20 useful things that every car should have in winter

To leave the yard in bad weather

Locks defroster

Previously, the ice that bound the locks was fought with hot water. Since then, they have come up with more innovative tools.

Most defrosters contain alcohol, which has a low freezing point and high penetration, and silicone or Teflon, which are water repellent. They also lubricate the parts of the lock and facilitate smooth interaction. Some liquids may contain oil, so the locking mechanism can be treated in the evening - for prophylaxis.

Start-up charger

The car is unlikely to be able to start in the cold, if the battery is frozen and has lost its capacity. The starter-charger will help to revive it. It is a lightweight and compact device that not only starts the engine, but also charges the car battery. And, if necessary, energizes a dead laptop or smartphone.

Before choosing a gadget, pay attention to the type of battery in your car, its voltage, battery capacity and charge current: starting-chargers are created for different devices. Also, learn about additional features. The gadget can be equipped with protection against short circuits and overheating, or with an accelerated charging mode, which will not let you be late for work.

Car shovel

The snow that fell during the night can "lock" your car, and then you cannot do without a special shovel. Choose models with a telescopic handle: it makes the tool compact and helps you adjust the length to your height. The aluminum shank is lightweight and does not rust. Rubber inserts on the handle prevent slipping of your hands and protect you from the cold.

The materials from which the shovel bucket is made have their pros and cons: plastic is inexpensive, but fragile; aluminum is lightweight, but prone to deformation; the steel is reliable, but heavy. Pay attention to the brand: renowned manufacturers will choose the best materials for you.

Tow rope

He will save if the car is stuck in a snowdrift or skidding in the mud. The length of the cable is clearly regulated in the traffic rules: it ranges from 4 to 6 m, while it must have at least two red and white flags measuring 20 × 20 cm, indicating the hitch. The most popular version of towing ropes is nylon. They are distinguished by good resistance to frost and do not get wet, they are easy to store, they are clearly visible on the road due to their bright color. In any case, regardless of the material, pay attention to the breaking load of the cable: it must be at least twice the weight of the vehicle.

Engine insulation

After a long stay, before leaving, almost every motorist warms up the engine from 5 to 20 minutes in winter. To make the process go faster, you can use an auto blanket. This is a heater that is placed under the hood of the car to keep warm in the cold from -5 to -50 ℃. A warm air cushion is formed under the hood, which lasts up to 4 hours, depending on the outside temperature. At the same time, the car blanket does not lead to overheating of the engine while driving: it does not cover the radiator and does not interfere with its cooling. This thing not only keeps the engine warm, but also helps save gas.

Cat litter

No, this is not a mistake or a joke, but a creative and effective way to get a car stuck in the snow: just make a path of granules in front of it, and the car will move faster without skidding. In general, it is better to use broken brick for this purpose, but the filler is easier to find in a regular supermarket and easier to take with you: it is already packed in a bag of the required volume. Choose a mineral filler. And if you accidentally took silica gel, do not be discouraged, because this one will also come in handy: in many forums, motorists claim that it will save the glass in the car from fogging up. To do this, you need to pour it into a sock, tie it tightly and put it on the dashboard, if this does not offend aesthetic feelings, or under the seat.

To see well where you are going

Video recorder

The accident rate on a winter road is much higher than in summer. It is worth insuring yourself in case of a disputable situation during an accident. For the DVR, which you will use in winter, the night shooting function is especially important. And with the help of this baby, you can follow the car while parking. But keep in mind: most DVRs sold in Russia are equipped with lithium-ion batteries. Such batteries have a significant drawback: under the influence of low temperatures, they can quickly lose their capacity. In the harshest cold weather, it is better to take the DVR home so that the device lasts longer.

Scraper brush

Without it, it is quite difficult to prepare the car for a trip in winter. A good brush should clean the machine quickly, efficiently and as gently as possible. In the correct model, the pile bends well, and when the temperature drops, its hardness remains unchanged and does not scratch the paint. The plastic of the scraper must be rigid and resistant to mechanical stress. At the same time, a tool with a too hard working surface can scratch glass and paintwork. In high-quality brushes, the handles are made of non-slip heat-insulating material.

Anti-rain

Today it is frosty, tomorrow it will rain, and sometimes all at once in one day. Anti-rain makes it easier for wipers to work, and the wipers need to be changed less frequently. When a product containing solvents, polymers and silicone is applied, the liquid component evaporates. This forms a thin transparent film - a kind of hydrophobic coating on the glass. Water slides off the surface quickly. It is better not to save money: a poor-quality product can impair the visibility of the glass or will not last long enough.

Windscreen washer fluid

Always keep a stock of this product in the trunk: a bottle of windscreen washer will not last long when snow falls on the windshield for several hours a day and mud flies from under the wheels of other cars.

To choose the right anti-freeze, do not save, do not buy the product from your hands, study the label. Harmless windshield washer fluids are made on the basis of isopropyl and ethyl alcohols. In addition, most manufacturers indicate that the product is made without the use of the toxic substance methanol. Cheap windshield washers may be thinned or contain the same methanol.

By the way, the smell of this harmful substance is practically not felt, and the anti-freeze, on the contrary, smells quite sharply. That is why fragrances are added to them. So the strong smell of glass cleaning fluids speaks more about their quality.

Polarized glasses

Drivers are well aware of the situation: in frosty weather with bright sun, snow glares, reflecting the rays. This makes it difficult to follow the road. Polarized glasses with colored lenses can remedy the situation. In snowy weather, the picture in the yellow spectrum is clearer. In the dark, they will also come in handy - they will help fight the glare of the headlights.

Lantern

It gets dark early in winter, so the risk of getting stuck in an unfamiliar place increases. It's not so scary with a flashlight: you can at least try to see the signs and understand where you are, as well as give a signal to other drivers. For this, a small tourist device, adapted to low temperatures, will come in handy. There are wonderful models that combine a flashlight and charging, as well as capable of giving an SOS signal.

To keep everything in the car and everything in order

Silicone Grease

If, before the onset of winter, you decide to carry out car prophylaxis, include in the number of procedures the lubrication of the window, trunk and door seals: then these parts will not freeze or crack. Silicone grease improves tightness, sound insulation and thermal protection. The treatment should be repeated every time after washing the car, when the rubber parts are especially exposed to frost.

Car vacuum cleaner

If you can do without a vacuum cleaner in summer, then in winter it is absolutely impossible. It will help get rid of dirt, salt, gravel and other unpleasant things from the street, which do not belong in the car. For winter, a model with a water collection function, wireless or powered by a cigarette lighter is suitable. Some vacuum cleaners can become car washes for a while.

Travel first aid kit

A first aid kit must be in the car at any time of the year. But in winter, the basic set can be supplemented with special preparations. Especially if you are planning a long family trip. Antipyretic and pain relievers, medicines for sore throat and runny nose, warming plasters and balms, protective skin cream will not interfere.

Thermos

With hot tea, even in the longest jam, it will be a little warmer and calmer. The advantage of cars is that in this case, you can choose a thermos not for compactness, but for a large volume for several mugs. The metal case will protect it from drops and bumps. A vacuum interlayer between the flask and the body will help maintain the temperature for a long time.

A thermo mug with a tightly screwed lid and a cup-lid will also not interfere - it is convenient to put it in a cup holder.

Thermosocks

In the first winter traffic jam, you will be glad that you brought your thermal socks with you. When choosing, pay attention to some points. Good socks are made of high-tech fiber with a dense knit on the lower leg, foot and heel. There should be a flat seam in the area of the fingertips, and elastic bands on the lower leg and foot, which will prevent tissue from gathering during walking. It is better to have a fleecy inside the sock, which will improve blood circulation.

Driving gloves

What if the steering wheel is icy, you need to drive right now, but the road will be long? Wear gloves to keep your hands from getting cold. This accessory has a special cut. Gloves can be with or without fingers, but their main feature is a crescent-shaped cutout on the upper part of the hand at the bottom, the edges of which are closed with a strap on a button. Most often, gloves are made of genuine leather, which is durable and has an excellent ability to keep warm.

Plaid

The fleece blanket, warm, light and soft, does not take up much space and will come in handy if some of the passengers need to warm up. The structure of the fleece, which is made of polyester, resembles wool: it is breathable, absorbs moisture and creates thermal insulation. It is unpretentious in care, and if it loses its shape, it is easy to replace it with a new one, since such models are very budgetary.

Fan heater

If a blanket is not enough for a passenger, and the standard stove is not designed for Russian winters, then you can put an automobile fan heater in the glove compartment. It is a small device that is powered by a cigarette lighter. It has a cooler and a heating element. The gadget can also be used to warm up the windshield or rear window, as well as to melt the frost.

Each of these items, together or separately, can be found and ordered in the marketplace, avoiding long searches throughout the city. Selected goods will be delivered at a convenient time for just 1 ruble to 149 cities of Russia. Yes, that is how much the delivery costs when ordering from 1000 rubles. When paying online, you can use the installment plan. And the loyalty program will help you get bonuses for each purchase, which can be used to pay up to 50% of the cost of goods. Download the application and you will always be aware of the most profitable promotions!