“Tips for Cleaning Snow off of your Vehicle”
The snow is coming. The snow is here. While winter can be a beautiful season, it also brings a fair share of challenges. One of the worst things about winter is having to constantly remove snow from your car. In this week's blog, we will cover some tips on removing snow from your vehicle.
Run the defrosters: Before you begin removing the snow and ice from your vehicle, make sure you start your car. Turn on your front and rear defrosters. They will help to melt the snow or ice on your car’s front and rear windshields. Before entering your vehicle, brush off your driver’s door to avoid snow falling inside. While your car runs, you can work on clearing off any snow and ice. Your vehicle will also warm up and be much warmer when you enter your vehicle.
Brush snow off from top to bottom: Start with the roof. This snow will fall and cover your windows if you do it last requiring you to do even more work. Clearing the roof also prevents snow and ice from flying off and potentially causing harm to other motorists. Once the roof is done, start working your way around. Make sure to get all windows even if they may be small. Do not rush. Also, clear off your headlights, turn signals, and license plates so that you can be seen and be legally driving.
Have a good pair of gloves: Your hands will get cold fast. Wear a good pair of gloves and some warm layers. If you are not as cold, you will be less likely to rush and miss vital locations on your car for viability. It is also safer, as the cold can be very dangerous to the body.
Give yourself time: When freezing temperatures or snowy weather is expected, plan on leaving your front door a little earlier so that you have time to fully clear off your vehicle. 10 minutes early can be a good time to aim for, but this time may need to be adjusted due to weather conditions. Don’t forget if your car is snow-covered the roads may be too resulting in slower driving conditions. Rushing in the winter is never a good idea.
Use the proper tools: Make sure to use a snow brush or a car-safe device that is intended for snow removal. Never use a shovel or anything that’s not meant for car snow removal. It could scratch up your vehicle. When removing ice, only use an ice scraper designed for cars. Do not use anything metal or sharp that you have around the house, such as a screwdriver or knife. They can scratch or crack your windshield. Do not pour hot water onto your car to melt the ice. This is a very bad idea and can cause your glass windows to crack or shatter.
Don’t forget the wiper blades: Do not forget your wiper blades. It is often a good idea to put them up the night before the cold weather drops to ensure that they do not freeze to the windshield. It is important to get the snow and ice off of the wipers before beginning to drive. If they are contaminated, it can lead to visibility concerns.
Preventative Measures: The easiest way to remove snow is to have no snow in the first place. We can not control the weather, but if possible one could park indoors or under a covering. However, this is not always available. If possible, you could park away from the wind or in a more sheltered location. They also make windshield coverings that can help quicken the snow removal process. It is also a good practice to always have a snow removal device in your vehicle, especially during the winter.
The snow can be beautiful, but it can also be cold and time-consuming. Following the tips above can hopefully assist you in making your vehicle snow cleaning smoother and less tiresome. Now that your vehicle is uncovered and ready to drive, drive safe. If you have any questions about driving in the winter or the snow look back at blogs from April or last winter, or comment them down below.