Winter Car Accessories

Winter Car Accessories for Sale

This page lists the winter car accessories we sell, gathered in one place so you can get the car ready for cold weather in a single order. The range covers 12V portable heaters and defrosters, heated seat cushions and covers, a heated steering wheel cover, windshield snow and frost covers, fabric snow chains, traction mats for getting unstuck, and heated gloves. Every product above can be ordered online, and each product page lists the voltage, power, size and what is in the box.

These are practical items for anyone who scrapes ice off a windscreen in the morning, sits in a cold car waiting for the engine to warm up, or drives roads where snow and mud are normal. Most are universal and plug into the 12V socket or simply strap on, so they fit nearly any car, SUV or truck.

Below you will find each product with its specs, a guide to which items solve which winter problem, safety notes for 12V heaters and heated seats, how to fit and use them, and answers to common questions.

Winter Car Accessories We Sell

12V Car Heaters and Defrosters

Heated Seats and Steering Wheel

Windshield Snow and Frost Covers

Traction and Recovery

For the Driver

  • Electric Heated Gloves: windproof, waterproof and touchscreen compatible, for scraping, loading and outdoor use.

Which Winter Car Accessories Solve Which Problem

Frozen or frosted windscreen in the morning

A windshield snow cover goes on the night before and comes off in the morning with the snow and frost on it. You lift it, shake it and drive. This saves scraping time and protects the wiper blades from freezing to the glass. Magnetic covers are faster to fit, and strap-on covers with door flaps are more secure in strong wind.

Fogged glass and a slow car heater

Factory heaters take several minutes to blow warm air because they rely on engine heat. A 12V heater or defroster fan starts working straight away and can be pointed at the windscreen to clear a patch of glass while the engine warms. It is a helper, not a replacement for the main heater.

Cold seats and cold hands

Heated seat covers and cushions warm up within a few minutes and feel warmer than the cabin air for the same power, because the heat goes straight to you. A heated steering wheel cover does the same for your hands. They are a simple way to add comfort to a car that did not come with heated seats.

Getting stuck

If your car spins its wheels on snow, ice, mud or sand, traction mats under the driven wheels give the tyres something to bite. Fabric snow chains help you keep moving on snowy roads. Where snow chains or snow socks are required on certain mountain roads, check that the type you carry is accepted by local rules. The snow chains article on Wikipedia explains the types and where they are used.

Safety Notes for 12V Heaters and Heated Seats

  • Check the voltage. Most cars use 12V. Many trucks and buses use 24V. Use the matching version. Our 200W fan is a 24V unit.
  • Check your socket rating. A 150W heater draws about 12.5 amps at 12V. Many cigarette lighter sockets are fused at 10 to 15 amps. Do not run two high-power items from one socket through a splitter.
  • Run the engine. A 12V heater can flatten a battery quickly if the engine is off.
  • Never block the vents of a heater fan, and keep it away from fabric, paper and the driver's feet.
  • Secure it. Mount the heater so it cannot fall into the footwell or under the pedals.
  • Unplug when you leave the car, and unplug heated seat covers when not in use.
  • Heated seats and sensitive skin. People with reduced feeling in their legs, and young children, should not use heated seat covers on high settings for long periods.
  • Airbag seats. Some cars have seat-mounted side airbags or occupant sensors. Check your owner's manual before fitting any seat cover over them.

Fitting and Using Winter Car Accessories

Snow covers: fit with the wipers down. Close the side flaps inside the front doors or fasten the straps around the mirrors and wheels. Pull it tight so wind cannot lift it.

Heated seat covers: strap the cover to the seat with the elastic loops and hooks, route the cable along the side of the seat so it does not get pinched by the seat rails, and plug it into the 12V socket. Start on low.

Fabric snow chains: practise fitting them once at home in dry weather. On the road, park somewhere safe, pull the cover over the top of the tyre, drive forward a short distance and pull the rest over. Keep your speed low while they are on and remove them when you reach clear roads.

Traction mats: clear snow from in front of the stuck wheels, push the mat under the tyre in the direction you want to go, and accelerate gently. Spinning the wheels fast throws the mat away.

A Simple Winter Car Kit

Beyond the accessories on this page, a sensible winter kit for the boot includes an ice scraper, a small shovel, a blanket, a torch, a phone charging cable, some water and snacks, and a pair of gloves. Check tyres, wipers, washer fluid with antifreeze and your battery before the cold sets in. Batteries lose a large part of their capacity in freezing weather, so a weak battery often fails on the first cold morning. If you need parts, our car electrical parts and car maintenance parts collections can help.

Related Categories

Ordering, Delivery and Returns

Every one of these winter car accessories can be ordered from this page. Delivery options and times for your country appear at checkout and on our shipping page. Order before the first snow if you can. If anything is faulty or not as described, our returns page and warranty page explain what to do.

Winter Car Accessories FAQ

Can a 12V heater replace my car heater?

No. A 12V heater gives a small amount of heat straight away and helps clear the glass, but it cannot heat a whole cabin like the engine-driven heater. It is best as a helper while the engine warms up.

Will a heated seat cover drain my battery?

Only if you leave it on with the engine off. With the engine running, the alternator supplies the power. Unplug it when you park.

Does a windshield snow cover fit any car?

The universal covers here fit most sedans and SUVs. Check the dimensions on the product page against your windscreen if you drive a large truck or van.

Are fabric snow chains as good as metal chains?

They are lighter, quieter and easier to fit, and work well for occasional snow. Metal chains usually last longer on ice and in deep snow. Check what local rules accept where you drive.

Can I use a 12V heater in a 24V truck?

No. Use a 24V unit, like our 200W heating and cooling fan, in a 24V vehicle.

Are heated gloves waterproof?

The heated gloves we list are described as windproof and waterproof, and work with touchscreens.

Do you deliver winter car accessories to my country?

Delivery options for your address are shown at checkout. See our shipping page for details.

Getting Your Car Ready Before the First Frost

The best time to prepare for winter is before the first cold morning. Start with the basics that cause the most winter breakdowns. Have the battery tested, because cold weather reduces battery capacity and a weak battery that just copes in summer can fail on the first frosty morning. Check the coolant strength so it protects against freezing in your climate. Fit new wiper blades if the old ones streak, and fill the washer reservoir with a winter screen wash that will not freeze. Check the tyre tread and pressures, since pressure drops as the temperature falls. Finally, make sure every light works, because winter brings longer nights and more spray on the road. With the basics covered, winter car accessories make the season more comfortable and save time every morning.

Windscreen Covers: Which Style Suits You?

A windscreen cover stops frost and snow from bonding to the glass, so you simply lift it off in the morning. There are three main styles in this collection. Magnetic covers, like the magnetic windshield snow cover, attach with magnets sewn into the edges and are quick to fit; place the magnets on clean paint so they do not scratch. Full-coverage covers, like the full windshield snow cover with mirror covers, use straps and mirror pockets and also protect the side windows, mirrors and door handles. Reflective foil shades, like the aluminium foil sun shade and snow cover, work all year, keeping frost off in winter and reflecting sun in summer. If you park outdoors in an area with heavy snow, a full cover with straps is usually the most secure. If you want something fast for light frost, a magnetic cover is easiest.

Staying Warm Without Waiting for the Heater

Most engines take several minutes to warm up enough for the heater to blow hot air, and diesel and hybrid vehicles can take longer. Electric accessories give instant warmth. A heated seat cushion warms the seat in under a minute; choose a 12V heated car seat cushion for full seat and back coverage, a pair of 12V heated seat covers for driver and passenger, or a USB heated seat cushion for gentle heat. A heated steering wheel cover warms your hands. For your hands outside the car too, heated gloves help when scraping, clearing snow or working outdoors.

Clearing a Fogged Windscreen Safely

Mist on the inside of the windscreen is caused by warm, moist air from breathing and wet clothes meeting cold glass. To clear it quickly, set the heater to the windscreen, turn the air conditioning on (it dries the air even when heating), and switch off the recirculation so fresh air comes in. A 12V portable heater and defroster, such as the 150W 3-in-1 defroster or the 120W mini defroster, can help clear a small area of glass faster, especially in older cars with weak heaters. Trucks with a 24V system need a 24V unit, like the 24V truck heater and defroster fan. Never drive until you can see clearly through the whole windscreen, and keep the inside of the glass clean, because dirt and smoke film make misting worse.

Traction Aids for Snow, Ice and Mud

If you get stuck on ice or snow, spinning the wheels usually makes things worse by polishing the ice. Traction mats, like our rubber tyre traction mat set, go under the driven wheels to give the tyres something to grip. Fabric snow socks and anti-skid covers, like the car snow anti-skid cover, add grip for short distances on snow-covered roads. Check whether chains or socks are allowed or required in the areas where you drive, and follow the speed limits that come with them. In heavy snow regions, winter tyres make the biggest difference of all.

Power Draw and Battery Care

Every 12V accessory draws current. A heated seat cushion might draw a few amps, while a 150W heater can draw over 10 amps at 12 volts, which is close to the limit of many accessory sockets. Use high-draw accessories only with the engine running, never leave them on with the engine off, and avoid using several high-power items through one splitter. If the socket fuse blows repeatedly, the accessory is drawing too much for that circuit. Keep an eye on the battery in cold weather; if starting becomes slow, have it tested before it lets you down.

Comfort for Long Winter Drives

On long trips in cold weather, keep a blanket, a warm hat and gloves in the car even if you do not expect to need them. Plush seat covers, like our 5-seat plush winter set, take the chill off leather and vinyl seats. Keep a snow brush and ice scraper within reach, plus a small shovel if you live in a snowy area. Clear the roof of snow before driving so it does not slide onto the windscreen when you brake, or fly off onto the vehicle behind.

Storing Winter Accessories in Summer

When the weather warms up, dry every cover and cushion fully before folding it away, so mould does not form. Store covers in their bags in a dry place and coil heater and seat cushion cables loosely. A foil sun shade can stay in use all summer to keep the cabin cool. Find more parts for every season in car accessories and interior accessories.

Choosing Between 12V, 24V and USB Accessories

Most cars, SUVs and light trucks use a 12V electrical system, while many heavy trucks and buses use 24V. A 12V accessory connected to a 24V socket can overheat or fail, and a 24V accessory will not work properly on 12V. Check the voltage before you buy, and look for products sold in both versions, like our cooling and heated seat cushion. USB-powered accessories run at 5V from a USB port; they draw less power and suit gentle heating, but they will not warm up as fast as 12V products.

More Questions About Winter Car Accessories

Can I leave a windscreen cover on overnight in heavy snow?

Yes, that is what they are made for. Make sure the straps or magnets hold firmly, and clear heavy snow off the cover before removing it so the weight does not tear it.

Will a heated seat cushion work in a vehicle with leather seats?

Yes. Heated cushions sit on top of any seat surface. Use the anti-slip backing and straps to stop the cushion sliding on smooth leather.

Do portable 12V heaters replace the car's heater?

No. They are small units for defrosting part of the windscreen or adding a little warmth. The car's own heater is far more powerful once the engine is warm.

Are snow socks legal where I drive?

Rules vary by country and region. Some areas accept textile snow socks in place of chains; others do not. Check the local rules before you travel.

How do I stop my wipers freezing to the glass?

Park with the wipers lifted off the glass, or fit a windscreen cover that sits under the wiper blades. Never run frozen wipers, because it can tear the rubber and strain the wiper motor.

Winter Emergency Kit for Your Car

Even with the best preparation, winter journeys can be delayed by snow, ice or accidents. Keep a small kit in the boot during the cold months:

  • Ice scraper, snow brush and a small folding shovel.
  • Warm blanket, hat, gloves and spare socks.
  • Torch with spare batteries or a rechargeable light.
  • Phone charger or power bank.
  • Jump leads or a portable jump starter.
  • Traction mats or a bag of grit or sand.
  • Bottled water and some snacks.
  • High-visibility vest and a warning triangle.

Keep your fuel tank at least half full in winter, so you can run the engine for heat if you are stuck, and make sure the exhaust pipe is clear of snow before running the engine while parked. Find jump starters and other emergency gear in our tools and garage equipment collection.

Winter Driving Habits That Make a Difference

Accessories help, but how you drive matters most in winter. Clear all the windows, mirrors, lights and the roof before setting off. Accelerate gently, brake early and leave far more space to the vehicle in front, because stopping distances on ice can be many times longer than on dry roads. Use the highest gear you can when pulling away on snow to reduce wheelspin. Steer smoothly, and if the car starts to slide, look and steer where you want to go. Bridges and shaded roads freeze first, so take extra care there. On very cold mornings, check that the windscreen washer jets are clear and the washer fluid has not frozen.

Should I warm up my engine before driving?

Modern engines need only a short idle before driving gently. Long idling wastes fuel and, in many places, is restricted by law. A heated seat cushion or steering wheel cover keeps you comfortable while the engine warms up on the move.