Best Way to Clean Snow Off Your Car: A Step-by-Step Guide
December 4th, 2020 by Fix Auto USA
Snow on your car is one of the last things you want to see after a winter storm. But if you know how to properly clean snow off your car, you can quickly and efficiently remove snow from your vehicle so you can get on the road quickly. Most importantly, clearing snow off all areas of your car will help you see the road clearly and minimize your risk of a collision.
How to Get Snow Off a Car Fast
If you find snow on your car, don’t panic. Instead, follow these steps to remove snow effectively:
1. Check the Tailpipe
Walk to the back of your car and ensure there is no snow clogging the tailpipe. Snow covering the tailpipe can cause carbon monoxide to build up in your car, so you should remove this snow right away.
2. Warm Up Your Car
Turn on your car and activate your vehicle’s defroster. It typically takes about five minutes for your car to warm up. In the meantime, you can use this time to walk around your vehicle and remove snow from the roof, hood, and trunk lid.
3. Clear Snow from the Windows
Wipe snow from your car’s rear and side windows first. Then, remove snow from your windshield. By waiting to remove snow from your windshield, you can give your defroster as much time as possible to melt any ice that has built up. Don’t forget to remove snow from your rear-view mirrors, headlights, taillights, and turn signals, too.
4. Clear Snow from the Wipers
Remove snow from your car’s windshield wiper blades and dry the blades. Also, check the wiper fluid nozzle and clear snow from it. Test the wiper blades after you remove snow from them. If you find the wiper blades are malfunctioning, replace them immediately.
Now that you know how to clean snow off a car, you should follow this process any time you find snow on your vehicle. That way, you can clear snow off all areas of your car and ensure it doesn’t hamper your ability to drive safely.
What Tools Do You Need to Remove Snow on a Car?
A snow brush with plastic bristles is a must-have for car owners, regardless of the type of vehicle they drive. This brush makes it easy to remove light, fluffy snow from windows.
Along with a snow brush, it may be beneficial to pick up a push broom for your car. A push broom can help you quickly remove heavy snow from your car.
An ice scraper is essential for winter driving, too. The scraper enables you to remove ice from your car’s windows.
You should never use a shovel to remove snow from your car. A shovel is a great option to remove snow from around your car, but using the shovel to clear snow from your vehicle may cause scratches and other exterior damage.
Tips to Limit Snow Buildup on Your Car
Whenever possible, park your car in a garage or under an overhang, particularly in winter. Parking in a garage or under an overhang prevents or limits snow accumulation on your car.
You can also place a snow blanket on your car’s roof, windshield, and hood during winter. A snow blanket won’t stop snow from accumulating on your car; however, you can instantly pull the blanket to remove snow from your vehicle.
It’s important to remove all snow from your car before you drive. Even a small amount of snow can impact your car’s performance and contribute to a collision. Yet, if you work diligently to remove snow from your car, you are well-equipped to maintain clear visibility on the road.
If you are involved in a winter collision that results in damage to your car’s bumper, fender, or other exterior components, try not to stress. Fix Auto can help you fix or replace any exterior components that were damaged during the collision. To learn more about our collision repair services or to request an appointment, please contact us online or call us today at 800.INFO.FIX.
This blog post was contributed by Fix Auto South San Jose, a leading industry expert and collision repair shop servicing South San Jose.
