For all its snow-dusted charm, winter can be a formidable foe for drivers. From plummeting temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns to cloudy windshields and corrosive road salt, the season brings a lot of unique – and frustrating – challenges with it.
To ensure a safe and stress-free journey that doesn’t end with you skating your way into a snowbank, we’ve rounded up some indispensable gear you should keep in your vehicle, along with some quick maintenance checks to make before hitting the road. Just keep in mind that winter isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience, so any cold weather car accessories you invest in should be tailored to the unique challenges you're likely to encounter based on your location.
Is Your Vehicle Winter Ready?
Something you’ll want to check before outfitting your vehicle is confirming whether or not said vehicle is actually up to the task of winter driving. Remember, no matter how many accessories you invest in, their effectiveness will be limited if your car is ill-prepared for the challenges that winter presents.
You can check out our comprehensive list of maintenance checks to make before winter, but in a nutshell, you’ll want to inspect:
- You wouldn’t shovel your walkway in sandals, so don’t try driving winter roads in summer tires – or worse, bald ones. Check the tread depth, rotate if necessary, and consider winter tires, which have deeper tread depths and unique tread patterns to help reduce snow buildup and provide better traction.
- Cold weather is notorious for draining car batteries, which are already strained this time of year thanks to extra power loads like heaters, defrosters, headlights, and wipers. Have your battery tested to ensure it's in good condition, and replace it if it’s old or showing signs of weakness.
- Midway down a slippery hill is not when you want to discover issues with stopping power. Make sure your brake pads and rotors are in good condition, and that your brake system is free from any issues.
- Low or incorrect fluids can seriously hinder your car's performance in winter conditions, so check for optimum levels – as well as any leaks – and swap out anything that isn’t suited for freezing temps.
- Since many cold weather car accessories are dedicated to improving visibility, this is a good area to save for your final systems check. Inspect windshield wipers, headlights, and fog lights, as these are very simple upgrades to make before winter. Don’t forget to do a test run of the defroster and heating system while you’re at it.
Exterior Protection
With icy and/or snowy roads being a major stressor on winter driving, you may want to invest in some traction aids. Winter tires are one of the most effective ways to improve grip, not only on slippery surfaces but also just in cold temperatures. If you live in an area that sees particularly heavy snowfall, then you may want to consider stepping up the traction control with snow chains, snow socks, or our favorite—a set of plastic traction boards or mats.
Another tire-related accessory to consider are mud flaps or guards. In addition to slowing the buildup of road salt on your vehicle’s undercarriage, mud flaps can catch snow that would otherwise spray from behind your wheels and create an obstructed view for drivers behind you. They can also help protect your paint job from flying road debris.
As noted earlier, when it comes to winter driving, visibility is crucial – so snow brushes and ice scrapers are a must to have on hand. (Pick up a 2-in-1 for easy handling.) If you hate clearing off a covered car but have to park outside every night, then consider a windshield cover or even a full car cover. No need to warm up the car and thaw out the windshield, you’ll be ready to roll with a dry vehicle.
Once you get rolling, you’ll want to keep that forward-view clear. Winter wipers are a must-have cold weather car accessory. First, they feature a stronger frame and bigger blade which means they can make better windshield contact (and therefore squeegee action), and second, that blade is reinforced with more flexible and durable materials, like silicone to help them stay bendy despite freezing ice and snow.
Other exterior-minded accessories to consider keeping on hand include de-icers for quickly thawing frozen locks and door seals, a tonneau cover for protecting your poor naked truck bed, and an engine block heater if you’re rocking a diesel this winter season.
Interior Comfort
Beyond getting the exterior of your vehicle winter-ready, there are interior accessories that can make the driving experience more enjoyable and comfortable, such as seat warmers, a heated steering wheel cover, and a seat belt extender -- which is great when you’re bundled up in all that winter clothing.
And since winter also means dealing with slush, snow, and mud tracked into your car, it’s worth pricing out some interior protection accessories as well. Rubber floor mats and cargo liners are great for keeping your vehicle’s carpet clean and protected from wet boots or dirty equipment. Look for heavy-duty ones with a snug custom fit, so they can stand up to all messes but also won’t slip around when you get in and out of the vehicle.
Likewise, quality seat covers will offer a dual advantage of providing both protection from messes and comfort during the winter season. They shield your car seats from moisture, snow, dirt, and muddy paws whole also providing an additional layer of insulation. Plus, they're available in various styles, so you can customize your car's interior to your liking while ensuring it remains comfortable and clean.
Emergency Items
Driving in winter weather can bring different hazards, including the possibility of white-out conditions and getting stuck for long period of times. Be prepared with an emergency kit you keep in your vehicle at all times. This should include items like road flares, jumper cables or a jump starter, reflective triangles, a solar blanket, first aid kit, hand warmers, and heat packs.
Even if you think you’re just running down the street to a drive thru, don’t only have your slippers in the car. Getting stuck can happen anywhere and you’ll always want to be sure to have a pair of winter boots, a warm coat, and good sturdy gloves in your vehicle. Be prepared for the worst of winter when driving, and with any luck you’ll never have to utilize what you’ve prepared!