How to Prepare Your Car for a Winter Trip in Pakistan: NDMA's Checklist
Prepare your car for a winter trip in Pakistan with NDMA's checklist: battery, tyres, brakes, half a tank, anti-skid chains and food and water for 48 hours.
Short answer: Before a winter trip in Pakistan, NDMA says to service the car, test the battery, check tyres and brakes, keep the fuel tank at least half full, carry anti-skid chains, and pack water, food and medicine for at least 48 hours. Check road conditions with the National Highways and Motorway Police first.
Snow and ice close roads without warning. People get stuck in cars for hours, sometimes overnight. A prepared car and a packed bag turn a bad night into an inconvenience.
We read two NDMA sheets on ndma.gov.pk on 14 October 2026: the Home and Car Winterized Checklist and the Key Guidelines for Winter Travel Safety. This guide joins them into one list you can use at the garage and at home.
Service the car before you leave
NDMA's car checklist covers the battery, tyres, brakes, fuel, fluids, lights, heating and defrosting, and the exhaust. Ask a mechanic to check the car before the journey and carry a spare tyre, radiator fluid and lubricants as he advises.
Do this a few days ahead, not on the morning you leave. A garage visit on the day leaves no time to fix what it finds.
| Part | What NDMA says to do |
|---|---|
| Battery | Clean corrosion from the terminals and test that it can start the car in the cold |
| Tyres | Check tread depth and air pressure, which drops in cold weather |
| Brakes | Inspect for wear and check brake fluid |
| Fuel | Keep the tank at least half full |
| Fluids | Top up engine oil, coolant mix, brake, transmission, power steering and washer fluid |
| Lights | Make sure all exterior lights work and keep the lenses clean |
| Exhaust | Check for leaks and keep it free of snow and ice |
Carry chains, a good spare tyre and traction mats
NDMA says to check whether you need anti-skid or tyre chains and to arrange them in advance. It also says to carry chains or traction mats where snow is likely, and to make sure the spare tyre is in good condition with the tools to change it.
Chains are hard to find on the road in a snowfall. Buy them before the trip and practise fitting them once on a dry day.
Pack for 48 hours, not for the drive
The winter travel sheet says to carry drinking water, medicine and enough food for everyone in the car for at least 48 hours, plus warm clothing and a dry set to change into. Plan for being stuck, not only for the planned travel time.
- Drinking water for every passenger for 48 hours.
- Food that keeps, enough for 48 hours.
- Regular medicines and a basic first aid kit.
- Warm clothes for all, and a dry change.
- Chains or traction mats, and a good spare tyre.
Keep the car ventilated while you wait. NDMA says to allow fresh air through the air system or a slightly open window. The exhaust must stay clear of snow so fumes do not enter the cabin. If you feel cold or drowsy, read our guide to spotting hypothermia and frostbite.
Check the road and the weather before you set out
NDMA says to check road conditions on the National Highways and Motorway Police website, check the NDMA website and app for weather, and look at the provincial or regional disaster authority for area alerts. Also confirm your hotel booking and local conditions before you drive.
For the north, our guide to checking road status for Naran, Swat and Chitral shows where the live status appears. On the motorways, see how to check PMD's motorway fog update, and read what to expect in fog and motorway closures.
For how to receive official warnings, see how to get NDMA alerts.
Prepare the home too if you travel from a snowy area
NDMA's home checklist asks for a backup stove and power, snow tools, food that needs little cooking, a first aid kit, insulation on windows and pipes, and ventilation when you burn charcoal or wood. Do these before you leave so you do not return to a frozen pipe.
The same sheet warns about carbon monoxide from braziers and clay stoves, and says to keep a vent open. If the house is empty, turn off gas where you can.
Share your plan with someone at home. Tell them your route, your stops and the time you expect to arrive. If you do not report in, they know where to start looking. Charge your phone and carry a power bank before you set out.
Common questions
How much fuel should I keep in the tank?
NDMA's car checklist says to keep the tank at least half full. The reason it gives is to avoid fuel line freezing. Refuel at every chance on a long winter route.
How much food and water should I carry?
The winter travel sheet says enough water, medicine and food for all travellers for at least 48 hours. That is more than the trip needs on a normal day, and it covers a road closure.
Where do I check road conditions?
NDMA says to check the National Highways and Motorway Police website for the route, and the provincial disaster authority for area alerts. It also says to check the NDMA website and app for weather.
Do I need snow chains?
NDMA says to check whether anti-skid chains are needed and to arrange them. Where snow is likely, carry chains or traction mats. Practise fitting chains before you need them.
Is it safe to run the engine to keep warm?
NDMA says to keep fresh air coming in and to keep the exhaust free of snow and ice. Never sit in a closed car with a blocked exhaust. Fumes can build up quickly.
How we verified this
What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.
Last checked 14 October 2026. We read the NDMA Home and Car Winterized Checklist and the Key Guidelines for Winter Travel Safety, both listed on ndma.gov.pk/guidelines. The tip to buy chains early and practise fitting them is ours. Source: ndma.gov.pk.
About the author
Public Services and Education Journalist
Fajr Riaz is a journalist and content writer at Pakistan Era, based in Lahore. She covers the questions people meet in everyday life in Pakistan: how a public service works, what a change in the rules means, and where to find a reliable answer.
