How to Get Snow & Ice Off Your Car

Winter is quickly approaching, and that means chilly temperatures and snowfall in many parts of the country. While snow can be beautiful and put you in the holiday spirit, it also can be a hazard for drivers on the road. Even though it might be a pain to take the extra couple of minutes to clean ice and snow off of your car thoroughly, it is vital to your safety and other drivers. So follow these tips below for getting your vehicle out of icy situations this winter. 

How To Get Your Car Out of Snow

The first step to ensuring your car is clear of snow is to ensure you aren’t snowed in! Depending on your situation, you may be parked on the street where snow is packed tight from snowplows, or you might be parked in your driveway with room to shovel the snow away. 

If you are parked on the street, always be aware of your surroundings while shoveling snow away from your car. Don’t push the snow where it could be hazardous to other drivers, and take extra care. 

Regardless of where your car is parked (street or driveway), below are some tips when digging your car out of snow:

• Clear snow off the top of your vehicle in addition to around it - you don’t want snow on your car while you drive

• Start your car while doing this if possible - this will help warm up your vehicle to make removing snow easier

• Invest in a good snow shovel, and ice scraper won’t do much to get piles of snow away from your car

• Take extra care to remove snow surrounding your car’s wheels - it could get stuck otherwise and take longer to get out 

• Remove snow you are shoveling to grass and other areas cars or people won’t run into it 

• If you are really in a pinch, use some snow chains to help your tires gain traction

How to Get Snow Off Your Car

As we mentioned earlier, getting snow off your car is important to safety - and half the battle of getting your vehicle freed from snow. If you don’t correctly remove snow from your vehicle before driving, it can slide off your car while moving and be a danger to other people on the road. It can also be dangerous to you as a driver, potentially obscuring your view from the windshield. In some states, you can even encounter fines for driving with snow on your car because of the threat it poses. 

The first step to removing snow from your car is to start it (if you can with a remote start). This will ensure your vehicle is warm once you get in to drive, but it will also allow for some of that ice and snow to begin melting on the car’s exterior. Like how blasting the heat can remove ice on your windshield, it can also help melt snow. 

However, that won't take care of everything, so be sure you have the right tools for the job. Make sure you are dressed warmly and have something to remove the snow. We recommend an ice scraper/snow brush combo so that you can tackle both snow and ice. These also tend to have a longer handle so that you can reach your car’s roofs and other spots.  If you don’t have a snow brush, don’t worry. A regular household broom will allow you to push snow off most parts of your car with no trouble. 

How to Protect Your Car From Snow Without a Garage

The best way to protect your car from snow and ice is to prevent that from happening in the first place! While a garage is an optimal solution for this, it isn’t possible for everyone. However, there are some solutions that can help. 

First, look for other ways to cover the car. Temporary car shelters are a great solution but can be a bit pricey. Alternatively, you can get a car cover as well. Both of these are multi-purpose, protecting your car in the summer from heat or other weather conditions. 

If you want something a bit simpler, a windshield cover is the way to go. These are affordable, easy to place on your car and make the easier part of clearing your car easier. 

If you don’t have anything to cover the car, make sure to leave your windshield wipers up when you know snow is coming - this prevents them from getting damaged and will make the snow/ice removal process easier. 

How to Get Ice Off Your Car

While snow can be annoying to get off of your car, ice can be an even bigger pain. To drive safely, remove ice from all the windows and mirrors on your vehicle. 

Just like removing snow from your car, starting your car with a remote can significantly aid in eliminating ice, as well. Start your car a couple of minutes before you intend to start driving, and let the engine and hot air begin to defrost your windshield. During the icy season, be sure to set your air to hot and settings to defrost every time you leave your car - that way you start your vehicle remotely it is already good to go. This will make sure most if not all of the ice is off your windshield. 

If you’re in a time pinch and don’t have the time to wait for your car to defrost, another solution is to use an ice scraper with the help of a water/alcohol solution. Mix two parts rubbing alcohol and one part water into a spray bottle and spray directly onto the ice on your windshield. This will help to break down the ice and make scraping much easier.

How to De-Ice a Car Door

Some parts of your car are trickier to de-ice than others, like your car door. Below are some methods for unfreezing your car door if it gets frozen shut.

• Push and Pull - This is the first and easiest step you should take, simply push and pull on your car door several times to try and loosen up any ice within your car

• Pour Lukewarm Water Over It - By pouring lukewarm water over your car door, it can help break up and melt some of the ice. Do NOT use hot water, however, as the sudden change in temperature can crack your window or damage your car’s paint

• Use Hot Air - Using a hairdryer to warm up your car’s door frame is another option, but keep in mind you will need access to an outlet nearby for your hairdryer

What Can I Use to Scrape Ice Off My Car?

While we recommend an ice scraper as your first tool in ice-scraping, sometimes we don’t have that available. Maybe it is the first snow of the season, and you forgot to toss it in your car, or you just don’t have one yet. Here are some quick alternatives:

• Start Your Car - this is the best way to remove ice from your windshield. Start your defrosters, and then the ice will come off much easier!

• Alcohol & Water Spray - We mentioned this above, but two parts alcohol with 1 part water solution can break down ice, making it easier to scrape. 

• Credit Cards or Gift Cards - If you don’t have other options, a credit card or gift card is something most people have on them at all times that can be used to scrape ice. 

Prep for the Snowy Season with Highland Tire

Now that your car is clear of ice and snow make sure it is fully prepped for the snowy season with new tires from Highland Tire. From snow tires to year-round, we have options for everyone. 

Check out our other tips for prepping your car for winter and keeping safe this snowy holiday season.