How to Get Your Car Out of the Snow: 8 Steps

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

In this article you will find precise instructions on how to extract your car from the accumulated snow after a snowstorm or a heavy snowfall. This is a demanding job, so knowing exactly what to do and what tools to use will be very helpful. And if you're not too keen on getting to work, at least consider the fact that it's the perfect physical activity to do in winter!

Steps

Step 1. Find your car

After a snowstorm it can be tricky to spot your car in a line of cars parked on the street or in a parking lot as they all look the same under the blanket of snow. Paying attention to remembering where you left your car can be very useful for finding it in the winter. Dig a passage in the snow to the car if you need it, because you will need a good, wide base to walk on to get it out of the snow. If you are at work or in a parking lot, wait for the rest area managers to clean the street.

• If you park close to home, try to leave your car as close to the road as possible so that you don't have to shovel snow from all over the garden to get it back on the road. This will also help you locate the car more easily.
• Be prepared. If you leave your car on a street where other cars are parked, leave a stick or pole next to your car beforehand to help you find it in the snow. You can also decorate the tip of your car's antenna with a special topper to make it more easily recognizable. These precautions are especially useful if you park your car away from home, such as when going to work or shopping.
• If you park in the garage, simply get a shovel and shovel snow from the entrance and driveway.

Step 2. Gather the necessary tools

You don't need a lot of tools, but you will need to be careful not to scratch the car as you clear it of snow. It often happens that you crawl your car while working with snow shovels, because it is easy to slip and it is not easy to understand where exactly the bodywork is under the snow until you have cleared enough of it.

• Use a soft-bristled broom to remove the bulk of the snow from the car. Do not use garden brooms or brooms to avoid crawling the car. Also get an ice scraper to clean the car windows.

  

• Another way to very gently remove the snow from the car is to help yourself with an old towel.

  

• Wear heavy clothing. Always wear gloves to prevent your hands from freezing and therefore having to stop work. Dress in layers, as you may need to take off your anorak if you get too hot after some time shoveling in the snow.

  

Step 3. Start shoveling to get your car out of the snow

This operation could take 5 minutes to an hour depending on your physical strength, the amount of snow that has accumulated and the outdoor temperature. With the help of one or two people, you will do it faster. Try to follow these steps:

• Start shoveling around the wheels and sides of the car, especially near the driver's door.

  

  A snow blower would be ideal for this and to get rid of any snow you have removed from the machine. Try not to throw the snow you remove from the car (and any object that may have gotten into it) on other machines or people and do not accumulate it where it can cause disturbance

• Remove the snow that you cleared from your car from the other cars and the pavement. It is very important to free your car from the snow trying not to cause problems for others.

  

• Completely clears the snow from the roof, windshield and hood of your car, preventing it from falling on the car and especially on the windshields of other motorists. If you don't get to the roof of the car, help yourself with a ladder and a broom to remove the snow that has accumulated on top of the car.

  

• Use a scraper to remove ice from the windshield, car windows and rear window and rear-view mirrors, and possibly also from the roof and hood. Do not pour hot water on the windshield because the thermal shock could crack the glass!

  

Step 4. When there is a very strong blizzard, snow risks getting into the engine as well

In this case, open the hood, remove the snow, dry the spark plug wires and leave the hood open to dry everything. Also check the nozzles on your windshield washer sprayers to make sure they are clean, as you may need to clean your windshield frequently in the colder months.

Step 5. If you don't have remote central locking, try to open the car lock with the key

If the locks aren't frozen, as soon as you get on board, start the engine and turn on the heater and defroster. By heating the car, the heat will melt the snow and ice on the car body while you continue to remove the snow. Make sure the tailpipe is clear of snow and that the car is outdoors before starting the engine - never when the car is inside an enclosed environment - because carbon monoxide build-up in the air is highly toxic.

• If the lock does not open, use the liquid defroster for locks, or, if you do not have the defroster available, wipe snow from another door and try to open another lock with the key.
• If you don't have a lock thaw, use a lighter or match to warm the key before inserting it into the lock. This should melt the ice in the lock; if necessary, repeat the operation several times.

Step 6. Remove snow from the tailpipe

The exhaust gases must be free to exit the tailpipe, otherwise they will accumulate inside the passenger compartment.

Step 7. If the wipers are frozen, carefully remove the ice

If the wipers were running when you turned off the car, and the wipers were not free to move when the car was started, the motor that drives them could be damaged.

Step 8. Start the car and start the heating and defroster

Wait a few minutes for the machine to warm up. You can finally get on board and drive safely.

Advice

• Try not to let snow accumulate on your car for days on end to make things easier when you go and take it out.
• In the event of a light snowfall, you can leave the car's windshield wipers up. This will make it easier to clear the windscreen and rear window from snow.
• In anticipation of a snowfall, you can prevent ice from forming on the windshield by covering it on the outside with a plastic sheet held in place by the windshield wipers. To prevent it from flying away in strong winds, you can secure the ends of the plastic sheet by closing them inside the front doors.
• Consider fitting chains to the wheels before the car is covered in snow. The chains will reduce the amount of work when you go to shovel the snow around the car. Be sure to remove the chains before driving on snow-free roads.
• In winter, the lock defroster should be stored at home, not in the car!
• If you live in an area that is frequently subject to snow, be prepared. If the snow is expected to be enough to completely cover the cars parked on the street, there is a risk that the snow blowers may not notice your car in the snow. In these cases, try to park the car in a sheltered place for the night.

Warnings

• Salt is corrosive. Do not throw salt on top of the car and avoid spreading an excessive amount around the car.
• In some countries it is illegal to travel in a car with snow accumulated on the roof. Even when it is not illegal, it is extremely dangerous and absolutely to be avoided. Furthermore, as the car heats up, the snow in contact with the roof will melt and risk ending up on the windshield in the event of braking.
• If your car locks are frozen, avoid forcing them so you don't have to go to a locksmith later.
• Be careful where you leave the snow you shovel, avoiding it accumulating around you or too close to the car. Try to store it a good distance from the car.
• Do not turn on the machine in the garage or other closed places. Clean the tailpipe as soon as possible. Do not start the car with people on board until you have removed all the snow from the exhaust pipe: the accumulation of carbon monoxide inside the cabin could be fatal.
• Be careful to approach the car body with the shovel. To avoid scratching it, it is safer to use a broom.