20 Forgotten Car Accessories People Used to Deal with Snow and Ice

It can be hard to drive in winter because snow and ice make the roads dangerous. Over the years, many car accessories have been made to help drivers stay safe in winter. Many of these accessories are no longer used because new technologies have emerged, while others are just forgotten relics from the past.

Tricia Quitales
April 7, 2025
6 min read

20 Forgotten Car Accessories People Used to Deal with Snow and Ice — Aleksey Kuprikov on Pexels

People used to depend on different car accessories to make their trips safer and easier to handle when driving in winter. These add-ons helped drivers deal with snow, ice, and freezing temperatures by giving them simple tools and creative ways to solve problems. Most of these things are out of date or have been replaced by better ones. This article looks back at 20 old-fashioned car accessories that people used to rely on to get through the snow and ice. It’s a fun look into the past of winter car care.

1. Snow Chains

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In the past, snow chains were required for all cars that lived in snowy places. They were put on tires by drivers to help them grip better on snow and ice. These days, cars usually have better tires and traction control systems, but in the past, winter safety meant having snow chains.

2. Heated Windshield Wipers

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It was made so that heated wipers could help clear ice and snow off the windshield. Because the wiper blades have a heating element, the ice would melt, and the blades would not freeze. Newer cars have better defrosting systems, but heated windshield wipers were once a popular winter add-on.

3. Snow Shovels

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People who lived in places where it snowed a lot often had a snow shovel in their cars. These were used to clear snow from around cars or in case they got stuck. Many people still carry shovels in the winter, even though snow blowers and plows have made them less useful.

4. Windshield Covers

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Windshield covers were made to keep frost and ice from building up overnight. They were just laid over the windshield so drivers wouldn’t have to scrape ice off in the morning. These days, defrosting technology has replaced this easy fix.

5. Ice Scrapers

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An ice scraper was a simple but necessary tool for scraping frost and ice off the windshield. They came in a range of styles, from hand-held plastic ones to ones with built-in brushes. Since heated windshields have been invented, scrapers aren’t used as often.

6. Tire Inflators

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Because winter tires lose air pressure when it’s cold outside, tire inflators were an important add-on. You could plug these small gadgets into the power outlet in your car to quickly pump up the tires. Inflators aren’t as important as they used to be because many new cars have built-in systems.

7. Car Battery Heaters

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When it gets cold, car batteries might not be able to start the engine. To keep the battery warm and working, car battery heaters were installed around it. These days, most cars have better battery insulation, so you don’t need this extra item.

8. Heated Seat Covers

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People often put heated seat covers in their cars on cold winter mornings to keep themselves warmer. People could plug them in and quickly heat their seats while driving. It’s less common to buy aftermarket covers these days because many cars already have heated seats built in.

9. Snow Brushes

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Another useful tool for getting snow off cars was a snow brush with a scraper. The long handle made it easy to reach the roof of the car, and the bristles made it simple to remove the snow. People still use this accessory, but more modern ways to remove snow often take its place.

10. Automatic Windshield Washer Systems

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Drivers of older cars had to manually pump a handle to clean the windshield. Automatic systems that pumped out extra fluid to melt snow and ice were lifesavers when it snowed. These days, almost all cars come with an automatic washer system.

11. Emergency Blankets

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During winter storms, drivers often brought extra blankets in case their cars broke down. These blankets were made to keep people warm while they waited for help in cold weather. With today’s safety features in cars, this add-on isn’t as important.

12. Winter Car Mats

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With winter car mats, you can keep the inside of your car dry and warm in winter. These heavy-duty mats were easy to remove and clean. Some people still use them, but many cars now have floors that can withstand the weather.

13. De-Icing Fluid

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People liked to spray de-icing fluid on their windshields, doors, and locks to keep them from freezing. The ice would melt quickly, making it safer to drive and easier to open doors. These fluids aren’t needed as much these days because many cars have built-in de-icing features.

14. Car Skirts

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Skirts were put around the base of the car to keep snow from getting stuck underneath. They were especially useful in places where it snowed a lot. However, as cars have improved, car skirts are less useful.

15. Snow Traction Mats

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Snow traction mats were put under the tires of cars that got stuck in deep snow to help them move. These mats were very important as part of the winter emergency kit. However, all-terrain vehicles and snow plows have made them less important now.

16. Antifreeze Refrigerant

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Antifreeze was one common additive to a car’s coolant system to prevent freezing. This kept the engine from getting too hot or freezing in the winter. Antifreeze additives are usually built into modern cooling systems when they are made.

17. Car Defroster Kits

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Some people install aftermarket defroster kits in addition to the ones that come with the car. These kits could be placed on the windows to help melt the ice quickly. However, newer cars have better defrosting systems, which means these kits are no longer useful.

18. Portable Jump Starters

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People used to like portable jump starters for keeping their car batteries charged all winter. When it got really cold, these small, rechargeable gadgets could be used to get a dead battery going again. This accessory is no longer needed because most cars have built-in jump-starting and roadside assistance services.

19. Snow Tires

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Snow tires, also called winter tires, are made to work in cold, snowy weather. They are made with rubber and a deeper tread that grips ice and snow better than regular tires. Even though they are still used, many cars now come with tires that work well in the winter without switching out.

20. Car Snow Covers

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Car snow covers are meant to be put over the whole car to keep snow and ice off of it. The covers were small, light, and easy to take off, which made them useful for snowstorms. This add-on isn’t used as much anymore because of new technologies.