These Clever Winter Driving Hacks Will Help You Through the Winter

If you are like most people, then you know how much the winter weather can impact the roads, and getting to work will take that much longer. In addition to scraping snow and ice off your car, you will also need to give your vehicle time to warm up before you depart. Many people feel as though these problems are unavoidable during the winter months, but they are wrong. With a few tricks, you can make your morning commute a simple and easy task to complete. These tips will work wonders when it comes to reducing the stress of winter, and you will be impressed with the results.

Parking Position

When arriving home for the day, not many individuals pay attention to the location or position in which they park their cars. However, if you want to reduce the amount of snow and ice that will build up overnight, properly parking your car can make a huge difference.

When it is possible, ensure that your vehicle is in a spot that receives direct sunlight, but pointing your windshield east will take this tip to the next level. A lot of the ice and snow will melt away when the windshield is the first part of your car to receive sunlight.

A Little Waxing Goes a Long Way

Other than snow and ice, salt is an issue with which you should be concerned during winter weather if you care about the condition of your vehicle. Salt does a good job of removing snow and ice from the roads, making it safe to travel. Salt, however, can also corrode your vehicle, but you can take action to prevent this problem from occurring. Applying a light layer of wax will stop corrosion from taking place, but it will also go a long way when it comes to preventing ice from forming.

Add Weight for Traction

Every winter, many people have trouble maneuvering their vehicles on the cold and icy roads, and one wrong turn is all it takes for them to end up in the ditch. Some vehicles have better traction than others do, and understanding the reason for the enhanced handling will help you stay on the road.

Vehicles with front-wheel drive offer very good traction because the engine puts weight on the tires.

If you have a rear-wheel drive, consider adding some weight to the trunk when your goal is to lower your odds of getting stuck. A sandbag often does the trick.

Put Your Wipers Up

Winter weather can take a toll on your windshield wipers, causing them to freeze. Taking the ice off your car’s windshield wipers is not always easy, and doing so will require you to get up a little earlier in the morning.

Although allowing your wipers to freeze can cause a lot of damage, you will not need to worry about this situation if you put them up after you get home. As an added touch, try placing a pair of old socks on your wipers to prevent ice from accumulating.

You Still Have No Traction? Try Cat Litter

No matter how much weight you put in the trunk of your car, you won’t always get enough traction to get your vehicle off a patch of ice or a pile of snow. If you have a sandbag in the trunk already, use the sand to get extra traction. If you are a cat owner, borrow some cat litter from your four-legged companion and keep it in the trunk.

Should you be stuck on the road because of ice or snow, put the cat litter under your tires to get that extra traction that you need to be back on your way. Rather than procrastinating, commit to buying a bag the next time you are at the store because you never know when the next snowstorm will strike.

All-Weather Floor Mats

When the winter weather is at its worst, chunks of snow and ice can get stuck to the bottom of your shoes, and you will track the mess into your vehicle. If you would like to keep your car as clean as possible, using all-weather floor mats will get the job done. Also, keeping your old floor mats in the trunk will help when you need additional traction. Just put them under the wheel to get out of that icy patch.

Place a Sheet Over Your Windshield

Drivers often use a de-icer to remove snow and ice from the windshield each morning. It’s definitely faster than scraping the ice off, but it can still be time-consuming.

If you want to free your morning routine from the stress of winter, place a sheet over your windshield every night. Instead of building up on your windshield, the snow and ice will form on the sheet, and you can simply remove the sheet when you are ready to leave.

Fluid Film

Living in an area that causes your vehicle to rust quicker than usual (known as The Rust Belt) can be frustrating and annoying at times, and not everyone knows that they can work toward protecting their car or truck from the damage. You can apply Fluid Film to the underside of any vehicle to prevent the harsh weather conditions from causing corrosion. More and more drivers swear that this product provides them with an incredible level of protection, so you might want to try it for yourself if corrosion is a big worry.

Winter Wiper Blades

If you have regular wiper blades, there is a good chance that you will have to replace them after winter because they are easily damaged by snow and ice.

The good news is that you can buy wiper blades that are designed for use in the winter. In fact, you can even obtain heated wiper blades, but they will cost a pretty penny. In spite of the $140 price tag, drivers who have used heated blades say that they will never go back.

Final Thoughts

Even though winter weather will take a toll on every vehicle, having the right plan in mind will help you reduce the impact. Those who want to avoid running into trouble will reach their desired outcome by using these winter car hacks, helping them put their fears to rest. Which winter car hack do you use and find the most beneficial? Do you use any hacks that are not listed here?

The post These Clever Winter Driving Hacks Will Help You Through the Winter appeared first on Proctor Cars Magazine.