When winter kicks in, driving can get challenging. Luckily, there are a lot of great car accessories out there to help make winter in your car more comfortable. Winter accessories can help you get out of dangerous situations, keep you warm, and make getting to your destination more convenient. The right products add to your safety and peace of mind. Here are some of our favorite winter accessories for cars. 

1. Escape tracks 

Winter driving means there is always the possibility that your car will get stuck in the snow. Buzzfeed reports that escape tracks are one of those must-have accessories in the trunk because they do exactly as the name suggests; they help you escape when the car is stuck. Escape tracks are heavy-duty plastic tracks that you jam under your tires to drive over. They help your spinning tires get traction without any pushing or towing. 

Also known as emergency treads, tire ladders, or traction mats, escape tracks can be found at online retailers and auto parts stores. There is a big price range based on quality. A folding set can be found on Amazon by WaWaAuto for under $20, and a pair by Stegodon on Amazon made of a nylon composite is $85. At the top is a heavy-duty pair of this essential winter accessory by GoTreads on Amazon, which sell for $139. 

2. Remote start kit 

It’s quite a luxury in the middle of winter to be standing inside your warm house, push a button, and your car starts up outside in the cold elements.  Car and Driver agrees that remote starters are a great winter accessory for cars that start your engine and turn on the heating system. They also start the air-conditioning system in the summer for the opposite effect. 

Many vehicles come equipped with remote starters, or you can buy a remote start kit and have it installed. Reasonable remote starter prices vary significantly by brand. Compustar has a remote starter online for $69, and StartX offers one for heavy-duty trucks at $214. It is also wise to pay for professional installation. 

3. Windshield snow cover

Is scraping ice and snow off your windshield one of your most hated winter tasks? A windshield snow cover could make life easier after a storm. Installation is straightforward because windshield snow covers are essentially blankets for your car, truck, or van. You drape it over the windshield before it snows and strap it to the frame of the vehicle. 

Windshield snow covers are an affordable winter car accessory and can save time and effort. A custom cover made for your make, year, and model from CoverQuest can run about $70. However, you can find generic, universal windshield covers for under $30 on Amazon from brands like EzyShade, Frost Guard, and SubZero. 

4. Heated seat covers 

There is nothing nicer on a cold winter’s day than heated seats. These winter warming devices are standard on many vehicles, but if yours isn’t equipped with built-in heated seats, you can purchase heated seat covers. Aftermarket heated seat covers sit on top of your seats and warm up when you turn them on.

Car and Driver loves these practical winter accessories because of their many benefits. They provide comfort during long drives by maintaining a chosen temperature, give you an additional heat source when the rest of the car is still warming up, and offer protection for the vehicle’s upholstery. You can find one by HealthMate on Amazon for just over $30.

Give a few of these accessories a try to make winter driving more fun.