Winter Car Kit for DC, Maryland & Virginia Drivers

Winter around DC doesn't always bring big snow, but it brings cold snaps, icy mornings, long backups on the Beltway and early darkness. When something goes wrong (a flat, a dead battery, an empty tank in a traffic jam), the things in your car decide whether you wait comfortably or shiver on the shoulder.

Here's a practical kit. You don't need everything at once; start with the first table.

The must-haves

Item	Why
Phone charger or power bank	Your phone is your lifeline for calls, ETA texts and sharing your location
Warm blanket, hat and gloves	If the engine can't run, the car gets cold fast
Flashlight with fresh batteries	Phone flashlights drain the battery you need
Ice scraper and snow brush	Seeing out every window is a safety must
Water and a few snacks	Backups and waits can run long
Reflective triangles or a safety vest	Makes you visible on a dark shoulder

Tire and battery basics

• Check your spare. Many drivers find out their spare is flat only when they need it. Check its pressure when you check the other four.
• Know where the jack and lug wrench are, and make sure they're actually in the car.
• Find the lug lock key. If your wheels have locking lug nuts, the key is usually in the glove box, center console or trunk. Without it, the wheel can't come off until the lock is removed, which we can do on site (wheel lock removal).
• Jumper cables or a charged jump pack can get you going if someone stops to help.
• A tire pressure gauge costs a few dollars and tells you the truth fast.

Fuel: the "half tank" habit

In winter, try not to let the tank drop below half. A long backup on I-495 or Route 301 with the heater running burns fuel even when you're barely moving. Keeping more fuel also gives you more time with heat if you're stuck. If you do run dry, fuel delivery brings enough to reach a station.

If you get stuck and have to wait in the car

• Keep the tailpipe clear. If you're stuck in snow, a blocked tailpipe can push exhaust into the car. Never run the engine with the tailpipe buried.
• Run the engine in short stretches for heat instead of nonstop, and crack a window slightly.
• Stay buckled in with hazards on if you're on a highway shoulder.
• Share your location with someone you trust and with whoever is coming to help.

Save one number before you need it

The worst time to search for help is when you're cold, stressed and your battery is at 5%. Save a roadside number in your phone now. Many of our customers tell us they keep ours saved for exactly this reason.

Quick pre-winter check (10 minutes)

1. Check all five tires' pressure (four + spare).
2. Look at the tread. If it's getting thin, winter is the time to replace it.
3. If your battery is three or more years old, have it tested.
4. Top up washer fluid with a winter mix.
5. Test all lights: headlights, brake lights, hazards.
6. Pack the kit above in a bag or bin in the trunk.

Need help this winter?

TB Roadside covers DC, Alexandria and Prince George's County, from Upper Marlboro to Brandywine, 24/7, for flat tires, jump starts, lockouts, fuel and tows. Call (877) 265-9250, and save it in your phone while you're at it.