7 Winter Car Accessories to Help During Your Next Cold Weather Trek

February 25, 2021

Winter driving is a unique skill all its own, especially in areas where ice and snow are more than a freak occurrence. And inclement winter weather can leave a driver feeling a bit helpless without the best winter car gadgets and accessories for their moments of need.

But don't let winter driving put you to the test! Instead, prepare yourself for winter weather with these seven car accessories for winter that'll help keep you prepared for your next cold-weather trek.

1. Emergency Road Kit

A simple way to stay prepared is to keep a kit in the car with all of your essentials ‐ like an emergency road kit. Make sure your kit provides some basic tools, such as jumper cables, work gloves, road signs, a flashlight, and other basics you'll need when the worst of winter weather strikes.

2. Jumper Cables and an External Battery

Jumper cables should be a year-round item already, so it's best to always leave them in your trunk. However, jumper cables only work if there's another car nearby with a driver willing to jump your battery. Sometimes that won't be the case, which is where an external battery can come in handy.

With an external battery, you'll be able to revive your battery directly without the need of another vehicle. An external battery can also serve various other purposes ‐ including serving as a flashlight and a charger to charge up your electronic devices.

3. First Aid and Cleanup Kits

Pack a first aid kit to ensure you and your passengers are better prepared for any mishaps like a slip and fall, minor cuts and scrapes, and other unexpected emergencies that come up. Familiarize yourself with the contents and how to best use them beforehand, so there's less confusion or pressure if an injury occurs.

Additionally, having a cleanup kit for your road trip could be especially handy in the aftermath of addressing an injury with the first aid kit. And any parent can tell you that there's no limit to the messes and smells that can come along with kids left to their own devices in the backseat.

4. A Spare Tire and Portable Tire Pump

Like jumper cables, a spare tire is an all-the-time backup to have on hand regardless of the weather. Having a tire pump on hand, though, can be especially beneficial in bad weather. Cold weather can decrease tire pressure, which can reduce traction and vehicle performance. Maintaining proper tire pressure can help keep you and your tires prepared for the slippery roads ahead.

There are two basic models of a portable tire pump ‐ battery-powered and ones that plug into your 12-volt socket in the vehicle. The plug-in tire pump can be more reliable since it runs off the battery in your vehicle. However, you won't be able to use your tire pump if your vehicle battery dies.

Conversely, a battery-powered portable tire pump holds its own charge, allowing it to work without a connected power source. However, it may not be enough power to keep all your tires inflated depending on the tire pump's battery life. It may be best to stay prepared with both an external battery charger and a plug-in portable tire pump.

5. Ice Scraper and Snow Brush

When the snow and ice get heavy, it's important to include a good ice scraper and snow brush with your other snow accessories for your car. A good brush has firm bristles and is long enough to move all the snow off the windshield, wiper blades, and headlights in just a few quick strokes. A telescoping brush can be a nice plus for storage purposes since it won't take up as much room in your vehicle.

6. Bags of Salt, Sand, or Cat Litter

Bags of salt, sand, or cat litter can serve a variety of important purposes in the winter. When properly sealed and positioned in the trunk, heavier bags can provide some added traction on the vehicle's back-end in slippery conditions.

The salt comes in handy to sprinkle on the ground around the vehicle ahead of expected snow and ice to reduce slippage and keep ice from building up. Meanwhile, cat litter or sand can come in handy if the vehicle gets stuck in the snow. Sprinkle some under the stuck tires to help pick up the traction needed to get moving again.

7. Tool Kit

There's no need to haul a full tool box along in the winter. A small kit with adjustable wrenches and sockets, pliers, a screwdriver, hex keys, and zip ties should be enough if you need a quick fix. A flashlight with adjustable settings ‐ including a flash or strobe ‐ can be essential if you're doing any repairs in the dark. Just remember to check the batteries regularly or have some extras on hand.

Prepare for Your Winter Trek with Nissan Parts

Are you planning a winter trek in your Nissan? Stay better prepared for the road ahead with genuine parts and accessories from Nissan Parts. Whether you're outfitting your vehicle with weatherproof floor mats or an emergency road kit, Nissan Parts has some of the best winter car accessories to help you tackle the toughest winter season.