The winter season is a busy time for many. There are several Christmas presents to buy and holiday parties to attend. However, before you get swept up in the rush of holiday shopping, you might want to check whether your vehicle is equipped to handle the slippery snowy roads you may encounter. Better yet, why don’t you include some of these auto accessories in your shopping list, so you can turn your daily driver into a winter-ready car?
Shovel
While you can’t stop the snow from covering the roads, you can dig yourself out by keeping a shovel in the trunk. Having a shovel ready makes it easier to save your tires from thick snow. It can get tiring shoveling all that snow away, but it’s better than spending money on roadside assistance.
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Jumper Cables
Don’t forget to add jumper cables to your list of winter car essentials. Car batteries naturally recharge as you drive, but the biting cold can stop your car from even starting. Because cold weather slows down the electrochemical reaction in the battery, it also drains around 30% to 60% of your battery power.
Our Top Picks:
- AC Delco 20943125 Jumper Cables
- OEMTOOLS 24335 20 Ft. 4 Gauge Booster Cables
- Schumacher Electric BC4 20 ft. Jumper Cables
Antifreeze
The cold weather isn’t just a threat to your car battery. It can also turn the engine’s water into ice, which can cause several engine parts to rupture. To prevent this, it’s best to top off your coolant reservoir with enough antifreeze. Antifreeze decreases the water’s freezing point, preventing it from freezing over. You can also get antifreeze that’s specifically formulated for the winter.
Our Top Picks:
- GenuineXL Genuine Porsche Coolant / Antifreeze 1 Gallon
- Recochem 86-314BOEME OEM Extended Life Euro I Series Coolant/Antifreeze 1 Gallon
- Peak NAG0B3 PEAK ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY Concentrate Antifreeze + Coolant for North American Vehicles
Wiper Blades
Before winter rolls around, consider investing in high-quality wiper blades. You can get winter wiper blades that are equipped with a protective layer of rubber that can effectively remove snow and ice from your windshield. This type of wiper blade is also less likely to freeze and stick to the glass.
Our Top Picks:
- Bosch 4838 Evolution Series Wiper Blade
- K&N 92-2120 Front, Driver and Passenger Side Edge Series Wiper Blade
- AC Delco 23417074 Front, Driver or Passenger Side GM Original Equipment Series Wiper Blade
Heated Side Mirrors
Removing ice from your side mirrors can be a hassle, especially when you’re in a rush to get to work. Upgrading to heated side mirrors can easily solve this dilemma. Heated side mirrors can melt snow, ice, and rain, improving driver visibility even in poor weather conditions. They’re a great safety feature that can easily be activated from inside your car.
Our Top Picks:
- Kool Vue Driver Side Non-Towing Mirror, Power, Heated, Manual Folding, Textured Black, with Outside Air Temperature Sensor
- Kool Vue Driver Side Mirror, Power, Heated, Manual Folding, with 1 Paintable and 1 Textured Black Cap
- Kool Vue Driver and Passenger Side Mirrors, Power, Heated, Manual Folding, with 1 Paintable and 1 Textured Black Cap, Standard Type
Seat Heat Pads
Stay warm and comfortable in your cabin with the help of a seat heat pad. These heating pads are relatively affordable and easy to install, making them one of the best car accessories for the winter. You just have to place one on top of your car seat, plug it into a USB port, and turn it on. They come in different shapes and sizes, so you can get one that best fits your preferences. Some seat heat pads even come with special features, such as cooling and massage functions.
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Auxiliary Heater
If your car interior isn’t heating up enough, you can always install an auxiliary heater in your vehicle. An auxiliary heater usually draws in air from the cabin through a blower. It heats the air before redirecting it back to the cabin.
Auxiliary heaters also help defrost car windows and prevent them from fogging while driving. They’re usually operated using a remote control or through an application on your smartphone.
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Roadside Emergency Kit
You never know when you’ll find yourself in a sticky situation, so it’s always best to be prepared with a roadside emergency kit. It should have all of the essential tools necessary to fix your vehicle or safely wait for help. This usually includes jumper cables, a flashlight, and a blanket.
Our Top Picks:
- STP SKI2-1008-BLK Premium Emergency Roadside Kit
- Performance Tool W1556 Roadside Emergency Kit
- Performance Tool W1555 Roadside Emergency Kit
Tire Inflator
In extremely cold weather, your tires could lose up to 10 pounds per square inch (PSI). This can cause uneven tread wear, poor fuel economy, and even tire blowouts. Your tires can also lose traction, putting you at greater risk of getting into an accident. To avoid driving around with underinflated tires, you should always bring a tire inflator with you.
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Car Cover
Protect your vehicle from the wind, snow, and ice by using a high-quality car cover. Car covers can prevent ice, rain, and moisture from ruining your paint job. You can even order a custom-made cover that specifically fits your vehicle and its accessories.
Our Top Picks:
- Covercraft CB31AC 5-Layer All Climate Series Indoor And Outdoor Car Cover
- Bestop 81044-01 All-weather Series Indoor And Outdoor Car Cover
- Smittybilt 835 Outdoor Car Cover
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Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
