What to include in your car emergency kit.
Learn about the helpful things to keep in the car. And be prepared with Tesco Car Insurance and Breakdown Cover.
Published: 20 January 2026
Be prepared for winter driving - or any driving
A little prep goes a long way when you go out driving, whatever the weather. Keeping your car maintained and planning ahead are essential to staying safe on the road.
If you do run into problems, a car emergency kit can help you deal with them. And keep you safe while you’re waiting for help.
Your car emergency kit - all year round
Pack our car emergency kit to help solve most of your roadside niggles.
- Phone charging cable and power bank - Your lifeline if you need to call for help, share your location or check traffic. Cold weather drains batteries fast.Phone charging cable and power bank - Your lifeline if you need to call for help, share your location or check traffic. Cold weather drains batteries fast.
- A bright torch - Helps you check tyres or read a map at night and makes you more visible to others. It’s a good idea to have spare batteries or a wind up torch as well.A bright torch - Helps you check tyres or read a map at night and makes you more visible to others. It’s a good idea to have spare batteries or a wind up torch as well.
- High vis vest - Pop it on before you step out of the car, so other drivers can see you. Especially useful on dark or rural roads.High vis vest - Pop it on before you step out of the car, so other drivers can see you. Especially useful on dark or rural roads.
- First aid kit - For minor cuts and scrapes from changing a wheel or lifting a bonnet.First aid kit - For minor cuts and scrapes from changing a wheel or lifting a bonnet.
- Tyre inflator or foot pump - Helps keep your tyres at the correct pressure, to help with grip and fuel economy. Can reinflate a tyre after a slow puncture and get you safely to a garage.Tyre inflator or foot pump - Helps keep your tyres at the correct pressure, to help with grip and fuel economy. Can reinflate a tyre after a slow puncture and get you safely to a garage.
- Microfibre cloths and paper towels - For demisting windows and mopping up spills that make your car’s controls slippery.Microfibre cloths and paper towels - For demisting windows and mopping up spills that make your car’s controls slippery.
- Drinking water and non perishable snacks - To keep you hydrated, and your energy levels up, if you’re stuck for a while.Drinking water and non perishable snacks - To keep you hydrated, and your energy levels up, if you’re stuck for a while.
- Small amount of cash - Some small, rural car parks or garages might still prefer coins to cards.Small amount of cash - Some small, rural car parks or garages might still prefer coins to cards.
- Paper road atlas - Handy if you lose mobile phone signal or the sat nav packs up.Paper road atlas - Handy if you lose mobile phone signal or the sat nav packs up.
- Sunglasses - A summer or low winter sun can be blinding. Sunglasses can reduce glare and improve reaction time.Sunglasses - A summer or low winter sun can be blinding. Sunglasses can reduce glare and improve reaction time.
- Gloves and waterproofs - Protects your hands and keeps you dry if you’re waiting or working at the roadside.Gloves and waterproofs - Protects your hands and keeps you dry if you’re waiting or working at the roadside.
- List of emergency contacts - Friends and family who might be able to help, or you might need to call. Plus, your breakdown cover and car insurance details, in case you need to make a claim.List of emergency contacts - Friends and family who might be able to help, or you might need to call. Plus, your breakdown cover and car insurance details, in case you need to make a claim.
And remember, never leave home without your mobile phone, if you have one. You never know when you might need to call for help.
What should you include in a winter emergency kit for your car?
When temperatures start to drop, add these to your car emergency kit. For safety, warmth and getting unstuck.
Safe winter driving
- Ice scraper and de icer - Clears windows quickly so you can see properly and set off safely.Ice scraper and de icer - Clears windows quickly so you can see properly and set off safely.
- Winter grade screenwash - Stops the jets freezing and keeps the windscreen clear of salt and grime.Winter grade screenwash - Stops the jets freezing and keeps the windscreen clear of salt and grime.
- Engine oil and coolant or antifreeze - For safe top ups if your car’s warning lights come on. Prevents overheating or freezing damage. But only if it’s applicable to your make and model of car, so always check the handbook.Engine oil and coolant or antifreeze - For safe top ups if your car’s warning lights come on. Prevents overheating or freezing damage. But only if it’s applicable to your make and model of car, so always check the handbook.
Warmth and comfort
- Warm jacket, thermal or foil blanket and extra layers - Keeps your body heat in if you’re waiting for help.Warm jacket, thermal or foil blanket and extra layers - Keeps your body heat in if you’re waiting for help.
- Hat, gloves and spare socks - Warm extremities help you to stay comfortable and focused.Hat, gloves and spare socks - Warm extremities help you to stay comfortable and focused.
- Sturdy boots with a good grip - For safer footing on ice if you need to step out of the car.Sturdy boots with a good grip - For safer footing on ice if you need to step out of the car.
- Hand and foot warmers, and a flask - Handy if you’re sat in a cold car for a while.Hand and foot warmers, and a flask - Handy if you’re sat in a cold car for a while.
- For kids and pets - Spare blankets, snacks, water and any essentials (like nappies, medicine, dog leads and poo bags). Comfort buys you calm while you wait.For kids and pets - Spare blankets, snacks, water and any essentials (like nappies, medicine, dog leads and poo bags). Comfort buys you calm while you wait.
Getting stuck and getting moving
- Warning triangle (non motorway use only) - Place at least 45m behind the car, if it’s safe to do so, to alert traffic.Warning triangle (non motorway use only) - Place at least 45m behind the car, if it’s safe to do so, to alert traffic.
- Small folding shovel - Clears snow from around tyres and the exhaust (important for ventilation).Small folding shovel - Clears snow from around tyres and the exhaust (important for ventilation).
- Grit or an old rubber mat - Adds traction under the driven wheels to help you pull away gently. Sand or cat litter might also work.Grit or an old rubber mat - Adds traction under the driven wheels to help you pull away gently. Sand or cat litter might also work.
- Tow rope - For controlled assistance if you’re stuck off-road or in snow. Only use the proper tow points and always follow the instructions in your car’s handbook.Tow rope - For controlled assistance if you’re stuck off-road or in snow. Only use the proper tow points and always follow the instructions in your car’s handbook.
Preparing for winter driving
Find out how to prepare your car for winter and stay safe on the road with our handy guides:
Difference between emergency and breakdown kits
Emergency and breakdown kits sound similar, but they solve different problems. Here’s how to tell them apart and what to include in each one.
Emergency kit
Keeps you safe, warm and visible while you wait.
- Warm layers and blankets - Helps prevent hypothermia if the heater’s off.Warm layers and blankets - Helps prevent hypothermia if the heater’s off.
- Water and snacks - Keeps you hydrated, and your energy levels up. Helps you think clearly and stay comfortable.Water and snacks - Keeps you hydrated, and your energy levels up. Helps you think clearly and stay comfortable.
- Torch and high vis - So you can see and be seen, reducing risk at the roadside.Torch and high vis - So you can see and be seen, reducing risk at the roadside.
- First aid kit - Treats minor injuries from simple roadside tasks.First aid kit - Treats minor injuries from simple roadside tasks.
- Phone power bank and charging cable - So you can keep your phone charged, call for help and share your location.Phone power bank and charging cable - So you can keep your phone charged, call for help and share your location.
- Paper atlas - Provides a backup for navigation, if your battery dies or you don’t have a mobile phone signal.Paper atlas - Provides a backup for navigation, if your battery dies or you don’t have a mobile phone signal.
- Ice scraper, de icer and cloths - Helps you to maintain clear visibility in wintry weather.Ice scraper, de icer and cloths - Helps you to maintain clear visibility in wintry weather.
- Basic tools, duct tape, cable ties - To make temporary fixes until you can get your car repaired.Basic tools, duct tape, cable ties - To make temporary fixes until you can get your car repaired.
Breakdown kit
Helps you to sort a problem safely at the roadside.
- High vis and torch - Essential for making safe checks around your car.High vis and torch - Essential for making safe checks around your car.
- Warning triangle (non motorways only) - Alerts other drivers to a stopped car ahead.Warning triangle (non motorways only) - Alerts other drivers to a stopped car ahead.
- Wheel change basics - Jack, wheel brace and locking wheel nut key, if your car has a spare. Kneeling mat and gloves for comfort and protection. Only change a wheel where it’s safe - never on a motorway hard shoulder.Wheel change basics - Jack, wheel brace and locking wheel nut key, if your car has a spare. Kneeling mat and gloves for comfort and protection. Only change a wheel where it’s safe - never on a motorway hard shoulder.
- Tyre repair or sealant and tyre inflator - To make a temporary fix on a puncture, so you can drive to a garage for help.Tyre repair or sealant and tyre inflator - To make a temporary fix on a puncture, so you can drive to a garage for help.
- Jump leads or jump starter - Can restart a car with a weak 12V battery, so you’re not left stranded.Jump leads or jump starter - Can restart a car with a weak 12V battery, so you’re not left stranded.
- Tow rope - For gentle and short relocation to a safe spot. Always use the correct tow points and follow the manufacturer instructions.Tow rope - For gentle and short relocation to a safe spot. Always use the correct tow points and follow the manufacturer instructions.
- Spare fuses and bulbs - Restores key functions, like lights or wipers, if they fail.Spare fuses and bulbs - Restores key functions, like lights or wipers, if they fail.
- Your breakdown cover details - Plus, a note of your location markers, like motorway SOS numbers. So you can get help as quickly as possible.Your breakdown cover details - Plus, a note of your location markers, like motorway SOS numbers. So you can get help as quickly as possible.
You can learn more about car breakdowns in our guide - What to do if you break down.
Keep moving with Breakdown Cover from the RAC
It’s important to be prepared when you go out on the road, especially in winter. But if you do get stuck, our Breakdown Cover could help.
Depending on the level of cover you choose, our Breakdown Cover can include:
- 24/7 UK roadside assistance from the RAC24/7 UK roadside assistance from the RAC
- Home StartHome Start
- Vehicle recoveryVehicle recovery
- Travel supportTravel support
You can add Breakdown Cover as an optional extra when you buy Tesco Car Insurance.
Help for Car Insurance customers
If you’re a Tesco Car Insurance customer, find out how to manage your policy, get in touch or make a claim.
Important information
Tesco Car Insurance is arranged and administered by Tesco Insurance and is underwritten by Tesco Underwriting Ltd.
Tesco Insurance Breakdown Cover is provided, administered and underwritten by RAC Insurance Ltd.
You’ll find complete details of the cover, monetary limits, exclusions, excesses and terms in our policy documents.
Learn more about Car Insurance
Compare our Gold, Silver and Bronze comprehensive cover and save money with your Clubcard. For drivers aged 21 and over.