Winter Vehicle Preparations for Ice and Snow
As winter sets in, frost and iced over windows loom ahead. Scraping frost or ice from your windows is no fun, especially when you’re just getting started in the early morning and in a rush to get to work or school. Some drivers prepare for the frost and ice by placing cardboard boxes on their windshield. Over 60% of drivers park their cars in a garage overnight to prevent having to remove the ice or snow. Unfortunately, not all drivers have the luxury of covered parking. Even those who place their cars in a garage overnight more than likely will experience snow or ice while running errands. Removing ice and or snow in Nebraska can cause a “chill to the bone” quickly with our strong winds that literally feel like cutting ice. If the proper clothing is not worn while defrosting windows, one minute can feel like 15 minutes and there is a high chance of catching a cold. Today, our Great Plains Auto Body Emmet Street Team provides three tips to help in this icy season. Being prepared can help you cut down the time it will take to care for these common winter car scenarios.
How to defrost Windows?
Every vehicle will experience frosted windows in its lifetime. Drivers who pay attention to the weather can usually have the opportunity to prepare for the snow and icy conditions. We recommend spraying your windows with a mixture of 3 parts vinegar to 1 part water the evening before snow or ice is predicted. Vinegar contains an acid that raises the melting point of water, preventing it from freezing. Great Plains Auto Body Emmet Street recommends not driving a vehicle with frosted windows as it cause distractions leading to collision or auto repair due to a crash.
Tips: To remove sleet or ice, use a commercial product like Rain-X or similar on your car windows regularly. When starting your car, let it run for about ten minutes before turning on the heater.
What to do if your doors freeze?
Frozen doors are caused by water saturating their rubber gaskets (not the metal door parts), especially if they have breaks or tears. This can be prevented by prepping the gasket with an oil based cooking spray, silicon stray or other lubricant, then rubbing it in with a paper towel. Don’t forget the gaskets at the bottom of your windows.
How to treat frozen door locks?
Frozen door locks? Spray a good graphite lock lubricant into your door locks to keep them from freezing up. You can also de-ice your lock in seconds with a hand sanitizer. Simply put some gel on the key and the lock, and problem solved. A remote key-less car starter also works wonders to melt any ice that has formed in the locks or doors.
Great Plains Auto Body Emmet Street Tip of the Week: Don’t have any commercial window defoggers? Fog- Proof your windshield the evening before with shaving cream. Simply spread shaving cream evenly across your windshield, let sit for five minutes and wipe clean.
Conclusion: Contact Great Plains Auto Body on Emmet St. (402) 933-9600
Want more detailed information? Great Plains Auto Body is an independent, family owned and operated, collision repair facility providing auto body repair, frame repair, painting touch up and repair services for all makes and models of import and domestic cars. There are three locations; Omaha Metro (Grover St and Emmet St) and Council Bluffs, IA that provide Enterprise rental cars while your repairs are completed.
