Living in the Northeast means getting hit with a snowstorm or two (or three or four…You get the idea). Once the streets are plowed and it’s safe to travel again, you’ll want to clear the snow before you hit the road. Leaving snow on your vehicle is dangerous as it can obscure your view, as well as break and slide off into traffic.
You might be thinking…how can I get snow off of my car without scratching it? Follow these tips to help ensure that snow removal is done safely to avoid any potential damage to your car.
Check Your Tools
Most of us have a windshield car brush tucked in our backseats or trunk. It’s actually not recommended to use one for your entire car as the bristles can be abrasive! Save this brush to use exclusively on your windows.
Instead, use a foam snow brush to gently remove the snow from the other surfaces like hood and roof. You might even find that using your hands (gloved up, of course) will work for what you can reach!
Will a Broom Scratch Car Paint?
Whatever you do, DON’T use a broom, shovel or anything abrasive! You might even want to double check that your gloves don’t have any metal or sharp plastic parts. All of these can leave scratches in the paint finish.
Work Your Way Down
Start on the roof and work your way down the windows to the hood and trunk. Once the snow is gone from the top portion of your car, start clearing it away from your wheels using a shovel.
Can I use a car cover?
Sure! You might get a little snow on you when you remove the cover, so make sure you’re dressed appropriately. The snow might make the cover too heavy to pull off, so keep our other tips handy.
Can You Use a Defroster to Clear Snow?
If you turn on the defrosters while there are still inches or feet of snow on your car, the snow will start to melt and become heavier. This will make your work harder. Wait to turn on your defrosters until you’ve removed most of the snow from your vehicle and (most importantly) cleared the snow away from your tailpipes. Don’t turn on your car if the tailpipes are blocked! This will cause carbon monoxide to build up inside your car.
If you need tips on how to defrost your windows, read our article here!
Once you’re on the road, keep an eye out for drivers with snow remaining on their vehicles. Keep your distance, as it can easily fly off and land in the road (making it slippery) or on your car (which can cause damage).
Amber Rolfe is a Marketing Associate at AAA Hudson Valley.
