Winter car breakdowns rarely happen at convenient times. A stalled engine, blocked road, or sudden whiteout can turn an ordinary drive into a cold-weather emergency within minutes. Knowing what to do and what to have in your vehicle before winter hits can turn a frightening situation into a manageable one.
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In this post
This article has been updated with current tips and recommendations, February 2026.
I’ve experienced that gut-jolting feeling more than once, and you have too. You turn the key to your car expecting to hear the roar of the engine…and…nothing. Or, you’re cruising along the highway when you notice that the gas pedal isn’t quite working right. Then it dawns on you that you’ve run out of gas. Or, a flat tire leaves you stuck on the roadside. Even on a pleasant, balmy day, these scenarios are frustrating. On a cold day with freezing temperatures and dangerous driving conditions, they’re potentially deadly. If you can’t phone AAA or a friend, do you know how to survive stranded in a car in winter?
If You’re Stranded Right Now, Do These 6 Things
- Stay with your vehicle. Do everything you can to attract attention — flashing headlights, honk the horn
- Call for help immediately.
- Layer up with clothing before you get chilled.
- Run your engine only 10-15 minutes or so per hour — enough to stay warm but not deplete your fuel or battery.
- Make sure the vehicle tailpipe is clear if you’re in snow.
- Crack a window slightly for a supply of fresh air.
How to Prepare Your Car Before Winter Hits
Before you even leave home, do these things.
Tell Someone Your Plans
Tell someone where you are going, the route you are taking, and when you anticipate arriving. If you don’t contact them within an agreed-upon timeframe, they can alert emergency personnel that you’re missing and provide the information that makes their search most effective. This could be part of a family emergency communication plan that every family should create.
Winterize Your Vehicle
Make sure your vehicle is prepared.
- Maintenance: Get your vehicle winterized including, engine, radiator, and windshield washer fluids. Have your battery checked, and don’t forget new wiper blades as well.
- Tires: Get your tires checked. Do they have enough tread to last the winter or do you need to change them for all season or snow tires?
- Emergency Equipment: Put your tire chains or traction mats in the trunk, along with a small folding shovel, and a bag of sand or kitty litter for extra traction if you get stuck. Verify that you have a windshield scraper, tow rope, jumper cables, flares, or portable emergency roadway lights. If you have a larger vehicle, in particular, make sure your tow rope is up to the task. You don’t want a 10,000 lb. rated tow rope to pull out an Escalade, but you don’t need a 30,000 lb. one for a VW Bug.
- Vehicle Emergency Kit: You’re going to need supplies if you’re going to survive in a stranded vehicle in cold weather. Here’s a list for a basic vehicle emergency kit — handy for any season of the year. Check your first aid kit and replenish any used supplies.
- It’s important to have a metal cup or can for melting snow into water. Even an empty soup can will do, provided its metal. Most H2O containers will freeze once your vehicle cools down.
- Store some extra water and high energy foods or snacks like protein bars in the vehicle. This article details how to store water in a vehicle during the winter. Here are ideas for a winter survival food kit.
Dress For The Occasion, But If You Can’t…
Any time you’re traveling in a vehicle through winter weather, you should first dress for that type of weather. You can always change when you get to your destination or remove a layer or two. However, if you are well and truly stuck in snow and ice conditions, that business suit, party dress, or fancy shoes is likely to be the death of you. Atlanta drivers were reminded of this fundamental truth in a few years ago. Snowstorms hit their city and stranded thousands of commuters, many in warm-weather business attire.
The main challenges are moisture from precipitation and the cold, so plan for both.
In the great Atlanta Snowmageddon of 2014, I remember reading about one businessman who left his car and set out to walk for help and safety. The cold was so extreme that he ended up with frostbite on his toes. He was wearing only his everyday business shoes and was completely unprepared.
If you can’t dress for the weather, then at least have items in a waterproof pack or maybe one of those storage bags that allows you to squeeze all the air out so the bag takes up less room — like these. If you change into warmer clothes promptly, you’re going to be better off in the long run even if you have to change clothes in the back seat of the car!
Clothing Items In A Storage Bag
- One pair of wool socks per person. If you think wool socks will be too itchy, try alpaca “wool” instead. It has the same insulating properties as wool from sheep and is lower in lanolin, which is sometimes the cause of that itchy feeling with sheep’s wool.
- Sturdy walking shoes or boots, waterproof if possible. If you have hiking boots but rarely wear them, why not keep them in the trunk of your car or underneath the back seat?
- A tube of Shoe Goo to seal the exterior of shoes against water (Carry a tube of this in your emergency kit, too.)
- Hand warmers — These can also be used to thaw a frozen bottle of water.
- Warm, waterproof gloves — The Hestra brand is at the top of the list for being durable AND truly keeping your hands warm. They’re a little pricey but worth it if you live and/or travel in cold country.
- Rugged work gloves (In case you need to change a tire, clear a road, or do some other manual labor in freezing temperatures.)
- Foot warmers
- Fleece-lined tights — wear these under dresses, jeans, skirts. You’ll love them!
- Knitted wool caps (These are my favorite for keeping my head warm, the key to keeping the entire body warm.)
- Rain ponchos with hoods (large “contractors” trash bags are an okay substitute)
- Wool, silk long johns — The Cuddl Duds brand is highly recommended.
If you’re packing these things for multiple members of the family, make the entire pile easier to organize. Separate out each person’s set of clothes/gear and keep them in separate bags. This way there’s no need to dig through a huge bag of clothes to find one pair of socks.
You can find more cold-weather clothing tips in my trip report from Iceland.
Action Steps if Stranded
Stay with Your Vehicle
Stay with the vehicle, either in it or very near it. Resist the temptation to strike out on foot.
Why?
Because the car provides shelter and protection. It’s also much more visible to searchers and should contain supplies to help you survive until help arrives. (If it doesn’t now, it’s going to after you read this article, because you’re going to assemble them, right?)
Therefore, unless you are 100% certain that a well-traveled road or occupied home/building is within a very short, easy walk and the weather allows, stay put. Rescue occurs much more quickly if you’re with your vehicle. In addition, any exertion causes a lot of sweating (moisture). That only makes it more difficult to stay warm. Dehydration also happens more quickly.
How To Make Yourself More Visible To Searchers
In a winter landscape, bright colors are easy to spot. Imagine a bright red cardinal against the white snow and bare, gray tree branches. If your vehicle is off the main roads, you may need to figure out how to make it more visible for rescue workers or casual passer-by. For example:
- Stretch a mylar emergency blanket across the top of your car and secure it in place with your car doors. It makes a giant reflector for anyone flying overhead.
- Tie brightly colored clothing to an antenna or roof rack, if you have one, or hang something bright out a window.
- Flash a mirror at passing cars or airplanes.
- Honk your horn, flash your headlights, turn on your emergency flashers and dome lights while your engine is running.
- If you have glow sticks, put one on both your front and back windows.
If you’ve told someone where you are going and when to expect you back home, it won’t be long before an active search is called and help is on its way.
But What If You Didn’t Notify Anyone
Let’s play devil’s advocate for a moment, though. What if you didn’t tell anyone where you were going? What if people know where you’re at but conditions are deteriorating so rapidly that remaining in one place could prove catastrophic? How does one decide whether to stay or to go? Read this post for an eight-step process to help you decide whether you should try to save yourself.
Call 911 and a Friend
Once you’re sure you’re stuck and in danger, call 911 immediately. Follow their instructions—your life could depend on it. Afterward, or if you can’t reach 911, contact family or friends with your details, and have them call for help if you couldn’t reach emergency services yourself. Blizzards can knock out phone service or drain your battery, so act quickly.
Speaking of batteries, a charged cell phone is a necessity, as is an external battery pack. I personally use the Patriot Power Voyager XL power bank for its larger size, quick recharge, and solar-power compatibility. A charged battery pack has saved my bacon on many occasions when my cell phone was nearly dead. With your phone, you can make the aforementioned phone calls, utilize Google maps, and access a plethora of smartphone alerts and emergency apps.
Stay Warm
Turn on your engine for ten minutes every hour and run the heater at full blast. (Keep your tailpipe clear of snow.) At the same time, crack open a downwind window just a little to let in fresh air and prevent carbon monoxide build up.
Put on extra clothing if you have it, especially a jacket, hat, socks, and gloves BEFORE you get chilled. It’s easier to maintain warmth than it is to regain it. In addition, wrap yourself in whatever you have available in your vehicle: space blankets, wool blankets, and/or sleeping bag. If you have all or some of these coverings, layer up. Use them all, but not to the point of overheating.
If you don’t have a winter emergency kit, use things like maps, magazines, newspapers and even removable car mats for insulation under and around you.
If you are traveling with someone snuggle up, huddle, and share the body heat. A bivvy is both water and windproof and designed to reflect back your body heat. It is far more durable and useful than the mylar survival blankets, although they do have their uses.
Plenty of search-and-rescue and other emergency responders use mylar blankets, but I’ve seen the cheap versions quickly rip and tear. High quality, durable survival blankets are a much better choice.
Get Moving
OK, so it is a little hard to run in place in most vehicles. But it is important for mind and body to keep your blood circulating and muscles from stiffening up. You can clap your hands and stomp your feet. Move your arms and legs. Do isometric exercises and don’t stay in any one position for very long.
Fuel Your Body
Eat and drink regularly. Not a lot, just snack, so that your body doesn’t pull too much blood from your extremities to digest your food. Follow the instructions in this article to keep water unfrozen in your car.
Beware!
If you’re stuck for long, watch out for carbon monoxide poisoning, hypothermia, and frostbite. These are manageable if you act fast. Crack a window periodically (especially when the engine’s running) for fresh air to prevent carbon monoxide buildup. For hypothermia and frostbite, layer up, keep moving, and snack regularly. Stay moving and stay fueled!
Keep Motivated and Focused
The longer you are stuck in your vehicle, the easier it becomes be to get demotivated, thinking help will never come. It is vital that you keep a positive mental attitude. This one thing will strengthen your will to live. Stay focused on the positive things you need to do to promote your rescue and your survival. Read more about why attitude is everything in survival.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are a number of variables that make it difficult to provide a specific anwer to this question, including how you’re dressed and the supplies you have on hand.
Beyond clothing and supplies, other critical factors include:
* The outside temperature and wind chill
* Whether the car is insulated from wind
* How much fuel you have to safely run the engine intermittently
* Whether you’re alone or conserving body heat with others
* Hydration levels (dehydration accelerates hypothermia)
In general, hypothermia can begin in temperatures as high as 40°F if someone is wet, underdressed, or exposed to wind. In sub-freezing temperatures, an unprotected person can become hypothermic within an hour or less.
You can increase that survival time by staying dry, blocking drafts, insulating your body properly, running the engine in short intervals, and conserving the energy and fuel you have on hand.
Many people assume the car itself will stay warm. It won’t. Once the engine is off, the interior temperature drops rapidly and often matches the outside temperature within a short period. The car is shelter from wind — not a heat source.
Yes, if it’s done safely. A running engine will produce carbon monoxide, which can quickly overcome a person without them ever realizing it. It’s invisible and doesn’t have an odor, so the solution is to, first, make sure the car’s tailpipe isn’t blocked by debris, snow, or anything else. Then, run the engine for small amounts of time, 5-10 minutes per hour. This gives the engine enough time to warm up and generate heat.
If it’s actively snowing, be aware of potential snow drifts that might block the tailpipe. A good rule of thumb in that case is to check the tailpipe each time you turn on the engine.
Turn the heater on low and direct airflow toward your core (torso), not the windshield. Your body temperature matters more than clearing fogged glass during a survival situation.
In most winter emergencies, it is safer to stay with your vehicle.
Your car provides shelter from wind, rain, and snow, and if you have the right supplies, it will protect you from freezing temperatures. It is also much easier for rescuers to spot a vehicle than a person on foot, especially in low visibility conditions.
Walking for help may seem like a good idea, but it carries serious risks:
* You can quickly become disoriented in blowing snow or whiteout conditions.
* Exertion increases sweat, which accelerates heat loss once you stop moving.
* Distances often appear shorter than they actually are, especially in poor visibility.
The only time walking may be appropriate is if you can clearly see a safe, heated building within a short distance and weather conditions are stable. Even then, consider whether you are properly dressed and physically capable of making the walk safely. Snow can hide difficult terrain conditions and be much harder to walk through than expected, even for a fit, younger person.
A car does not hold heat well. Once the engine is off, the interior temperature drops quickly and will usually approach the outside temperature within 30–60 minutes, sometimes faster in windy conditions.
Vehicles have glass, thin metal panels, and very little true insulation. That means they lose heat rapidly. In freezing weather, the inside of a car can feel even colder than the outside air because you are surrounded by cold surfaces that draw heat away from your body.
Wind makes an even bigger difference. While the car protects you from direct wind exposure, blowing snow can strip heat from the vehicle’s exterior, accelerating cooling.
One important detail many people overlook: a parked car does not “trap” warmth for long. Even if it felt warm a few minutes ago, that heat dissipates quickly once the engine stops.
The key takeaway isn’t the exact number of degrees — it’s understanding that your vehicle is shelter from wind and precipitation, not a long-term heat source. Insulating your body becomes far more important than trying to heat the entire space.
We recommend layering clothes, wearing a cap and gloves, and bundling up as soon as you realize you may be stuck in your car for a period of time. This is because hypothermia sets in very subtly, and the early symptoms might not be recognized for their seriousness.
These include shivering — the kind you can’t seem to stop no matter what, pale and cold skin, clumsiness, and fatigue.
One important detail many people don’t realize: as hypothermia progresses, shivering can actually stop. That is not a good sign. It means the body is running out of energy to produce heat.
In a stranded-car situation, early recognition is critical. If you notice persistent shivering, mental fog, or unusual fatigue, it’s time to:
1. Add insulation layers
2. Use blankets or emergency bivvy sacks
3. Run the engine safely to generate warmth
4. Share body heat if others are present
5. Consume small amounts of food and warm fluids if available
Hypothermia doesn’t usually happen instantly inside a vehicle, it develops gradually. The goal is to respond early, before symptoms become severe.
Related Content
- How to Keep Emergency Water Unfrozen in Your Vehicle
- Surviving Iceland: My #1 Survival Concern
- Winter Survival for Kids
- The Beginner’s Guide to Surviving Winter Weather
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Hi, Lisa:
Excellent advice. One thing I would add, and you mentioned it at the very end of your blog. In the winter, always, ALWAYS let someone else know where you are going and when you expect to be back. If no-one knows where you are or when to expect you back, it could be a very long time before assistance arrives.
Your advice to keep an extra battery pack in the car is a really great idea! I had not thought of that one. Our travels frequently take us into Seattle, which is about a 2 1/2 hour trip one way and part of that trip is on a very lightly traveled road along the edge of the Olympic Mountains.
Thanks for the great ideas and advice!
Really excellent article. I like the advice for various heating mechanisms. I find that folks who live in rural environments are at least a little bit better about keeping warm clothing and other essentials in the car. I live in a large suburban area and we had a storm several years ago in which hundreds of motorists abandoned their cars on the side of the highways. Most who did so were walking in only their dress cloths, slick shoes, and maybe a coat. The ‘it won’t happen to me” mindset is universal among city people. I bet few of these same people have changed their behavior since.
Long johns? Seriously? I ain’t undressing in a freezing car. I would think sweatshirt/hoodie/jacket and sweatpants would be more practical.
I have a set of silk longjohns that act as my primary layer under long pants. In really cold weather, I’ve been known to wear fleece leggings over the longjohns and then a pair of pants over those. So, yes, long underwear are the primary first layer when it comes to keeping warm. As far as the sweatshirt/pants suggestion goes, that fabric isn’t the best when it comes to thermal qualities, but it would be better than nothing, for sure.
Trust me. I’m typing this stuck in a ditch. It’s worth it. If you have heaters in your seats turn them on and sit on top the long johns and then put them on. It’s what I’d kill to do right now. My turtleneck, blazer, hoodie and sweats I’ve got on aren’t helping as much as a close to body thermal fabric would that’s designed to keep in heat.
Immediately change your VM on your phone to give location, conditions and to send help. So even if you don’t have cell service people will get your message when trying to get hold of you.
I’ve seen this advice circulating on social media this year, but according to law enforcement, and search and rescue, this is a myth. Changing your voicemail requires cell service, and if you have cell service, you should just call 9-1-1. If you don’t have a cell signal, you’ll be wasting battery life attempting to change VM. Also, if your cell signal is too weak to make a call, or your battery is too low, you may still be able to send a text. Some emergency dispatch centers can get them. Also, to conserve battery life, you should close all apps and turn off WI-FI and Bluetooth. Some of them eat through battery life rapidly. That being said, seriously consider a secondary power source for the phone, so you CAN potentially call 9-1-1, or at least send a text even with a weak signal.
It could be a couple of days before some going to look for you in that ditch if you do not have a cell phone connection.
No one is looking for you if there is no missing person report filled and then there is still a 24 hour that has to pass before they actually are looking for you.
A solar powered phone charger may not be a bad idea. Covers some food, something to make a fire with and maybebe some candles.
This is ridiculous, maybe you’ll need this for certain trips into very secluded areas, but in all honestly this is overkill anywhere else. If you carry all that crap in your trunk all winter, you better drive a big a** suburban or something or you’ll have no trunk space left to use. “a training toilet” !? come on lady, calm down
Survival Mom always recommends tailoring supplies to the needs of your family. And moms are very resourceful when it comes to finding ways to carry/store what they need for their families, which might, especially for a mom of littles, include a training toilet.
Your comment reminds me of people who screech, “I only eat keto so there’s no way I can do food storage since it’s all about stocking up on wheat and pasta.” Think for yourself, man! If your mindset is all about following advice that makes no sense for you, your lifestyle, your circumstances, then you aren’t much of a survivor.
I don’t think any of this would be considered overkill to the 22 year old that lost her life a few days ago. What a “normie” non prepper thing to say. Shortages and turmoil are always around the corner. Be prepared. You are on a survival website – most people on here appreciate this advice. I know I do. Thanks Survival Mom!
Also quick question – my father says to just crack a window when you have the car running to avoid CO poisoning. Would anyone else agree?
Yes, crack that window a tiny bit.
Please tell that to the people who are/were stranded on the highway yesterday(jan 3rd 2022) unexpectedly when a massive pile up closed the road off in both directions during a snow storm that dropped 14inches of snow. Pretty sure most of them are wishing for items on this list.
I’d add some hand and foot warmers . The Dollar store has small boxes of Tuna with crackers or Chicken with crackers to add to your food list. There are also packets of Tuna and chicken which don’t take up a lot of room. I keep extra bottles of water in my vehicles at all times too.
Heating cars with fuel based heaters may reduce available oxygen levels. Study up on this topic before firing one up in a closed vehicle or with partially open windows. Possibly by a battery powered Carbon Monoxide meter to warn you if passengers or space heaters are stuck in a stopped vehicle and oxygen is being depleted below safe levels
Yes, a window must be open a bit to provide ventilation, and the CO detector we recommend is a must.
A shall shovel and a cardboard box are great when you can’t get traction rip the box in half and tuck it in front of the tires
Check eBay for a balaclava with ear pockets for hand warmers.
I live in Stafford, Virginia and just went five days with no power with a 9 year old, two dogs, a betta fish and three foster kittens. It’s below freezing outside and many side-roads weren’t treated or plowed for days. These tips and this website empowered me. I knew how to keep us safe, warm and we had hot meals and hot water everyday. I feel more prepared now. I would probably add snow cleats into my car as any refreeze made places slick. Even just pumping gas I saw people slip. Thank you for this site.
Thanks for sharing your story, Laura! And for the tip about snow cleats!
I just read that 22 people died in stranded cars in Pakistan. The temp was 17F. Sadly, none of these people were prepared for this.
That was a horrible nightmare. The snow level was incredible, which made it extremely difficult to get any help or rescue to those stranded. Very sad.
Just went threw this extreme cold and wind-chill last night in OKC and thankfully I had rubbing alcohol and a can of ravioli in my truck when my heater core froze up and my heater would not work! I ate the ravioli and then poured the alcohol into the empty can and lit the alcohol which burns really slow with a lighter and it saved me I’m sure if it! Puts off alot of comfortable heat for a few hours!! Must vent periodically!! But life saver!! 25 below zero wind-chill OKC ok!!
Glad you made it through alright, Keith!
That was very fortunate to have those specific supplies with you!
Not many people know how to “fix” their cars, but a roll of duct tape, and a small coil of baling wire and a pair of wireman’s pliers (to cut and twist the wire) will fix most coolant hoses (at least temporarily)…these three items could also be used for re-attaching / holding loose outer parts of a car together after a mild fender-bender (or smacking into a snowbank) situation to get you back on the road headed home.
Not many people carry jumper cables anymore either. Of course, none of the above matters if you aren’t a little bit “handy” with tools and knowledgeable about how things work. Research on cars and red-neck repairs (with a basic tool-kit) would definitely be advantageous, though, but that’s just one more thing most people don’t do much of these days.
Most folks leave far too much in the hands of the “experts” and don’t often question “why” things are done the way they are done. Those so-called experts include the medical profession, IT, tradespersons, repair shops, even financial folks.
I’m afraid that over dependence on others is what will eventually get most people eliminated from the planet in a grid-down or other severe SHTF situation.
This post is incredibly helpful! I never thought about how vital it is to have a winter survival kit in my car. The tips on conserving fuel and staying warm are especially valuable. Thanks for sharing these insights—definitely going to prepare my car for winter now!
Great advice here and I’m speaking from someone who grew up in the frigid, hostile, brutal, North and lived in many of those same places: Minnesota, Colorado, South and North Dakota, Alaska, Wisconsin, Upstate New York along the Canadian border. Depending on where you live you may be stuck out there for awhile. In New York the snow plows ran the roads regularly so you could rely on someone seeing you stuck. In South and North Dakota though they get snow they’re not on top of it with snow plows. Those places you need to ensure you had an emergency kit, food and water until the plows showed up after the snow ended.
A tip I’ve learned from having more than one vehicle and packing emergency stuff. I have one Go bag that we keep in the house and when we leave the house it comes with us. In that bag we keep first aid kit, survival kit, Quick Clot, trauma bandages, phone bank, water straw, maps, pet first aid kit, survival instructions, extra boots, socks, gloves, hats etc. for winter travel. We change it out for summer with extras for heat travel. We keep smaller bags in each vehicle that doesn’t have to be refilled and brought in/out with seat belt cutters, flashlights, etc. During a bad winter storm where ice is expected will get bad. If an ice storm hits or the wind is bad power will most likely go out. Be sure to prepare now BEFORE the storm hits and not during or after. Everyone made good points here. Stay safe. Stay warm. Stay hydrated. We survived the Feb. 2021 ice storm down south without power for 26hours with three dogs, three cats and a 55gal fish tank. We were prepared and dressed warmly inside. We have a gas fireplace which helped us keep the house warm at 66 degrees. We took turns staying awake to turn the fireplace on/off as to not waste propane in case the outage lasted longer. We ate can food and used a small camping stove to heat water for tea/coffee. Immersion heaters do heat quickly and to boiling. We have on in our emergency kit. We believe in preparing for the worst scenario and hoping for the best.
Another thing to keep in your car is cat litter to add traction in case you’re stuck or are sliding on ice. Wish you all well! Don’t take a chance with the weather.
Thank you for these extra details!