[CertainInalienableRights]

This is a good time to think about putting a few things in the trunk of the car for emergencies if you live in (or travel to) areas with snow potential.

I bought a couple of cheap vinyl bags at a discount store. Put in a blanket, a light, but warm jacket that's "squishable", some candles, lighter, matches. An old coffee can (to put the candle in), some canned food (and can opener), working flashlight, some basic tools (including a collapsible shovel), flares, etc. I can take the bags of winter stuff out in the summer, or transfer them to another vehicle.

It isn't even a bad snow you have to worry about - fuel pumps, just as an example, can often die without warning leaving your car essentially dead. If you're in the middle of nowhere in the winter, the car's going to get cold fast. Even if you're in the city, if its a bad night, you may have to wait hours for a tow.

I had a starter give up the ghost at a Home Depot when it was bitterly cold. I walked out of the store as they were closing. By the time I figured out what was going on, the doors were locked and no one was up front. Late at night, in a large shopping area, there's no place to walk to - just vast empty, windy parking lots and empty stores. I waited 2 1/2 hours for a tow that night because the cold had disabled a lot of vehicles. Luckily, I had a cell phone on me and some of the above provisions, but it was still a long, cold wait and that was in a major metropolitan area - not the middle of nowhere.

[Elsie]

Luckily, I had a cell phone on me and some of the above provisions, but it was still a long, cold wait and that was in a major metropolitan area - not the middle of nowhere.

Uh.... call a cab! ;^)

[Twinkie]

A few cans of sardine, a few high nutrition bars and a few bottles of water can go a long way to helping you survive in a harsh situation. Those space blankets are good to throw in as well. Flashlight & extra batteries kept current. The other stuff you mention is also a good idea.

[wideminded]

It isn't even a bad snow you have to worry about - fuel pumps, just as an example, can often die without warning leaving your car essentially dead.

I have sometimes wondered if it would be possible to carry enough spare parts to prevent the possibility of such breakdowns. Perhaps someone could create a special vehicle with two engines.