Do you think driving in winter is challenging? You are not alone, as most others living in the snow belt would agree. While freezing temperatures make the inside of the car uncomfortable, ice on the roads make it very hard for you to control the vehicle properly. This is why knowing about the 10 car features that are helpful when driving in winter can be of use to you.

• All-wheel drive
  This is one of the best features that can ensure you have a smooth ride even in the coldest of conditions. Ordinary cars without this feature are likely to get trapped in the snow, and they may slide out of control completely. This can put you and your loved ones in a lot of danger. The 4-wheel drive or all-wheel drive will give your wheels the power to accelerate smoothly and maintain traction even on slippery surfaces.
• Engine block heaters
  These will allow your vehicle to warm up quickly in freezing temperatures and start without any trouble when you must head out. These use household electric current for warming the oil pan, dipstick, and other engine parts so that the metal parts and fluids can come to a normal temperature.
• Heated seats
  These are electrically heated, and you will now find these provided even in modestly-priced vehicles unlike earlier when this used to be a luxury car feature only. This makes it to the list of top 10 car features helpful when driving in winter because unless the driver is comfortable behind the wheel, he cannot be vigilant when driving.
• Headlight wipers
  Winters are associated with low visibility and snowy conditions; these are bound to affect your driving. Snow or ice tends to build up on headlights and causes them to malfunction. This is why headlight washers can be a good feature to have in your car as these will wash away the ice and allow you to see better.
• Electrically heated steering wheel
  This can be a huge help in extremely cold conditions because it will ensure that your hands feel warm when you start your car even when there are icy-cold conditions outside.
• Remote start systems
  These allow drivers to start their engines while they are still inside their warm temperature-controlled home. These systems are activated using a button on your car keys, and some are activated through apps on your smartphone.
• Clearance
  Besides an all-wheel-drive, you need ample ground clearance to drive comfortably during winter on icy roads. Ground clearance is the distance between the ground and your car’s undercarriage. When you stay somewhere in Alaska, where you can expect almost 10 inches of snow, you will be looking for this feature more than anything else.
• Winter tires
  These are specifically built for handling snow and ice conditions. Modern snow tires will use a combination of formulated rubber and unique tread patterns. These ensure that the tires stay soft even in frigid conditions so that traction is not affected on snow.
• Heated side mirrors
  These ensure that they are free from ice and fog, which helps the driver to see clearly.
• Windshield wiper de-icers
  These are needed to thaw the wiper blades, which become unusable if there is a lot of ice on them. While all cars come with a regular windshield defroster, there are some which even have electrical heating components on the bottom portions of the windshield for quick defrosting.