Winter Accessories

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30406, 3 April 1964, Page 9

Winter Accessories

yyiNTER will soon be here, and drivers will again be facing the problems of the cold, of frosts, window misting, and heavy rain. Now is the time to plan the purchase of any accessories which can make winter driving more pleasant and more safe. A device which can make a very big contribution to both comfort and safety is a car heater, for not only will it warm the car occupants and make heavy clothing unnecessary, but it will also prevent the windscreen from misting up, which can be a very serious danger. Heavy clothing can be bad, for it can danI gerously impede the movements of the driver.

There are two main types of heater, the fresh-air type, which draws air from outside the car and warms it, and the recirculatory type, which merely warms the air already j inside the car. This latter type is often cheaper than a freshfair heater, but if there is a choice the fresh-air type is preferable. This is because fresh air is being pumped into the car, and not merely the stale air being recirculated. Thus a driver is less likely to become sleepy. However it is wise to have one window slightly open with any heater. Small electric bar heaters which adhere to the windscreen by rubber suction cups are also available, and although these clear mist from the windows fairly effectively they do little towards warming the car interior. They cost about 25s each, and are worth considering if the £lO to £2O for a proper heater is too much. Rear Windows

One of these small heaters can be very useful on the rear window, and a home mechanic should have little difficulty in connecting one up to keep the rear window clear. Remember however that it is essential to have a fuse in the circuit of any heater installation.

There are other devices available for keeping the rear and side windows clear. One type is a sheet of fairly heavy plastic, which is stuck onto the rear wnidow, leaving an air space between the plastic and the window. These can be most effective, and can be bought in a variety of sizes to suit all cars. They vary in price from about 12s upwards. Another device, intended mainly for side windows, comprises a thin sheet of plastic which is stuck to the glass, and works in a similar fashion to the heavy plastic screen. It is more suitable for side window’s, which can then be wound down.

In addition there are several brands of anti-mist cloths, tissues and fluids available from garages and accessory stores. Washers It is just as important to keep the outside of the windows clear as it is to keep the inside free from misting. The first essential here, of course, is good wiper blades. Using old wiper blades can be a false economy in more ways than one, for in addition to contributing to poor vision they may scratch the glass. It is always a good plan to carry a spare wiper blade in the boot.

Bug deflectors work on some cars, but on many are not very effective. A better investment may be a good windscreen washer, which is almost an essential. Heavy vehicles tend to throw muddy water on to the screen, and often this will merely smear. However a windscreen washer will soon move the dirt. This is particularly important at night. There are several types of washer on the market for those cars not fitted as standard, and these include, types with a hand-operated pump and slightly more expensive models with an electric pump. They range in price from about £2 or less to £6. Frequently the agent for your make of car will be able to advise on the best type of screen washer or heater. Tyres In wet weather it is vital to have good tyres. When a tyre revolves, the cuts and slots in its tread throw out the water and allow the tyre to touch the road surface. If the tyre is smooth this cannot happen, and consequently skids are very easily provoked.

Heavy braking will almost certainly result in the car sliding straight on or going into a skid if the tyres are badly worn, and in any event braking distances will be greatly increased, as grip is very greatly reduced. Therefore good tyres are an essential for winter driving. Most tyre makers say a tyre should be discarded when there is less than one millimetre (a twenty-fifth of an inch) of tread left. The car carpets will have a rough time if they are not covered in the winter, and mud and dirt will soon ruin them. The best method of protecting them is to fit rubber mats, and these can be purchased in various sizes

from most garages or accessory houses. To provide quick starting in the morning and to guard against frost damage to the engine motorists can purchase sump heaters for quite a low price. These run on kerosene, and are placed under the sump of the car to keep the oil and the engine warm. They are quite economical to run and protected against any fire. risk.

The outside of the car, particularly the chrome, is very likely to suffer during the winter. It is most advisable to buy a good polish and thoroughly polish the bodywork to give it a protective film. If you like to keep the window open when driving, but find this allows rain to be blown into your face, it may be worth while buying a weather shield. These shields, usually made of plastic, fasten to the window frame and deflect the draught and rain while still allowing plenty of fresh air into the car.

Mirrors If your car has a rear window which allows rain to lie on the outside, a wing mirror may be the answer to overcome the reduced rearward visibility. One of the

best types is spring loaded, so that a blow will merely swivel the mirror in its housing, and not damage it Mirrors are available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and prices, and are an excellent investment at any time. In today’s conditions of heavy traffic, particularly in the cities, a wing mirror is almost an essential. Even with a heater some rear seat .passengers suffer from the cold, so if you often carry passengers a car rug can be a good investment. It has the advantage that during the summer it can be. used for picnics.

With winter comes darkness, and all the car lights should naturally be in good condition and properly aimed. However, it may also be necessary to change a tyre at night, and garages can provide torches and spotlights. The type of torch with a magnetic clamp on it is very useful, and some others have special stands. Spotlights can be purchased for both 12 volt and six volt systems, and they can either be plugged into a cigarette lighter, or a special plug can be provided. They are ideal for late-night breakdowns, and also for finding house numbers or sign posts.

A safety device for changing tyres at night is the safety triangle, which, on country roads, can be set up some distance behind the car to warn oncoming traffic of the obstruction; The .triangle is reflecting and can. be seen from a long distance. If you have a particular dislike of changing tyres on the roadside, and feel the investment is . worth while, you can purchase a special aerosol which will both repair and inflate a punctured tyre in a few seconds without it being necessary to remove the wheel. It costs ■about 18s 6d.. Each can is filled with a sealing agent and. gas, under pressure, and the ' makers claim that all that is necessary after using the device on the tyre is to let the gas out and refill it with ordinary air within a few days. Finally, remember that winter usually brings a rise in the accident rate, and you would be foolish not to protect yourself. If you have not already got them, now is the time to fit seat belts, and it might also be wise to purchase a small fire extinguisher, for winter also brings an increase in the number of- car electrical fires.