Reviewed by the MicksGarage technical team
Quick answer: To get your car ready for an Irish winter, test your battery and keep a jump starter in the car, check your coolant is mixed 50:50, fit fresh wiper blades and use winter screenwash, and keep de-icer and an ice scraper to hand. Treat the inside of your windscreen with anti-fog, check your tyres and lights, and pack a small emergency kit. Most winter breakdowns come down to a flat battery, so start there.
Winter car checklist at a glance
| Check | Why it matters in winter | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Battery health | Cold weather cuts battery power just when your engine needs more to start | Battery tester, new battery |
| Jump starter | Gets you going without waiting for help or a second car | NOCO jump starter |
| Battery charger | Keeps batteries topped up on cars that do short trips or sit unused | NOCO smart charger |
| De-icer and scraper | Clears frost fast and safely | Winter Ice Kit, de-icer |
| Anti-fog | Stops the inside of the glass misting up | Rain-X Anti Fog |
| Rain repellent | Helps rain and sleet run off the windscreen | Rain-X Rain Repellent |
| Screenwash | Ordinary water freezes in the washer bottle | winter screenwash |
| Wiper blades | Worn blades smear in rain and road salt | wiper blades |
| Coolant / antifreeze | A weak mix can freeze and damage the engine | coolant and antifreeze |
| Tyres | Grip matters most on wet, icy roads | snow socks, puncture repair |
| Lights | Short days mean more driving in the dark | replacement bulbs |
| Heated accessories | Keep you warm and help clear the glass | heated accessories |
| Emergency kit | In case you’re stuck or broken down in the cold | emergency and breakdown kit |
1. Check your battery and carry a jump starter
Batteries are the number one cause of winter breakdowns. Cold temperatures slow the chemical reaction inside a battery, so it delivers less power, while a cold engine with thick oil needs more power to start. Short trips with the heater, lights and heated screen on don’t give the battery time to recharge.
- Test it: a battery tester shows its health in seconds. A battery more than 4–5 years old, or one that cranks slowly on cold mornings, is likely to fail soon.
- Replace it if needed: find the right battery for your car, and read our car battery guide for help choosing.
- Carry a jump starter: a portable lithium jump starter lets you restart a flat battery yourself in minutes, without jump leads or another car.
NOCO jump starters: our winter best-sellers
NOCO Boost jump starters are compact, powerful and designed to be safe. They protect against sparks and reverse polarity, so they’re easy for anyone to use. Choose by engine size:
| NOCO jump starter | Peak amps | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOCO GB20 Boost Sport | 500A | Small petrol cars | €89.99 |
| NOCO GB40 Boost Plus | 1,000A | Most family cars, petrol and diesel | €114.99 |
| NOCO GB50 Boost XL | 1,500A | Larger diesels, SUVs and vans | €203.99 |
| NOCO GB70 Boost HD | 2,000A | Big diesels and commercial vehicles | €296.99 |
If your car does lots of short trips or sits for days at a time, a NOCO smart charger keeps the battery healthy all winter. It can stay connected and switches to maintenance mode automatically. Popular choices are the NOCO GENIUS1 (€49.99), the NOCO GENIUS2 (€72.99) and the faster NOCO GENIUS5 (€104.99). On a tighter budget, a set of jump leads is a must-have backup.
2. Keep your windscreen clear: de-icer, anti-fog and rain repellent
You must be able to see clearly out of every window before you drive, and an Irish winter throws frost, fog, rain and condensation at you. Here’s how to stay on top of it:
Frost and ice
A good de-icer clears frost in seconds and saves a lot of scraping. Our MicksGarage Winter Ice Kit (€16.99) puts the essentials for frosty mornings in one pack, including Holts de-icer. You can also buy Holts Aerosol De-Icer (€3.49), Holts Trigger De-Icer (€4.99) and ice scrapers from €2.99 separately. Never pour boiling water on the windscreen, as the sudden change in temperature can crack the glass.
Fogged-up windows
Misted-up glass on the inside is one of the most common winter complaints. Rain-X Anti Fog (€8.99) treats the inside of the glass to stop fog forming, so your screen clears faster. Pair it with a reusable car dehumidifier to absorb the moisture causing the problem: the Clear Vision Duo (Pingi dehumidifier + Rain-X Anti Fog) is a best-seller at €17.95. Read why in our car dehumidifier guide.
Rain, sleet and road spray
Rain-X Rain Repellent makes rain bead up and blow off the windscreen at speed, which makes a real difference on dark, wet evenings. The Rain-X range also includes Rain-X De-Icer & Rain Repellent, Rain-X Concentrated Screenwash (to −15°C) and Rain-X 2-in-1 Glass Cleaner & Rain Repellent. See the full Rain-X range.
Screenwash and wipers
Top up with a winter screenwash rather than water, which can freeze in the bottle and the jets. Holts Concentrated Screen Wash 5L is just €6.99. If your wipers smear or judder, replace them. Our guide to Bosch Aerotwin vs Superplus wiper blades will help you choose.
3. Check your coolant and antifreeze
Coolant that’s too weak can freeze, which can crack the engine block or radiator. Check the level when the engine is cold, and make sure the mix is right: a 50:50 mix of antifreeze and water protects down to about −36°C. If you’re unsure, top up with a ready-to-use coolant such as Prestone Ready to Use (€19.99). Our coolant and antifreeze guide includes a full mix ratio chart.
4. Stay warm with heated accessories
Heated accessories make cold mornings more bearable and are popular gifts too:
- 12V Car Heater and Defroster Fan (€12.99): helps clear the screen and warm the cabin while the engine heats up.
- Streetwize Heated Seat Cushion (€17.99): adds heated seats to any car.
- Ocoopa rechargeable hand warmer and power bank (€22.99): warms your hands and charges your phone.
Tip: only use 12V heaters with the engine running, so you don’t flatten the battery.
5. Check your tyres
The legal minimum tread depth in Ireland is 1.6mm, but grip drops off well before that, so for winter many experts recommend at least 3mm. Check your tyre pressures monthly, because they fall as the temperature drops. If you live somewhere that gets snow, tyre snow socks (from €10) give extra grip when you need it, and they fold away in the boot.
6. Check all your lights
With short days, you’ll be driving in the dark more often. Walk around the car and check every bulb, including headlights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate light. Keep headlights clean, because road grime cuts their output. Find the right bulb with our bulbs by type range.
7. Pack a winter emergency kit
If you break down or get stuck in the cold, a few basics make a big difference:
- A car emergency kit (€14.99) with a warning triangle, first aid kit and hi-vis vest
- Your jump starter, or jump leads
- A torch, a warm blanket, water and snacks
- A charged power bank for your phone
- Holts Tyreweld (€9.99) for punctures
- A snow shovel and shoe ice grips if heavy snow is forecast
Before every frosty journey
- Allow extra time, and never drive off peering through a small cleared patch.
- Clear all the windows, mirrors and lights, plus snow from the roof.
- Run the heater on the windscreen with the air conditioning on: it dries the air and clears fog faster.
- Drive gently, leave a bigger gap and brake early, especially on untreated roads.
Prices correct at time of writing. Shop our full winter range.
Winter car FAQs
Why won’t my car start on a cold morning?
Usually it’s the battery. Cold weather reduces its power while making the engine harder to turn over. Read why your car might not start on a cold morning, and keep a NOCO jump starter in the car just in case.
How do I stop my car windows fogging up on the inside?
Clean the inside of the glass, treat it with Rain-X Anti Fog, and use a reusable dehumidifier to soak up moisture. When driving, aim the heater at the windscreen with the air conditioning on to dry the air.
Is it OK to use hot water to de-ice my windscreen?
No. Hot or boiling water can crack the windscreen because of the sudden temperature change, and it can refreeze on the glass and the ground. Use a de-icer spray and a scraper instead.
Do I need winter tyres in Ireland?
They aren’t a legal requirement in Ireland. Good all-season or summer tyres with plenty of tread are fine for most drivers. If you live in a hilly or rural area that often gets snow and ice, winter tyres or snow socks give extra grip.
What should I keep in my car in winter?
De-icer and an ice scraper, a jump starter or jump leads, a torch, a warm blanket, a charged phone power bank, a hi-vis vest and warning triangle, water and snacks. Our Winter Ice Kit and emergency kits cover the essentials.
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