Illinois Winters Are Brutal — 9 Things You Should Never Leave in Your Car

Illinois winters have a way of turning everyday errands into unintended experiments in extreme cold. When temperatures drop below freezing, and stay there, your car becomes a place where certain items can crack, freeze, leak, or lose effectiveness fast.

Here are nine things experts say Illinois drivers should never leave behind in their vehicles during winter.

Medications

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Prescription and over-the-counter medications can lose potency when exposed to freezing temperatures. Extreme cold can also change how pills and liquids behave, leading to inconsistent dosing. If you pick it up from the pharmacy, it should come inside with you.

Cell Phones and Tablets

Cold temperatures are tough on lithium-ion batteries. Leaving devices in a freezing car can cause rapid battery drain, temporary feature shutdowns, or long-term damage. If a device gets extremely cold, power it down and let it warm up gradually.

READ MORE: 13 Things That Will Make Winter Suck Less in Illinois

Eggs

Eggs left in a cold car can freeze, expand, and crack their shells. Once thawed, cracked eggs should be discarded. Even uncracked frozen eggs can change in texture, limiting how they can be used later.

Musical Instruments

Woodwind, string, and brass instruments are highly sensitive to temperature swings. Cold, dry air can cause cracking, warping, frozen valves, and stuck slides. Instruments should always warm up slowly indoors after cold exposure.

READ MORE: 5 Ways Illinois Winter Won’t Let Seasonal Depression Kick Your Butt

Pop, Beer, and Canned Drinks

Liquids expand as they freeze, which can cause cans to burst or leak. Soda, beer, and even water can turn into a sticky, metallic mess inside your vehicle once temperatures dip into the low 30s or below.

Eyeglasses

Extreme cold can make lenses brittle and warp plastic frames, affecting both comfort and vision. Leaving glasses in a freezing car increases the risk of cracks and misalignment.

READ MORE: Illinois Winters Are Brutal — Why Experts Are Telling Us to ‘Burp’ Our Homes

Canned Foods

Frozen canned goods can lose their seals when the contents expand. Once thawed, these foods may spoil quickly. If a can is bulging, leaking, or smells off, it should be thrown away immediately.

Loved Ones and Pets

Even short periods in an unheated vehicle can be dangerous for children, older adults, and pets. Cold temperatures increase the risk of hypothermia, confusion, and exhaustion.

READ MORE: Illinois Pet Owners: The Things Your Vet Wants You to Stop Buying

A Low Gas Tank

Keeping your tank at least half full during winter helps reduce condensation in fuel lines and ensures you can stay warm if you’re delayed or stuck during severe weather.

Illinois winters are unforgiving, but a quick car check before heading inside can prevent costly, messy, or dangerous problems.