Snowy Cars Are Road Hazards
In January, a snowstorm blanketed much of the United States in snow and ice. The storm extended over 1,300 miles from the Great Plains to New England leading to halted traffic, cancelled flights, bitter cold from Montana to the Florida panhandle and over 800,000 homes without power.[1]
The storm also led to deep snow in many places and icy roads in others. For people who park their cars outside, this can mean snow and ice buildup on the vehicle. Once the roads are safe to drive, it can be tempting to skip snow and ice removal or do the bare minimum, but that can lead to legal consequences and create hazards on the road.
In this article, we’re covering how to remove snow and ice from your car the right way and why you shouldn’t cut corners.
Preventing Ice and Snow Build Up
Of course, you can prevent all (or some) of the work above with a few ounces of preparation. Snowstorms usually come with some warning, so get to work before the storm to avoid spending your morning removing ice.
Parking in a garage or carport is obviously the most foolproof method; however, that option isn’t available to everyone. Even if you have no choice but to park on the street or in uncovered parking, there are steps you can take.
1. Cover your windshield.
You can buy windshield covers at most auto parts stores. You can also use a tarp or even a large towel or old sheet to place over the windshields and prevent ice formation. Hold the cover in place using the wiper blades to keep it from getting blown off. This method works best if light or no snow is forecast as heavy snow can make the cover difficult to remove.
2. Treat your windshield.
You can also buy commercial spray-on ice shield products to pretreat the windshield and prevent ice formation.
3. Lift wipers and lubricate door seals.
Lifting your wiper blades keeps them from freezing to the windshield. You can also spray silicone spray on your door seals to keep them from sealing shut.
4. Make sure your gas tank is full.
Stormy weather or traffic delays can force you to change routes, so you want to make sure you have the fuel to adapt. Additionally a fuller gas tank will help prevent your car’s gas line from freezing.
Will Car Insurance Cover Damage Caused from Ice?
The chance of an accident increases on icy roads. Additionally snow and ice can cause damage to your vehicle by causing falling branches or from the weight of the snow itself. Will insurance cover the damages?
Wrapping Up
Preparing your car before the storm is the best way to save yourself time and headaches later. However, if you have an ice and snow-covered car, taking the time to safely remove the accumulation will make for safer driving for you and all the other drivers on the road.
And remember: Even if your car is road ready…the roads might not be ready for it. This is particularly true in places where icy weather is not the norm and there is no infrastructure for clearing or de-icing roads. Pay attention to the news and local bulletins to know when it is safe to drive.