Chicago Winter Car Emergency Kit & Stranded Driver Guide

Use this guide for the people, supplies and travel decisions involved in a winter delay. For battery, tire, brake and fluid checks before the season, start with our Chicago winter vehicle-maintenance checklist.

Before Leaving: Make a Winter Trip Plan

Check the forecast and Illinois road conditions before departure. If conditions are poor, postpone a nonessential trip. Tell someone your route and expected arrival time, and charge your phone. Keep a gasoline vehicle's tank close to full; for an EV, plan charging stops and allow for reduced cold-weather range. These steps follow NHTSA's winter travel guidance.

Clear snow and ice from the whole vehicle, including the roof, windows and lights. On the road, slow down, leave extra stopping space, avoid cruise control in snow or ice, and give snowplows room. Bridges and ramps can be icy even when nearby pavement looks clear. See IDOT's winter driving precautions before traveling.

What to Keep in a Chicago Winter Car Kit

A useful emergency kit should help you stay visible, warm and able to communicate. Store it where you can reach it without standing in traffic. Check the kit each fall and replace expired food, batteries and medications.

• Visibility: reflective warning triangles, a bright flashlight and spare batteries
• Snow and traction: an ice scraper, compact snow shovel and a small bag of traction material
• Warmth: blankets, gloves, a hat, dry socks and an extra outer layer
• Communication: a charged power bank, phone cable and written emergency contact numbers
• Basic supplies: first-aid kit, water, shelf-stable snacks and necessary medication, stored according to its instructions
• Vehicle support: jumper cables or a jump pack, tire-pressure gauge and portable inflator

Keep the vehicle's owner manual with the kit. Jump-start points, towing procedures and jack locations vary by vehicle, especially on hybrids and vehicles with batteries mounted outside the engine compartment.

What to Do if Your Car Becomes Stranded

1. Get out of the traffic path if the vehicle can move

Signal early, reduce speed gradually and move to a parking area or as far from moving traffic as conditions safely allow. Turn on the hazard lights. If the car cannot move and is exposed to traffic, call 911 and follow the dispatcher's instructions.

When asking for help, describe your location, travel direction, nearest exit or cross street, vehicle and number of passengers. Mention any immediate danger. Use roadside assistance for a breakdown when you are safely parked; use 911 for an emergency.

2. Stay with the vehicle during dangerous weather

A parked vehicle provides shelter and is easier for responders to locate than a person walking through snow or low visibility. Stay belted when stopped near traffic. Leave the vehicle only when remaining inside creates a greater danger or emergency personnel direct you to move.

3. Prevent carbon-monoxide buildup

The National Weather Service advises stranded drivers to stay in the vehicle, clear snow from the exhaust, and run the engine for about 10 minutes each hour with a window slightly open. Recheck for drifting snow before running it again, only when it is safe to do so. Never run the engine in an enclosed space or use a grill or open-flame heater inside the car. If you cannot keep the exhaust clear safely, leave the engine off and tell emergency responders.

4. Conserve power, fuel and heat

Send your location and situation to a trusted contact, then reduce unnecessary phone use. Use a bright marker to help rescuers find you, and the dome light at night when the engine is running, as the National Weather Service advises. Limit other unnecessary accessories. Put on extra clothing before you become cold, and move your hands and feet periodically without overexerting yourself.

If the Car Will Not Start in Cold Weather

Cold weather reduces battery output while a gasoline or diesel engine needs more power to start. Clicking or slow cranking does not establish which part has failed. Follow the owner's manual rather than repeatedly trying to start the engine; jump-start procedures and approved connection points vary by vehicle. If you cannot follow the procedure safely, arrange roadside help.

Before another trip, ask about battery and starting-system evaluation in Chicago. Depending on the symptoms, battery, charging-system or other electrical checks may be needed; a jump-start alone does not establish that a battery needs replacement. Tell the shop whether the engine cranks, clicks or loses electrical power.

If You Slide, Get Stuck or Have a Flat

Avoid spinning the tires continuously; it can dig the vehicle deeper into snow and overheat drivetrain components. Clear snow from around the driven wheels, straighten the steering wheel and apply power gently. Use traction material if it can be placed without entering traffic.

Do not change a tire on a narrow or snow-covered traffic shoulder. Hazard lights and reflective triangles improve visibility, but they do not make an exposed roadside repair safe. Call for roadside help and remain protected inside the vehicle when conditions are unsafe.

Prevent the Emergency Before the Next Storm

After a delay or breakdown, note the warning lights, sounds and weather conditions while they are fresh. Use our winter vehicle-maintenance checklist to plan any follow-up checks before the next trip. Ask what an inspection covers and what charges apply before approving work.