Winter Car Care: Essential Gear to Keep in Your Trunk

Cold weather turns small car problems into bigger ones — a marginal battery that was fine in summer can fail outright in a deep cold snap. Here's what's worth having on hand before the temperature drops.

A Charged Jump Starter

Cold weather is exactly when batteries are most likely to struggle. Keep a portable jump starter charged and in the car all winter rather than only reaching for one after the first cold snap — and recharge it indoors, since lithium packs shouldn't be charged below 0°C. Our jump starter guide covers sizing.

Winter-Rated Wiper Blades

Standard wiper blades can crack or skip in freezing temperatures. Swapping in fresh beam-style blades before winter (not after the first bad storm) keeps visibility solid when it matters most.

A Tire Inflator

Tire pressure drops as temperatures fall — Transport Canada puts it at about 7 kPa (1 psi) for every 5°C drop. A portable digital tire inflator lets you top off pressure in the driveway instead of guessing or driving on soft tires all winter. See how to choose a tire inflator for Canadian winters.

An LED Work Light

Shorter days mean more repairs happen in the dark. A rechargeable magnetic work light makes any driveway fix — jumper cables, wiper swaps, checking fluids — much easier to see clearly.