Each year you promise yourself you are going to get your act together and prepare adequately for winter, and each time you fail for countless reasons. You’re always too busy and don’t have time. So today you’re going to find time after reading this article because there are lots of cheap and smart ways to protect your car and driveway from ice and snow. But before we proceed to driveway snow removal, let’s tackle the most common problems car owners have to face come wintertime.
Foggy Windshields
During winter season you constantly have to battle with fogged up windows and windshields which can be downright deadly especially when you have your family with you on the road. If you want to clear off the fog but hate the smudgy mess rags leave behind, use a chalkboard instead. You can also roll down your window briefly as this can easily defog them when the air gets inside.
Making Windshields Fog-proof
- Use shaving cream inside your car windows then wipe it off. It has plenty of the same ingredients that common defoggers have and leaves and extra layer of protection to keep off the fog.
- Open your windows before turning off the engine each night to let the cold air in.
- Utilize your AC because it’s one of the best defoggers you’ve got and its compressor will remove the humidity from the air.
The Magic of the Shoe Shock
Many people swear by the use of shoe shocks during winter so make sure you have a pair of these in your car. It’s a great investment and worth your every penny especially when you find yourself pushing your car over ice because this will give you the much needed traction you need which you can’t find in your regular shoes.
Alternative Covers for your Wiper
Keep a spare of socks in your glove compartment because these are great for covering your windshield wipers to keep the snow off especially at night. Raise them off from your windshield first them and come morning de-icing them will be a breeze.
Handling Icy Car Locks, Doors, and Handles
- Squirt some rubbing alcohol on your door or key and this will quickly melt the ice and unlock your door.
- You can also heat your car key with a lighter or match before pushing it through the lock to melt out the ice. Be careful not to hurt yourself as this can be hot.
No Ice Scraper? No Problem!
A lot of people find themselves with frozen car windows but don’t know what to do because they don’t have an ice scraper. No need to panic because you can easily remedy this with the use of a spatula if you’re home, and if you’re on the road, any plastic card you have in your wallet will do.
Utilize the World’s Cheapest Windshield Defroster
Make it a habit to park your car facing east so you won’t have a hard time defrosting your windshield in the morning. Make the sun your best friend so you don’t have to scrape all that ice in frozen weather by the time you wake up.
Keep your Headlights in Top Condition
No one can undermine the importance of headlights especially during the harsh winter months. Put some toothpaste on your headlights then wash it off with warm water. You’ll be surprised at how much the clarity of your headlights have improved and it is so much more cheaper than the ones they sell at the store for the same results.
Dealing with Frosty Mirrors
You can prevent your side mirrors from getting frozen by covering them with plastic zip locks at night to make them ice-free come morning.
Keep Your Undercarriage Clean
It is important to clean your car on a regular basis but more so in winter as de-icing products can damage your car especially when there is prolonged exposure. In order to remove all that ice, salt and dirt that has accumulated underneath the car, turn on your lawn sprinkler and drive over it several times. Before you know it your undercarriage will be squeaky clean.
Now that we’ve tackled some pretty clever and cheap ideas on how to keep your car snow-free, it’s time we give the same attention to your driveway. For those dealing with this for the first time you might want to consult a driveway snow removal contractor as driveway snow removal can be quite challenging. But for those who wish to try their luck on their own, here are some tips and safety measures to consider making life easier for you.
For those who have their own equipment such as chain saw, snow blower, or generator, it is important that you consult your operator’s manual because itwill tell you the kind of fuels that can be used in order to keep it in good working condition. Never use non-approved fuel in your equipment because this can negatively impact its longevity and performance and may eventually damage the engine in the long run.
If you’re not going to use your equipment within the next thirty days, drain your gas tank because when left in the fuel system it will start to deteriorate which can cause running or starting problems and even damage your fuel system.
The best practices for removing snow in your driveway really depends on your location and the amount of snow you are dealing with. Do not wait at the last minute before calling the pros if you wish for them to plow the driveway and shovel the sidewalks because by that time their schedule may be full and price ranges can go up depending on the size of your property and the amount of snow that needs to be removed.
For those who want to do this all by themselves to pump up some muscles, there are some safety tips to remember. If you expect high accumulations to come, remove small quantities of snow then keep repeating it because this is fairly easier compared to removing large quantities all at once. If that’s impossible to do, then you must remove these snow in layers and do not wait until foot traffic and vehicles pack it down.
Never ever use ice picks or other sharp materials on your driveway because these can cause severe damage to your surfaces. The best thing to do is purchase a good quality snow blower that will be a great help to you and your family in the years to come.
Respect your neighbors when you’re doing the shoveling and make sure you don’t pile up all that snow in their property! Nor should you throw it down on the street because this will create a driving hazard.
Finally, make sure your deicing products have the least harmful effects to you, your property and the environment. Also consider using diy deicing products because not only are they cheap, but far more safe as well. Happy winter!
