How to get your car ready for winter driving
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Winter-proof your car
© NewspressOh, the weather outside is frightful, but driving can still be delightful. Yes, really. Shorter days, freezing temperatures, rain and snow can all prove challenging for cars and drivers alike. However, our top 25 winter options and accessories should see you through to the spring.
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Winter tyres
© NewspressWinter tyres differ from standard tyres in three ways. Firstly, the tread compound is designed to remain flexible and grippy at temperatures below 7deg C, providing extra traction in cold weather. Secondly, a higher number of sipes (thin slits in the tyre rubber) improve stability and braking. Finally, the tread pattern is designed to pick up snow. And nothing sticks to snow better than snow.
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Heated seats
© VolvoA guilty pleasure, perhaps, but heated seats are one of life’s luxuries during the winter. Once the preserve of top-end vehicles, heated seats are now available on city cars and superminis.
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Heated washer jets
© Mercedes-BenzYou’ll go through an awful lot of washer fluid during the winter and it will be incredibly annoying – not to mention, dangerous – if the jets freeze up. With heated washer jets, this is no longer an issue. Mercedes-Benz has taken this a step further with its so-called Magic Vision Control. The system combines the wipe and wash, spraying the water directly onto the wiper blade. And yes, it’s fully heated.
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An ice scraper
© SkodaSo simple, but so essential. How often do you find yourself without an ice scraper? Using a credit card is hard, finger-freezing work and pouring boiling water on your windscreen is a definite no-no (the sudden change in temperature could cause the glass to crack). How clever of Skoda, then, to put an ice scraper inside the fuel filler flap. Just don’t forget to put it back after use.
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Heated cup holders
© HondaDon’t knock them until you’ve tried them. The likes of the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class and BMW X7 offer heated cup holders, keeping your takeaway coffee hot for longer. You can also chill the cup holders, so if Slush Puppies are your thing, you can enjoy a brain freeze headache as you drive to work.
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Snow socks
© VauxhallSnow socks are the affordable alternative to winter tyres. Fitted in minutes, they provide extra grip in icy or snowy conditions. Prices start from around £50 and their compact nature means they can be stored in the boot. But then socks should always be put inside boots. Boots, socks… get it? Right, moving on.
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Heated windscreen
© FordYou could spend minutes waiting for your windscreen to clear in the morning. Alternatively, you could use one of those demister pads, which are guaranteed to leave a layer of grime on the inside of your windscreen. Which is always pleasant when driving into the low sun. Or, you could tick the heated windscreen option box. Once you’ve owned a car with a heated screen, it’s hard to look back. But looking forward is fine…
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Air conditioning
© SsangYongMany people assume that air conditioning is there just to cool you down in the summer. This is not true, because air conditioning – or better still, climate control – can keep you warm and toasty throughout the winter. Furthermore, it’ll stop your windows misting up, improving visibility and safety. It’s advisable to use your air-con at least once a month to avoid problems with the system.
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Snow chains
© BentleySnow chains are definitely more serious than snow socks. Indeed, they can only be used when the road surface is covered in a layer of snow or ice. They don’t fit all cars, however, and can be difficult to install and remove. Note that in some parts of Europe, fitting snow chains is compulsory.
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Four-wheel drive
© MaseratiThere’s no doubt that four-wheel-drive cars will be incredibly useful in wet, muddy or snowy conditions, but drivers can still be caught out – often due to overconfidence. Modern all-wheel-drive systems do all the hard work for the driver and are best suited to the majority of motorists. Few of us really need the low-ratio gears of a Land Rover.
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Traction control system
© PeugeotTraction control has probably helped more drivers than we’ll ever know. Some manufacturers also offer sophisticated traction systems that offer the benefit of all-wheel drive, without the added expense and running costs. Good examples are Peugeot’s Advanced Grip Control and Suzuki’s Allgrip. In most circumstances, these should be everything a driver will need.
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Heated door mirrors
© VolvoHeated door mirrors work in conjunction with the cabin heater and heated rear window to keep the glass free of mist and fog. They’re also useful when Jack Frost has been out painting the town blue and white.
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LED headlights
© AudiFirst there was halogen, then came xenon and now we have LED headlights. We’ve grown accustomed to seeing LED daytime running lights, but many manufacturers are offering front LED main lights, too. Not only do they offer greater illumination, they also use less energy.
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Heated steering wheel
© PetrolBlogYou’ll find yourself ribbing your mates for ordering a heated steering wheel on their new car, but the fact is, it can be quite wonderful. Admittedly, it’s perhaps more suited to drivers in Scandinavia, but it can be just as lovely in Stockport or Surbiton.
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Headlight washers and wipers
© VolvoHeadlight wipers are sadly a thing of the past these days, but headlight washers still work overtime during the winter to keep your lights free of grime.
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Remote start
© VolvoRemote start allows you to fire up the engine from the comfort of your own home, giving the cabin time to warm up and the windows time to defrost. Obviously you’ll be using fuel as you do it and it’s also advisable to keep the doors locked. Electric cars often have this function built-in, as we’ll discuss…
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Windscreen wiper de-icer
© SubaruIt’s never a good idea to use wipers on a frozen windscreen as the blades can be damaged. However, some cars can be ordered with a wiper de-icer sat at the bottom of the windscreen, such as this one found on a Subaru Forester.
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Cabin pre-heater
© VolvoSimilar to remote start, the cabin pre-heater can be especially useful on electric cars and hybrids. Also known as ‘preconditioning’ it will draw power from a charger without using any of the electricity stored in your car’s battery. This means you can start your journey with a full battery and travel further before needing to recharge. Climbing into a warm car feels great in winter, too.
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Heated armrests
© Mercedes-BenzNo, we’re not making this up. Buy a Mercedes-Benz S-Class and tick the Warmth Comfort Package and you’ll be able to revel in the opulence of front and rear armrest heating. How long before this appears on the Vauxhall Corsa?
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Torch
© PetrolBlogBreak down on an unlit road and you could be in trouble, so carrying a torch may make all the difference. Some carmakers have the foresight to combine a boot light with a torch, such as this removable item found in the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso. So simple, but so very effective.
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Umbrella
© SkodaArriving at your destination to find the heavens have opened? No problem in the Skoda Superb, which has an umbrella hidden inside the rear passenger door. All Rolls-Royces do, too – albeit at a rather higher price.
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Aero windscreen wipers
© Mercedes-BenzAero windscreen wipers are so much better than standard wipers. Many cars offer them as standard, but it’s worth retrospectively adding them to vehicles that don’t. Aero wipers are quieter and more efficient at clearing rain from the screen.
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DAB digital radio
© VolkswagenStay up-to-date with traffic and weather reports courtesy of a digital radio. DAB offers a greater choice of stations and improved sound quality. All modern cars have the system, but they can be retro-fitted to classics as well.
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On-board coffee machine
© FiatIf heated cup holders don’t cut it for you, why not opt for an onboard coffee machine? This Lavazza machine was available with the Fiat 500L – and had branded coffee cups to match. More recently, Vauxhall unveiled a one-off Mokka Electric with an espresso machine, coffee grinder and built-in fridge.
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Washer fluid
© HoltsAnd finally, it’s not an option or accessory, but decent washer fluid is essential during the winter months. Not only will it withstand freezing temperatures, it’s also so much better than just water at cleaning the screen. Drive safely out there.
