5 must-have car accessories for winter 2018

Can you feel that chill in the air? In the words of Ned Stark, “Winter is coming”. With the frosty season comes an array of issues, most commonly felt by drivers. Slippery roads, cold vehicles, frozen wipers, low tire pressure… and the list goes on. It might seem overwhelming, but all you need to do is equip yourself with the right tools to combat the cold. To help, we’ve prepared a list of the most useful accessories for Winter 2018.

1.     Ice removal spray

There are several iterations of this accessory on the market, ranging in price for £3 - £10. It is a relatively cheap investment, which will allow you to thaw and loosen ice that has formed over your vehicle’s windshield. You can even make a home-made ice removal solution, but we would recommend against this as the alcohol in most home-made versions tend to damage paintwork or windows.

2.     The trusty ice scraper

The Excalibur you will need to vanquish ice, and the favoured tool of most mechanics when it comes to ice removal. It works best when paired with the ice removal spray, which is what you’ll want to apply first. Make sure to be as effective as possible and remove any ice that your windshield wipers can reach – if you don’t, it could wear out your wiper’s rubber much quicker.

3.     Invest in some winter tyres

If slippery roads are the bane of your existence, you could do no worse than switch to winter tyres. Even though it isn’t exactly an accessory, it’s worth mentioning on this list as many drivers still choose to use their summer tyres in the winter. You can get them from most fast-fit specialists across the UK and they usually cost around the £30 - £60 mark each.

4.     Try some brighter lightbulbs

This accessory is more aimed at driving safely through difficult conditions. Picture this, you’ve got work and your areas has been struck by a rogue snowstorm. Most vehicles are outfitted with halogen bulbs that are cheap and are long-lasting – but they will not provide enough light to navigate those kinds of treacherous conditions. Consider buying Xenon or LED lights that will be able to shine their light much further and pierce any fog, mist or snowstorms.

5.     A shovel

Last, but certainly not least, a shovel will prevent your vehicle from getting stuck when it’s caught in the snow. Thousands of people across the UK will call their vehicle insurance provider or breakdown cover every year when they are stuck in the snow. In some cases, a few shovels are all it takes to free your vehicle.