ADAC: Heated Cushions, Ice Scrapers and More - What Car Winter Accessories Do You Really Need?

Fan heaters, drying sachets, or electric ice scrapers: Numerous gadgets for cars in winter are offered by discounters and on the internet. Whether they are really helpful is shown by a system comparison by ADAC experts. Much of what is offered online or in the supermarket proves to be superfluous upon first trial.

Winter Accessories for the Interior

Heating fans that clear a foggy windshield, a heated steering wheel that warms cold fingers – there are numerous interior gadgets for heating. But not all accessories are effective and practical. Additionally, such gadgets need to be connected to the 12-volt socket – and that puts a strain on the starter battery. 

Heating Cushions

Heating cushions are often not well-fixed to the seat, and the holding capacity of the surface material is usually insufficient. There is a risk of sliding under the belt during hard braking or an accident. Moreover, most models lack a step switch.

Heated Seat Cover

The cover must be well-fastened, otherwise, as with heating cushions, you might slide under the belt during sharp braking. If not stated otherwise in the operating instructions, models with heating wires should not be bent, as it may lead to a smoldering fire. A step switch and an indicator light for turning off when exiting are recommended. It's even better to inquire with an auto upholsterer or workshop about a permanent retrofit under the seat cover.

Heating Fans

With 150 watts, heating fans have only very weak power and only clear the windshield in specific spots. A parking heater with its 4000 to 5000 watts is more effective. Be cautious with the fan installation: Fixing it on the dashboard with the provided screws could cause damage.

Heated Steering Wheel Cover

Fewer and fewer cars are equipped with 12-V sockets that supply power without the ignition on. And if available, these sockets are often (over)occupied by smartphones, seat heaters, mobile navigation, and other consumers. This can cause the starter battery to be overly discharged. The effort for a heated steering wheel cover is very high, as it needs to be plugged in well before the drive and unplugged immediately before starting. The benefit doesn't justify the effort.

Moreover, the product tempts users into illegal use while driving, which poses a major hazard due to the resulting cable mess. It's better to ask about retrofitting the original steering wheel with integrated heating at the workshop. For some models, vehicle-specific cable sets are available.

Winter accessories for body protection

Even with accessories for the body, the fundamental question arises: How sensible and effective are such winter aids really? Or do they, on the contrary, even pose dangers because they are poorly processed?

Exterior mirror cover

Protection covers for the exterior mirror offer only a point-specific protection and must be removed or put on before or after each drive. Many newer cars today already have mirror heaters, which automatically turn on at low temperatures or together with the rear window heating. This can usually be recognized by wavy lines on the mirror adjustment switch – or is stated in the operating instructions.

Electric ice scraper

With the electric ice scraper tested by the ADAC, only a short metal piece is heated, which does not contact the scraper edge. They are not very effective because they hardly manage to melt and then scrape away even thin ice. Furthermore, there is a risk of stress cracks in the glass or burning if the switched-on scraper is placed on the seat.

Windshield cover

In principle, windshield covers prove to be effective. However, a good quality and workmanship is a prerequisite. Ideal models have magnets at the bottom of both longitudinal edges, which allow fixation to the hood or car roof. Lightweight cardboard or plastic covers bulge or blow away.

Other winter aids

Many other aids are gimmicks that are unnecessary with proper winter preparation – with one exception.

Traction aid

The surfaces of traction aids often prove to be relatively smooth and mostly too short in practical tests to effectively help out of the snow slick. Snow chains are clearly the better choice here.

Window scraper

The window scraper offered by some discount stores with a round but smooth scraping edge does not cope with an icy window, it is at most effective on frost. And the cone shape does not capture the corners of the windows.

Drying bags

Drying bags are usually offered in pairs and according to the manufacturer absorb up to 500 grams of moisture per bag. In principle, such bags are fine. However, there is a danger that the fully soaked bags, each weighing one kilogram, can become projectiles. They must be properly stored, for example in the rear footwell. Moreover, you should knock as much snow as possible off your feet before getting in, so it does not melt inside the car. If the windows fog up from the inside without much snow in the car, this can be due to dirt, for example from nicotine, on the inside. Then cleaning helps against the moisture in the car – but not with household glass cleaners that leave a residue, instead use a suitable product.

Water kettle

Mobile water kettles are small thermal containers that are heated by the onboard voltage but cannot be fixed in the center console. There is a risk of scalding when braking hard. Moreover, the container can become a projectile. Anyway, making tea or coffee while driving is distracting.