6 Tips for Cold Weather Driving

Dec 22, 2017

cold weather driving

For a lot of people, Winter can be the most unbearable time of the year. Unfortunately, this hatred of the cold can mean a miserable morning commute for many. On the bright side, there are plenty of ways to brighten (and warm) up your car rides this season. These tiny tricks will make riding in winter a lot more tolerable.

1. Start Your Engines

cold weather driving

Set an alarm to go off 15 minutes before you have to leave. This will alert you to start your car. Make sure to turn on your defrosters. This will help melt ice to make windshield scraping easier, and give you a cozy, warm car to enter. You might also want to invest in a remote car starter, allowing you to start your car without stepping foot outdoors. Just keep in mind never to start your car and keep it running if it’s parked in the garage! Either way you choose, this trick will save you 15 extra minutes of sitting in a cold car.

2. Close Shave

Shaving cream is your new best friend this winter. Spread it on the inside of your windshield, then wipe it off. This will leave a layer that will keep your windshield from fogging. Another route is to invest in windshield protection that will insure your windshield. Ask your dealer for a quote. It’s a time saver and a great safety precaution.

3. Rock Some Socks

To keep your windshield wipers from freezing to your windshield and risking the loss of a wiper, place socks over them each night. This seems a little silly, but it will give you the added protection your wipers need.

4. Make it Smooth

Before a freeze, spray WD-40, or even cooking spray, on keyholes and door cracks. The spray creates an anti-freeze layer, which means no more hard-to-open frozen doors or getting locked out of your car. A remote starter or keyless entry product will also keep you from having to deal with pesky frozen locks. Your dealer can give you a quote, and save you the hassle.

5. Prepare a Kit

A winter car kit will not only be entirely helpful during an accident or winter emergency, but can help make things a little better during those brutally cold mornings. Include things like an extra jacket, a blanket, hand warmers, and wool socks. Remembering you have an extra layer to pop on during your early morning drive will set a better tone for the entire day.

6. Invest in Gloves

A good pair of driving gloves are perfect for the many who aren’t fortunate enough to have a heated steering wheel. There are plenty of different styles to choose from, just make sure they’re warm and have a good grip.