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The Most Useful Winter Accessories for Your Car

Toyota GT86 6 photos
Photo: Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash
Snowed in SUVFrozen doorVolvo V60GMC YukonSnowed in Chevy
In most parts of the world winter is almost here, and by now you should have already stared to prepare your car for the rough weather. Check your tires, brakes, fluids, and battery, and after making sure everything is okay you should consider buying some winter-oriented accessories.
Snow and low temperatures can make it difficult to drive and increase the possibility of an accident. Also, they can cause a lot of damage to certain parts of a car, so the best way to avoid any major inconveniences is to have these useful accessories.

The first and cheapest winter accessory for your car this time of the year is a de-icer spray. Long gone are the days when you had to scrape the windshield due to the advanced features of modern cars, but if the car is not that well equipped, this spray can instantly clear the ice off the windows.

There are also pre-icer sprays that prevent them from freezing in the first place. Another, more expensive solution with the same result is buying a winter windshield cover.

Snowed in SUV
Photo: Photo by Maxim Shklyaev on Unsplash
A good snow brush is another must-have, especially if you don’t have a garage or a covered parking space. Look for one that is long enough for your height and the size of the vehicle to make it easier for yourself.

You should also consider buying a silicone-based lubricant and apply it to the door seals. They tend to freeze as well and stick to the metal.

This will make opening the door a tough task and when you finally succeed in opening the door, the seals will probably get damaged.

Winter floor mats will protect the vehicle’s interior from the slush, salt, and dirt while preventing moisture from settling in. There is a wide range of choices available and you should get a set that is designed specifically for your car model. It is also very easy to clean them in the tub or sink.

Frozen door
Photo: Photo by Eddy on Unsplash
The cold season is when most car batteries die ,so if you did not get a chance to check its health or just want to be prepared for the unexpected, buy a decent set of jumper cables.

Nobody wants to get stuck in the snow, but if you do end up in this situation because of a dead battery, these cables will help start the car.

If you get frequent and heavy snowfall in your area or have plans of driving to an area that does, it would be a good idea to get a set of good snow chains.

These will aid traction in situations where even the best winter tires don’t and save a lot of time and effort. They are easy to buy and come in sizes that fit your tires. A cheaper alternative is a good old shovel that can fit in the trunk.

Finally, you should always have a first aid kit in your car, and this is especially important in winter. Due to the weather, the odds for an accident exponentially increase this time of the year so if you have an old or incomplete one, it would be better to buy a brand new one.
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About the author: Vlad Radu
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Vlad's first car was custom coach built: an exotic he made out of wood, cardboard and a borrowed steering wheel at the age of five. Combining his previous experience in writing and car dealership years, his articles focus in depth on special cars of past and present times.
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