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Winter Car Gear: Chains, Snow Socks and Cold-Start Heaters

Snow chains, snow socks, battery blankets and block heaters: sizing, chain laws and when they help, compared from specs, manuals and owner reports.

Gear in this category

AutoSock

AutoSock HP snow socks

Textile snow socks for occasional snow and ice, sold by tire size: pick the size for your tire with AutoSock's size finder. Colorado DOT lists AutoSock as an approved alternative traction device.

Key specs

  • Max 30 mph (50 km/h) per AutoSock
  • Wear limit: half the white fabric gone
  • On Colorado DOT's approved traction device list
  • Usable with ABS and traction control on, per AutoSock
Mid-range

Paid link

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FrostGuard

FrostGuard Plus Windshield Cover

A cover for the front windshield and wipers, with security panels, side poles and two mirror covers. For parked cars only. Pick the size for your windshield.

Key specs

  • Standard: 59 x 41 in (150 x 104 cm)
  • XL: 68 x 41 in (173 x 104 cm)
  • Front windshield only, parked use only
Budget

Paid link

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Kat's

Kat's 22100X Thermal Battery Wrap

A 60-watt heated vinyl wrap for smaller car batteries that plugs into a household outlet. Retailer etrailer lists it for groups 26, 26R and 70 and for use below freezing. Measure your battery first.

Key specs

  • 60 watts, 28 in (71 cm) long
  • Etrailer lists groups 26, 26R and 70
  • For use below 32°F (0°C), per etrailer
Budget

Paid link

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Kat's

Kat's 22200X Thermal Battery Wrap

An 80-watt heated vinyl wrap for common car and truck batteries that plugs into a household outlet. Etrailer's experts say it has no thermostat and should run only below freezing. Measure your battery first.

Key specs

  • 80 watts, 36 in (91 cm) long
  • Etrailer lists groups 24, 24F, 27, 27F and 74
  • No thermostat: use below 32°F (0°C)
Budget

Paid link

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König

König XG-12 Pro

Self-tensioning, self-centering chain for midsize to full-size SUVs, vans and motorhomes too tight for traditional chains. Some listings use the older Thule name. Pick the size for your tire.

Key specs

  • Links at most 0.47 in (12 mm) thick
  • For vehicles too tight for 0.63 in (16 mm) chains
  • Self-centering and self-tensioning
Premium

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MAXTRAX

MAXTRAX MKII Recovery Boards

Reinforced nylon recovery boards made in Australia. MAXTRAX rates them down to -4°F (-20°C), for vehicles up to 11,000 lb (5,000 kg), and advises against highway tires.

Key specs

  • 45.3 in (115 cm) long, 7.5 lb (3.4 kg) per board
  • Rated down to -4°F (-20°C)
  • Vehicles up to 11,000 lb (5,000 kg)
Premium

Paid link

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Michelin

Michelin Easy Grip Evolution

Composite snow chain sold in numbered sizes from EVO 1 to EVO 19. Pick the size for your tire on Michelin's chart and check that your manual allows chains.

Key specs

  • Composite chain in numbered sizes, EVO 1 to EVO 19
  • 205/55 R16 tires take EVO 7 (Michelin chart)
Premium

Paid link

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Michelin

Michelin SOS Grip Evolution

Textile snow socks for emergency use over short distances on snowy roads, per Michelin's Amazon listing. Sold in numbered sizes: pick the size for your tire and check that your manual allows traction devices.

Key specs

  • Max 50 km/h (31 mph), per Michelin's listing
  • Fits in under 2 minutes, per Michelin's listing
  • ESP and ABS compatible, per Michelin's listing
  • Reusable polyester tread
Mid-range

Paid link

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Peerless

Peerless Auto-Trac LT

Self-tightening link chain for pickups and SUVs. Ratchets tighten it while driving. Sold by tire size: choose the part number (for example 0232105) that lists your tire.

Key specs

  • Meets SAE Class S on SUVs and pickups
  • Self-tightening ratchets, no tensioners
  • Installs without moving the vehicle
Mid-range

Paid link

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Security Chain Company

Security Chain Company Super Z6

Low-profile cable chain for cars, pickups and SUVs with tight wheel wells. Sold by tire size: pick the part number (SZ115 to SZ451) that lists your exact tire size.

Key specs

  • Needs 0.25 in (6.3 mm) of sidewall space
  • Exceeds SAE Class S clearance
  • Max 30 mph (50 km/h) per SCC
  • Rubber tensioners, no retightening stop
Mid-range

Paid link

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Snow Joe

Snow Joe SJBLZD Telescoping Snow Broom

A telescoping snow broom with a foam head and a built-in ice scraper, for clearing snow off the roof, windows and lights and scraping the side windows.

Key specs

  • Foam broom head
  • Telescoping handle
  • Built-in ice scraper
Budget

Paid link

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SubZero

SubZero 17222 Collapsible Aluminum Shovel

A collapsible aluminum emergency shovel that stores in the trunk, for digging snow away from the tires and from under the car before using traction aids.

Key specs

  • Aluminum construction
  • Collapses for trunk storage
  • Handle can fit into the blade for scooping
Budget

Paid link

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X-BULL

X-BULL Gen 3.0 Recovery Traction Tracks

A budget pair of reinforced nylon recovery boards with a carry bag, each 41.7 in (106 cm) long. X-BULL's Amazon listing rates them down to -4°F (-20°C).

Key specs

  • 41.7 in (106 cm) long
  • 11.2 lb (5.1 kg) per pair
  • Amazon listing: rated down to -4°F (-20°C)
Budget

Paid link

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Zerostart

Zerostart 2800063 Battery Warmer Blanket

An 80-watt, 120 V battery blanket with Thinsulate insulation and a 30 in grounded cord. No thermostat. Not for lithium-ion or ABS-case batteries; check your battery group first.

Key specs

  • 80 watts, 120 V, 36 in (91 cm) long
  • Listed for groups 24, 25, 27, 31, 34, 35, 38, 74 and variants
  • 30 in (76 cm) grounded cord, no thermostat
Budget

Paid link

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Zerostart

Zerostart 3400021 Heat Magnet

A 300-watt, 120 V magnetic heater for steel oil pans and non-aluminum engine blocks. Zerostart says a built-in thermostat keeps it under 266°F (130°C). A magnet won't hold on an aluminum pan.

Key specs

  • 300 watts, 120 V
  • Thermostat keeps it under 266°F (130°C)
  • 6 ft (1.8 m) cord
  • Not for aluminum oil pans
Mid-range

Paid link

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Learn step by step

Snow Socks Explained

3 lessons in this series, 10 min in total

  1. Snow Socks vs Snow Chains: Which Do You Need?3 min read
  2. Are Snow Socks Legal Where Chains Are Required?4 min read
  3. How Long Do Snow Socks Last, and How Fast Can You Drive?3 min read

Cold Starts: Battery Warmers and Block Heaters

4 lessons in this series, 13 min in total

  1. Do Car Battery Blankets Work?4 min read
  2. Battery Blanket vs Battery Maintainer: Which Do You Need?3 min read
  3. Block Heater vs Battery Warmer: Which Helps a Cold Start More?3 min read
  4. At What Temperature Should You Plug In a Block Heater?3 min read

Choosing and Fitting Snow Chains

2 lessons in this series, 6 min in total

  1. What Size Snow Chains Do I Need? Tire Size and Class S3 min read
  2. Do Snow Chains Go on the Front or Rear Wheels?3 min read

More guides