Buzz
Maintaining a car during winter can be challenging, even if you rarely drive. Issues like frozen locks, stubborn doors, and foggy windows that obscure your view can make the snowy season a minefield of unexpected car troubles.
Thankfully, staying prepared and exploring innovative fixes can help. These handy tips and tricks can simplify cold-weather car maintenance and ensure your daily drive is a little less stressful.
Use Shaving Cream to Keep Your Windshield Spotless
If your car windows resemble the famous Titanic scene every time you step inside, try using inexpensive shaving cream. Apply a thin layer to the interior of your windows—its active ingredients work like defoggers—then wipe it off. This trick will keep your windows clear while driving.
Protect Your Side Mirrors with Plastic Bags
Unless you have a garage, keeping your entire car free of snow and ice is nearly impossible, but side mirrors are a simple fix. Cover them with gallon-sized plastic bags, securing them with rubber bands. When it’s time to hit the road, just remove the bags to reveal spotless mirrors.
Apply Hand Sanitizer to Your Keys
Freezing temperatures can cause car locks to ice over, leaving your keys stuck. Prevent this hassle by rubbing a small amount of hand sanitizer on your keys. The alcohol content will melt the ice in the locks quickly. Alternatively, spraying WD-40 into the locks can stop ice from forming altogether.
Warm Your Keys Using a Lighter
If hand sanitizer isn’t available, a lighter can come in handy to heat your key. This method helps melt the ice inside your car’s lock.
Cover Your Wiper Blades with Old Socks
Before a snowstorm, lifting your wiper blades is a smart move to prevent them from freezing to the windshield. To go the extra mile, slide an old sock over each blade to stop ice from forming. Keep the socks in your glove compartment—they’re versatile and can be reused for other purposes. (More on that later.)
Place a Rug Over Your Windshield When Parked
During stormy weather, keep an old rug, carpet, or tarp in your car's trunk. When parking, drape it over your windshield to shield it from snow and ice buildup. This improvised cover can also provide extra grip if your vehicle gets stuck in snowy conditions.
Check Your Tire Tread with a Penny
Driving safely on snow and ice heavily depends on your tire treads, which ensure proper traction. To check if your tires are winter-ready, take a clean penny from your change jar. Insert it into the tire's groove with Lincoln's head facing downward. If his head is fully covered by the tread, your tires are in good shape. If not, consider replacing them for better winter performance.
Enhance Shoe Traction with Socks
If you're struggling for traction in the snow with inadequate shoes, use socks from your glove compartment. Slip them over your shoes to gain better grip and stability for pushing through snowy obstacles.
Apply Cooking Spray to Prevent Frozen Car Doors
In freezing weather, car doors often freeze shut. To prevent this, use cooking spray from your kitchen the night before a storm. Spray it on the rubber seals of the doors and wipe off the excess. The spray acts as a lubricant, preventing ice from forming and making it easier to open your doors.
Repurpose an Old Credit Card as an Ice Scraper
While a high-quality ice scraper is ideal for clearing your windshield, everyday items can work in a pinch. An old credit card, gift card, or even a plastic spatula can serve as a makeshift scraper. Avoid metal tools, as they can scratch or damage your windshield.
Use Cat Litter to Clear Foggy Windows
To prevent foggy windows and mirrors, fill a couple of socks with highly absorbent cat litter, preferably the silica type, and place them inside your car. These will soak up the moisture that causes fogging.
Clear Snow from Your Car’s Roof Using a Push Broom
A push broom is a handy tool for this task, though any broom can work if it doesn’t scratch your car’s paint. Begin by clearing snow from the roof, then move to lower areas. Removing all snow isn’t just safer—it’s also becoming a legal requirement in many places, with fines for failing to do so.
Store Kitty Litter in Your Trunk for Added Traction
For rear-wheel drive vehicles, adding weight to the trunk can improve traction on snowy roads. Place a 20-pound bag of kitty litter or road salt in the trunk to help stabilize your rear tires.
Use Your Car’s Floor Mats for Extra Traction in Snowy Situations
If you find yourself stuck in a snowbank, place cardboard or your car’s floor mats under your tires for better grip. In more challenging situations, sprinkle kitty litter under the wheels to enhance traction and help you get moving.
Create Your Own Windshield Washer Fluid
Windshield washer fluid can deplete quickly during winter. Save money by making your own using common household items. Combine a gallon of water with one tablespoon of dish soap, half a cup of vinegar, and a few drops of blue food coloring. To prevent freezing, add one cup of isopropyl alcohol. Test the mixture outdoors to ensure it doesn’t freeze before using it in your car. If it’s slushy or frozen, increase the alcohol content.
Park Your Vehicle Facing East for Easier Morning Defrosting
When parking overnight, position your car to face east. As the sun rises, it will help melt snow and ice, making it easier to clear your windshield in the morning.
