Introducing the ultimate guide for surviving Canada’s harsh winter weather! Say goodbye to icy windshields, frozen locks, and slippery roads with our 14 car hacks that are nothing short of Shocking. From using kitty litter for added traction to shaving cream for defogged windows, these tips will make your winter driving experience a breeze. So grab a notebook and get ready to take some notes, because these car hacks are going to change the game. Trust us, you’ll wish you knew them sooner!
1. The Magic of Rugs and Windshields
When a storm hits, keep an old rug, carpet, or tarp in your trunk. You can use it to cover your windshield to prevent snow and ice from sticking. It can also be used for extra traction if you get stuck in the snow.
2. Door Mats as Traction: When Your Tires Just Can’t Cut It
If you’re stuck in a small snowbank and need more traction, use a piece of cardboard or your car’s floor mats under your tires. If all else fails, throw some kitty litter under the wheels for added grip.
3. Cooking Spray on Your Doors: Goodbye Sticky Locks
Don’t get stuck in a cold weather tug-of-war with your car door. Coat the outside rubber edges of the doors in cooking spray the night before a storm. The cooking spray acts as a lubricant, making it hard for ice to form.
4. Shaving Cream: The Windshield Wonder Cleaner
Say goodbye to foggy windows with shaving cream. Coat the inside of your car windows with a thin layer of the cream, which has the same active ingredients as defoggers, then wipe them clean. Now your windows won’t fog up while you’re driving
5. Kitty Litter: Your Trunk’s Best Friend
Want better traction on snowy roads? Keep a 20-pound bag of kitty litter in your trunk. This will add weight to your rear tires for improved grounding. Another option is to use a heavy bag of road salt.
6. Plastic Bags for Mirrors: No More Scraping and Scratching
Side mirrors can be a pain to keep clear of snow and ice, but plastic bags and rubber bands are the solution. Cover them in gallon-sized plastic bags and use rubber bands to protect them. Slip off the bags and admire your perfectly clear mirrors when you’re ready to drive.
7. Hand Sanitizer: The Key to Ice-Free Locks
Don’t get stuck with frozen car locks. Coat your keys in a little hand sanitizer to melt the ice within the locks quickly. Another option is to spray WD-40 on your locks to prevent ice from building up inside.
8. Sock It to ‘Em: How to Keep Your Wipers Ice-Free
Protect your windshield wipers from snow and ice with long socks. Before leaving your car parked for the night, cover your windshield wipers with long socks. This will prevent snow and ice from collecting on them, thus preventing them from freezing and sticking to the windshield.
9. The Cat’s Out of the Bag: De-Fogging with Litter
Foggy windows and mirrors can be a real nuisance, but with this hack, you can say goodbye to foggy reflections. Simply put some silica-based cat litter into a couple of socks and place them in your car. The litter will absorb the moisture that creates fog, leaving you with clear windows and mirrors.
10. Never Leave Liquids Inside The Car
Leaving liquids in your vehicle can create frost on the inside of your windows, which means you’ll spend more time getting your car in order before you can drive away. To avoid this, make sure to take all water bottles and beverages out of your car each day.
11. Ice-Proof Your Windshield
To prevent water from freezing on your windows overnight, fill a spray bottle with three parts vinegar and one part water. Shake the mixture well and spray it evenly on your car windows before it gets dark outside.
12. PARK YOUR CAR FACING EAST
To make it easier to scrape ice off your car, try to face the east when parking overnight. The sun, as it rises, will melt some of the snow.
13. Survival of the Fittest: How to Pack a Winter Emergency Kit
One of the unhappy truths of life in winter is that no matter how good a driver you are and how capable your vehicle is, there’s always a possibility that you’ll be stuck because of road closures, an accident or just really bad conditions. That’s why it’s important to have an emergency kit in your car. It can include any combination of warm clothes, hand and foot warmers, a blanket, a flashlight or candles for light (and heat in the case of candles), a charged battery pack for phones, bottled water and energy bars or other no-cook foods. Pack your chosen items in a bag or small tote and keep them in your car until spring rolls around.
14. Winter Headlight Hack: Shine Bright Like a Diamond
Don’t let dingy headlights ruin your winter driving experience. Save money by using toothpaste to clean your headlight covers. Simply apply toothpaste to the covers, wait a minute or two, then rinse with warm water. This trick removes the film that builds up on headlights and will leave them looking brand new. So grab a tube of toothpaste and let’s get those headlights shining bright like a diamond!
Bonus: 3 Shoveling Hacks to Make Your Life Easier This Winter
#1 Cooking Oil Spray: Make Your Shovel Slip-Proof
To make snow removal easier, coat your shovel with a light layer of nonstick cooking oil. This will make the snow slide off, saving you time and effort. You can also use a spray lubricant like WD-40, but keep in mind that it is toxic.
#2 DIY De-icing Mix: Salt and Vinegar Never Tasted So Good
To avoid the harsh effects of commercial deicers on the environment and your property, make your own deicer using rubbing alcohol or vinegar. This is an easy, cost-effective solution that also avoids the hassle of having to purchase deicers from the store. To use vinegar before a storm, mix 3 parts vinegar with 1 part water and spray or pour gently. To prevent icing after a storm, mix 2 parts rubbing alcohol with 1 part water and apply it to minimize runoff.
#3 Make Your Leaf Blower Do Double Duty
To avoid the harsh effects of commercial deicers on the environment and your property, make your own deicer using rubbing alcohol or vinegar. This is an easy, cost-effective solution that also avoids the hassle of having to purchase deicers from the store. To use vinegar before a storm, mix 3 parts vinegar with 1 part water and spray or pour gently. To prevent icing after a storm, mix 2 parts rubbing alcohol with 1 part water and apply it to minimize runoff.
And there you have it, folks, 14 winter car hacks that will make your life so much easier during the colder months. With these tips, you’ll be able to tackle even the toughest of snowstorms and icy roads with ease. So, put on your warmest mittens, grab your kitty litter, and get ready to become a winter driving pro!
