From cold fingers, from scraping ice to the moment when the heater has finally warmed up the interior of the car: In winter it is the first half hour before and at the start of the journey that can be really uncomfortable. But you can do something about it!
Every driver is afraid of winter. While your hands are still icy from scraping the window, snowfall impairs visibility and icy roads cause slips and accidents. And then there is always someone on the road who doesn’t have winter tires and becomes a risk to you. Although the latter cannot be avoided, winter in and around your own car can be made much safer, warmer and more relaxed. We introduce you to accessories that are not expensive at all and bring back joy in the car in winter.
INGENIOUS WINTER ACCESSORIES FOR THE CAR
Most drivers are now allowed to have winter tires on them. The obligatory ice scraper should also have a permanent place in the car. But what if you no longer had to scrape windows despite sub-zero temperatures? There are several ways to get the job done without an ice scraper and the associated cold hands. On the one hand, there are windscreen de-icers for just a few euros . You just spray it on the windshield and a few moments later the layer of ice dissolves. On the other hand, there are so-called anti- ice films. These usually cost no more than a windscreen de-icer and prevent a layer of ice on the windscreen. So you only have to remove the film in the morning, put it in the trunk and you immediately have a clear view.
Speaking of the trunk: An ingenious accessory, especially for the winter, is a rubber tub for the trunk that costs less than 20 euros . Thanks to the high edges, wet shoes, umbrellas or the wet anti-ice film just mentioned can be placed in here without getting the carpets or seats in the car wet. In the electric car, the tub is also suitable for the dirty charging cable.
To stay in the trunk: Useful winter accessories for the car can be stored here. This includes, for example, a battery-operated electric blanket or a sleeping bag in case you get stuck in the traffic jam of death and have to spend hours on the freeway. There are also electric blankets that you can plug into your car’s cigarette lighter. But if the car’s battery is empty, a battery-powered blanket has an advantage. And while you’re waiting behind the crash barrier for the towing service in the event of a breakdown, hand warmers help. These are also available for just a few euros . Or this slightly more expensive gadget that can also be charged .
RETROFIT EXTRA EQUIPMENT FOR LITTLE MONEY
And while we’re on the topic of accessories that provide warmth: If you’re still driving an older car or a Dacia without extra equipment and heated seats, you can retrofit them fairly easily and inexpensively. This set is available for the driver and front passenger seat for around 50 euros . Once installed, it warms your back and bottom at the touch of a button. If you don’t dare to install it in the car, there is a seat heater as a requirement. You simply place this model for just under 20 euros on the car seat and connect it to the cigarette lighter.
→ Car accessories: The 7 most helpful gadgets for the car under 50 euros
It can also be life-saving to have a small bag of kitty litter with you. Due to its coarse nature, cat litter acts similar to gravel or sand and can help you extricate yourself from snow. If the wheels spin and nothing works anymore, just sprinkle something in front of the tires and drive off.
GADGETS FOR A CLEAR VIEW
An alternative to cat litter: this starting aid for around 30 euros . It not only helps you in snow and ice, but also when you get stuck. The advantage over snow chains: the starting aid is lighter and can be stowed away in the trunk to save space. But the cat litter has another advantage: it removes moisture from the interior of the car. Windows then no longer fog up so quickly.
→ Buy winter tyres: You should never do that
In addition to winter tires and possibly a few snow chains, good visibility is essential in winter. This includes a filled container with windscreen washer fluid, good windscreen wipers that do not leave streaks and working lights. All of this can be reliably found via eBay’s MyGarage . Amazing: the prices. Windscreen wipers for 10, but also for 30 euros appear in the results. Inexpensive does not have to mean worse. The product ratings in the form of asterisks provide an indication of the quality.
