Winter Car Kit: Tyre Inflators, Jump Starters and What Else to Carry

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Quick answer

The Highway Code suggests that in icy or snowy weather you carry an emergency kit of de-icer and an ice scraper, a torch, warm clothing and boots, a first aid kit, jump leads and a shovel, together with a warm drink and emergency food. A portable jump starter can replace jump leads if there is no one to help, and a 12V tyre inflator helps you keep tyres at the right pressure. Before any winter journey, check the forecast, clear all snow and ice from your windows, lights and number plates, and only travel if your journey is essential in severe conditions.

Why a winter kit matters

Cold weather is hard on cars. Batteries struggle to start engines in low temperatures, tyre pressures drop as the air cools, and ice and snow can leave you stranded for longer than you expect. A small, well-packed kit means you can deal with common problems, stay warm and safe while you wait for help, and get moving again sooner.

There is no law in the UK requiring you to carry an emergency kit in a private car, but it is sensible advice, and the Highway Code recommends one for icy and snowy weather.

The Highway Code winter kit

Rule 228 of the Highway Code suggests carrying:

• De-icer and an ice scraper
• A torch
• Warm clothing and boots
• A first aid kit
• Jump leads
• A shovel
• A warm drink and emergency food

It also advises checking the weather forecast before you set off and not driving in icy or snowy weather unless your journey is essential.

Useful extras

Item	Best for	What to look for	Why it helps
Portable jump starter	Flat batteries when no one is around to help	Suitable for your engine type and size, clear instructions, safety protections	No second car needed
12V tyre inflator	Topping up tyre pressure at home or roadside	Digital gauge, auto shut-off, cable long enough to reach all tyres	Cold weather lowers tyre pressures
Phone power bank	Keeping your phone charged to call for help	Enough capacity for at least one full phone charge	Your phone is your lifeline
Hi-vis vest	Visibility if you have to leave the car	Fits over a coat	Helps others see you
Blanket	Staying warm while waiting	Wool or fleece, plus a foil emergency blanket	Engines can’t always be kept running
Spare batteries	Torches and small gadgets	Fresh, in-date alkaline batteries	Cold drains batteries faster
Screenwash	Clear visibility	A winter-rated screenwash	Water alone can freeze

Deals on our radar

Product	Best for	What to look for	Deal
AstroAI Car Jump Starter Power Bank	Starting a car with a flat battery, and charging a phone	Check it suits your engine, read the connection steps, keep it charged	AstroAI Car Jump Starter Power Bank
AstroAI Portable Tyre Inflator, 12V Digital Air Compressor	Keeping tyres at the right pressure through winter	Plugs into a 12V socket; check the gauge, preset and cable length	AstroAI Portable Tyre Inflator
220-Piece First Aid Kit Bag	A compact kit for the boot	Check the contents list includes dressings, bandages and gloves	220-Piece First Aid Kit Bag for Travel, Car and Home
Energizer Alkaline Power AA Batteries, 32 Pack	Spare power for torches and gadgets	Check which battery size your torch needs	Energizer Alkaline Power AA Batteries

Using a jump starter safely

A portable jump starter is a battery pack with clamps that can give your car’s battery enough power to start the engine. The key steps differ by model, so always follow the manual. General points:

• Check it suits your vehicle. Jump starters are rated for different engine sizes and fuel types.
• Keep it charged. It is no use flat. Top it up every few months and before long winter trips.
• Connect the clamps in the order the manual specifies, making sure they don’t touch each other.
• Don’t use it on a damaged, leaking or frozen battery. Call your breakdown provider instead.
• Store it as the manufacturer advises. Extreme heat or cold can affect lithium batteries.

If your car battery keeps going flat, it may need testing or replacing. Many garages and parts retailers can check it.

Tyres in winter

Tyres are your only contact with the road, so they matter even more in cold, wet and icy conditions.

Tyre pressure

Cold air lowers tyre pressure. Check your tyres at least once a month and before long journeys, ideally when they are cold. The correct pressures are in your vehicle handbook and often on a sticker inside the driver’s door or fuel filler flap. A 12V digital inflator makes this quick to do at home.

Tread depth

The legal minimum tread depth for cars in the UK is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread, around the whole circumference. More tread helps with grip in wet and slushy conditions, so many drivers choose to replace tyres before they reach the legal limit.

Condition

Look for cuts, bulges and objects stuck in the tread. If in doubt, ask a tyre specialist.

Before you set off in winter

The Highway Code says that before setting off in icy or snowy weather you must be able to see, so clear all snow and ice from all your windows. You must also make sure your lights are clean and number plates are clearly visible and legible. It also advises clearing snow from the roof, as it can fall onto the windscreen or into the path of other road users.

Other quick checks:

• Fuel or charge: keep at least a quarter of a tank, or plenty of battery charge in an EV, in case of delays.
• Screenwash and wipers: top up with winter-rated screenwash and replace worn blades.
• Lights: check all bulbs work.
• Phone: fully charged, with your breakdown provider’s number saved.
• Tell someone your route and expected arrival time on longer journeys.

If you break down

• Get to a safe place if you can, and switch on your hazard warning lights.
• On a motorway, if it is safe to do so, leave by the passenger-side door, move behind the safety barrier and call for help.
• Wear warm clothing and your hi-vis vest if you have one.
• Call your breakdown provider, or 999 if you or anyone else is in danger.