8 essential accessories for your car in winter

While nature is busy painting our landscapes in shades of grey and our roads in white. We all also need to leave our house at some point, use our vehicles to get on with our lives. But, as we know, the road carries many dangers when temperatures experience a significant drop; Snow and ice accumulation is frequent, which can cause circulation problems and even serious accidents. The best way to avoid surprises that the metrological changes bring and catch us unprepared is to store proper accessory kits in the trunk of our car and make sure it is ready to be used since the first day that cold and snow appears. In addition, tools in the accessory kits can help prevent accidents and allow us to keep our cars clean of ice and other weather elements. At LeasePlan, we want you to enjoy your car also in winter, and that is why we recommend you to carry these 8 accessories inside your vehicle.

Some vehicles include their own first aid kit when you receive it. However, if our car does not have it or you’ve already used items from it, it is highly recommended to purchase a first aid kit or equipment for emergency situations. You can find a vast variety of first-aid kits perfectly equipped with necessary accessories and tools that are suitable to help in the event of an incident or accident. Remember to check your first-aid kit from time to time to replace the items that might have expired or are close to expiring.

If your first aid kit did not include a thermal blanket, we highly recommend purchasing a pair of these blankets. These blankets are beneficial during extreme colds and can prevent possible hypothermia. In addition, in certain situations such as breakdowns you might need to spend the night in your car and having these blankets can play a crucial role in your well-being and health.

Extreme weather conditions can cause some roads to be cut off, traffic jams and long delays, and you might end up spending more time in your car than you expected. Therefore, having a good supply of food and liquids is highly recommended, especially if you’re travelling on more remote roads. Water, energy drinks and non-perishable food are the best choices.

In winter, it’s not surprising to go outside and see your car covered in snow or ice. To be able to drive safely, you’ll have to remove the snow and ice. Keeping a cleaning kit in your car is important, so you’re not caught out. One of the key tools you need is an ice scraper to remove any ice accumulated on the windshield. Windscreen wiper fluid and a working wiper blade are also essential to keep your windscreen clean and free of snow.

Low temperatures can affect battery operation and you might end up with a flat battery when you least expect it. Keeping jumper cables in your car is important to kick start your dead battery and get you back on the road.

If your car breaks down at night or you get a flat tyre, a torch is an absolute must. While most smartphones have a torch function, it’s better to save your mobile’s power for emergency contact. LED torches have a very good battery life and emit a very powerful light, so they can be great allies for our nights on the road.

One of the safest and most convenient options in case of emergency is to always keep a set of warm clothes in your car. When planning your emergency warm clothing, thinks of packing clothes that you can layer and won’t impede your driving.

By creating your own winter kit for your vehicle, you can personalise it to your need and be able to minimise the risk and enjoy a safe winter behind the wheel.