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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
When buying a kit that has jumper cables, avoid buying a cheap one because the jumper cables will likely be very thin and cheap. If the cables are too thin, then you won’t be able to successfully jumpstart your vehicle.
When buying a roadside emergency kit that has jumper cables, make sure not to buy a cheap kit because the jumper cables will likely be very thin and cheap. If the cables are too thin, then you will not be able to successfully jumpstart the vehicle.
–Anthony Harlin, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
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.
There are several different types available on the market. You can get one that is rechargeable or one that plugs into the power outlet of your vehicle.
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.
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.