Top five winter car accessories you need

The cold and dreary months of winter have officially set in across the country but it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. With a little more self-care, you too can find the beauty in the cooler months, with these clever gadgets and comforting accessories for your car this winter.

You’ll often find heated side mirrors on up-spec modern cars but if your chariot isn’t that fancy, don’t fret!

Get your hands on one of these tiny extendable squeegees, so you can clear the frost and winter morning dew off your side mirrors from the comfort of your warm interior. Just pop down the windows, extend the squeegee arm, and swipe away.

Speaking of warm interiors, heated seats are a must-have, particularly for those cold morning commutes and it’s a good thing you don’t have to fork out thousands for the privilege.

That’s right, your 30-year-old Ford Falcon can have them too with these heated seat cushions. All you need is a 12-volt power outlet (cigarette lighter socket) and you’ve got a toasty tush!

If you love camping – or the drive-in movies – and own a Tesla Model Y, you’re in luck, because the US electric car maker has just released an official air mattress which means you can go camping (or should we say, glamping) in the warmth of your EV.

Forget trying to shove a big rectangle blow-up air mattress or flimsy piece of foam because this tailor-made air mattress will slot perfectly into your Model Y, once you’ve folded the rear seats flat. At around $A340, it’s not cheap, but it fits like a glove, is made of high-density 76mm foam, and comes with a carry bag and 12-volt air pump.

The best part? It’s bed-wetter approved. Ahem, waterproof.

If you’ve ever used Rain-X (or similar) – a water-repellent solution designed to help water bead off glass – you’ll know how handy the stuff is.

You can use it on motorcycle helmet visors and the inside of shower screens, and it even boosts the longevity of your windscreen wipers because it acts as a lubricant between the glass and rubber.

It’s worth keeping on hand in the cooler months, when it’s gloomy and wet because good visibility is key to staying safe on the road.

If you have isopropyl or rubbing alcohol, white vinegar, and dishwashing liquid on hand, you can probably even make your own with the help of Google or YouTube. Some resourceful people even use car polish…

In-car Starbucks

You’ve heard of Nespresso, now meet Handpresso, the 12-volt coffee maker you never knew you needed. And this electric espresso maker is the same concept, just for your car. It’s even compatible with Nespresso pods.

Of course, you could just forget the hassle and use a drive-thru barista but we’re thinking of those that are perhaps, further off-grid, or maybe just value time efficiency.  

If nothing else, the Handpresso would pair exceptionally well on a camping trip in your Tesla Model Y after waking up on your lovely foam mattress. Bliss.

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