Best products for your car in winter

With two snowstorms already and more on the way, our vehicles need a little TLC. Whether you need new tires, a battery or an emergency kit, here are some products to help you stay safe.

Tires

Consumer Reports rated performance all-season tires in 2006 and ultra-high-performance tires this year. Performance favorites for all-season (prices are for 225/40ZR-18): Dunlop SP Sport 5000 ($81), Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S ($78) and Falken Ziex ZE ($56). For severe winters, Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip GW3H ($102) and Nitto SN1H ($90). Ultra-high-performance favorites for all-season: Falken Ziex ZE-912 ($123) or Nitto Neo Gen ($92). For winter traction, Continental ContiExtremeContact ($106) and Sumitomo HTR+ ($86).

For the lowest prices, Twin Cities Consumer Checkbook (www.checkbook.org) likes Costco, Discount Tire Company (Brooklyn Park, 763-533-6829; Columbia Heights, 763-571-0566; www.tires.com) and the Tire Rack (www.thetirerack.com). Check prices and reviews online. When calling around, ask for a quote that includes your specific tire size, mounting, balancing, valve stems and tax.

Batteries

In this month's issue, Consumer Reports gave the NAPA Performance Select 8465 ($79) and AutoCraft Titanium 65-2 ($80 at Advance Auto stores only) top marks for group 65. The new and pricey absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries performed well. The top-rated model was the DieHard Platinum 50090 (available for $180 at Sears and Kmart only). The AGM batteries, which are maintenance-free, work well in vehicles where the battery is difficult to access.

Another option if you have an older, problematic battery and you want to avoid jumper cables is the Battery Brain (www.batterybrain.com or www.amazon.com). For $80 to $90, including shipping, you get a device to ensure that the engine always turns over. The device, which connects to the car's battery, operates as an off/on switch between the battery and the electrical system. If the charge drops below the level needed to start the car, Battery Brain automatically cuts off power to anything draining the battery. The product can be installed by DIYs or done professionally by an auto mechanic in 30 to 45 minutes.

Everyone claims to have the best scraper -- heated, special shape, longer -- but why not prevent the ice from forming on your windshield in the first place? Ice Free ($17 plus $5 shipping, 1-877-777-9372, ext. 707, or www.worldsourceinc.net/icefree.htm) is applied to a vehicle's windshield prior to inclement weather. A cheaper, albeit untested, alternative from the Vinegar Book is to spray a mixture of three parts vinegar and one part water in a spray bottle. Spray the windshield after parking your vehicle for the night. In the morning, use the windshield wipers to clear away the moisture on the window.

Battery-powered cell-phone charger

The ubiquitous cell phone is a potential lifesaver when you're stranded in bad weather. Chargers that you can use with a car battery are common, but AA battery-powered cell-phone chargers are a good backup when your car battery is dead and you don't have electrical access. The Turbo Charge TB550 portable Cell Phone Charger ($20 to $30) can charge a phone up to three times with two AA batteries. One model comes with eight adapters to use with most phones, and additional adapters are available at the website. A less expensive model comes with a single adapter of choice. It's available at Staples, Target.com and turbocellcharge.com.

Emergency kits

It's easy to find emergency road kits at a variety of retailers. AAA Travel stores (seven Twin Cities locations) have two models for $30 and $40 (less for members). You can assemble your own in a gym bag: ice scraper and brush, boots, gloves, hat, LED flashlight, food, blanket, jumper cables, first aid kit, flares, waterproof matches, strobe or reflective triangle, small shovel, sand/salt mix in milk cartons.