Winter Car Survival Kit Under $300: Complete Breakdown Guide

AAA fielded 8.1 million roadside calls last winter—the second-highest seasonal total of the year. When storms hit, that number spikes 200%. Battery failures account for 7 million annual breakdowns, and cold weather cripples them—at 32°F they lose 20% of their capacity, at 0°F they lose up to 50%. Your engine demands more cranking power in freezing temps. You're not getting out without help.

The stakes are brutal. Frostbite starts in 30 minutes at zero degrees. Add wind and you're down to 10 minutes.