, craft knife and screwdrivers plus some winter woolies (hat and gloves) to help keep your extremities warm (they are always the first to suffer).
If you are stuck due to snow and can’t move a pair of ‘snow socks’ for the driven wheels or better still two pairs is ideal. An old blanket or jacket can have another use apart from the obvious and that is as an aid to traction.
Place the blanket on the snow in front of the driven wheels (most cars are front wheel drive) and the tyres will get grip driving over it and you should be able to get the car moving again. If you don’t know which wheels on your car do the driving, and a surprising number of owners don’t, they’re the ones that spin quickly when you try to move off.
You can also use your car mats under the front of these wheels to gain traction. A small coal shovel is well worth carrying in the boot along with a bag of kitty litter. The litter is as good as road grit for providing traction to the tyres, so throw it in front of the driving wheels.
A roll of duck tape (carpet tape) and a few cable ties are also useful as you may need to make minor repairs to bumpers or other parts that may have been damaged or snagged in the snow.
Whenever you call the emergency services or breakdown service make them away of your circumstances so they can prioritise the needy. Let them know if you are alone, if you have children in the car, if you’re on medication etc.