Prepare Your Vehicle For Winter: Must-Have Features For Disabled Drivers & Passengers

We’re excited to be back on the Mobility in Motion platform! At MotaClarity, we know just how important it is to prepare your vehicle for winter. Navigating icy roads and staying comfortable during cold-weather journeys can be challenging, but the right features and adaptations can make all the difference for disabled drivers and passengers. This month, we’re diving into the essential winter-friendly automotive features, upgrades, and mobility adaptations that will help you stay safe and comfortable as the temperatures drop.

Winter Tyres

Winter tyres, also known as snow tyres, are a valuable winter adaptation. Designed with a unique rubber compound and deeper tread grooves to help with grip, winter tyres stay flexible in cold weather, providing improved traction on icy roads. For drivers who use hand controls, winter tyres offer better control and stability, allowing for improved braking and safer handling. If you are a Motability Scheme customer, many Motability-accredited car dealerships (and Motability Scheme tyre partner Kwik Fit) offer winter tyre options, but you would be responsible for any costs, including the cost of the tyres and the fitting of them.

Hand Controls

If you use hand controls – which allow drivers who are unable to operate the foot pedals to accelerate and brake by hand – late autumn is an ideal time to check they’re ready for the colder months. Updated models of hand controls offer ergonomic designs that provide a stronger grip, which can be particularly helpful in icy weather or when you’re wearing gloves. Some electronic versions even come with electronic braking functions to support smoother stops on icy roads. Having your hand controls checked before winter begins is a wise move to ensure they’re operating at their best.

Person Hoists & Transfer Plates

Icy winter conditions can make getting into a car more difficult, particularly for those who use wheelchairs or need support during transfers. Two valuable adaptations that can make this process safer in all weather conditions are person hoists and transfer plates:

Person Hoists: Designed to lift you from a wheelchair into the vehicle with ease, person hoists reduce the physical strain of getting seated.

Transfer Plates: These plates help you transfer from a wheelchair onto the vehicle seat more smoothly by bridging the gap between the wheelchair and the car.

Heated Seats & Seat Covers

Inside the vehicle, heated seats can make a huge difference, especially for disabled drivers and passengers who are sensitive to the cold. Heated seats not only improve comfort but can also help to prevent muscle stiffness. If your vehicle doesn’t come with heated seats as a standard feature, a more affordable option to explore is heated seat covers. These covers plug into the car’s power outlet, offering similar warmth and comfort for a fraction of the cost.

Heated Side Mirrors & Enhanced Lighting

Heated side mirrors are a valuable winter feature as they contain electrical heating elements that prevent fog and ice build-up, functioning much like a defroster for the rear window. In addition to heated mirrors, upgrading to LED headlights or adding fog lights can make a huge difference in winter. These provide clearer illumination, helping you to see and be seen more effectively in snowy or foggy conditions. Finally, using winter-grade windshield washer fluid is essential – it’s designed to withstand low temperatures, preventing ice build-up on your windshield.

Remote Engine Start & Pre-Conditioning

Remote engine start and pre-conditioning are features that can help you adjust your car’s interior temperature before you get in, which can be a huge convenience on colder mornings. Very common on electric vehicles and usually operated via a smartphone, it means you can activate your car’s climate control before you get in, plus  it also helps to demist the windscreen and windows. Many systems can also heat up the seats and steering wheel!

Weatherproof Wheelchair Storage

For those who travel with wheelchairs, scooters or other mobility aids, keeping them dry and ready to use at all times is important. If you need more space in your boot, consider transporting these items in a weatherproof roof box (such as a ‘Chair Topper’) or a boot hoist, that’s easy to access and prevents snow, ice or salt from damaging your mobility aids.

All-Weather Floor & Boot Mats

Winter weather brings in a lot of moisture, snow and mud, which can make vehicle floors slippery and hard to keep clean. All-weather floor and boot mats can help prevent water build-up and are easy to clean, which can be especially useful if you use a wheelchair or other aids that might track in extra water or mud. Some mats are also anti-slip, which is helpful for anyone transferring in or out of the car.

Cameras & Parking Sensors

Navigating in poor winter visibility can be challenging, so reversing cameras, 360° bird’s-eye view cameras and parking sensors can be particularly helpful. Many modern vehicles have these built-in, but they can also be added as an aftermarket adaptation. These assistive technologies make parking, reversing and manoeuvring far easier. Panoramic mirrors are also a great addition which extend your view of blind spots.

An Emergency Kit With Winter Essentials

Every vehicle should have an emergency kit stored somewhere like the boot or glove box, but in winter, it’s especially important to pack extra items like:

• A thermal blanket
• Hand warmers
• Non-perishable snacks
• A flashlight and batteries
• Extra medication (if applicable)
• A phone charger

These additions can provide extra reassurance if you encounter an unexpected delay or a long vehicle breakdown during a cold winter trip.

Enjoying The Season With Peace Of Mind

As winter approaches, these tips can hopefully help you to keep your vehicle accessible, comfortable and safe, helping you enjoy the season with peace of mind.

As always, thank you to Mobility in Motion for featuring us again. For more detailed advice on vehicle adaptations, check out their adaptations page and be sure to visit MotaClarity for all things disability motoring, from expert guides to the latest in Motability offers.