(Count yourself lucky if it's less than that where you live).
So, since we live in what can only be described as an "extreme" environment, what should Canadians carry in their car? Here is comprehensive list:
- Emergency roadside kit: You never know what could happen – you might come upon an accident or you might suddenly run out of fuel. It's better to be prepared for everything. Include candles, blankets, and emergency pylons in your roadside kit.
- First aid kit: From tiny boo-boos to more significant "owies". Include disinfectant and bandages. Most emergency kits come with this but double check and stock up.
- Jumper cables: In case you leave your lights on, or to be a friendly Canadian to someone in distress. Spend extra to get longer ones because some day you'll face a situation where the shorter ones just won't reach.
- Spare tire, jack, and wrench: Seems obvious and a lot of cars come with them. Just make sure that they are usable. If necessary, invest in a better jack and wrench if your auto manufacturer was a little cheap. Jack stands also provide a little extra stability and assurance.
- Salt, sand, kitty litter, extraction devices, and snow shovel: During winter, roads get a little snowy (or sometimes a lot snowy) and every good Canadian has found themselves in a ditch from time to time. A combination of some of these tools can help you deal with those times.
- Ice scraper and snow brush: Avoid using your credit card or thumbnail to remove ice.
- Umbrella, raincoat, winter coat, extra mittens, rubber boots, winter boots: If everything worked the way it was supposed to, we'd always get where we need to go. But cars break down and, as luck would have it, they always seem to break down in the wettest, coldest weather. Be prepared with the right gear.
- Car manual, insurance card, accident report form: Keep these in your glove compartment so you can get at them when you need them. (You can download a free accident report form from here).
- Oil and season-appropriate washer fluid: You might not need to carry oil with you all the time if you mainly drive around the city but you should always carry season-appropriate washer fluid.
Obviously it doesn't make sense to carry all of these things all of the time. But keep these things near your car and when the season calls for it, put it in your car. You'll be glad you had it.
Something else you should carry with you is the phone number to a local Boyd Autobody & Glass shop. If you get into a collision, call your insurance company and call us right away.
