24 Essential Winter Car Hacks

You can never know for certain just what an Irish winter has in store. The one thing we can say for sure is that Winter driving is always challenging in some way or another. Don’t worry, the Autoglass® blog is on hand with a few invaluably helpful, clever tricks to keep your car running smoothly and make your journeys safer this wintertime. Take a look below and get familiar with these 24 essential winter car hacks to tackle the Irish winter with ease.

1. DIY Car Glass De-icer Fluid

During the winter, it is always wise to keep some de-icing fluid in your car at all times. It’s simple to make your own DIY de-icer at home. All you need to do is Mix 3 parts water with 1 part white vinegar to create a quick and effective de-icer spray. This solution works wonders on frosty windshields and saves you from the morning scrape routine.

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2. Keep a Bag of Cat Litter in Your Trunk

A bag of cat litter adds weight to your car’s rear end, improving traction in snowy conditions. If you get stuck, sprinkle the litter around your tires for added grip to help you get moving again.

3. Cover Your Windscreen with Refuse Sacks or an Old Sheet

Place a refuse sack or an old sheet over your windshield at night to prevent frost build-up. This easy step saves precious time on chilly mornings by drastically reducing the need for any scraping.

4. De-Ice Your Car Locks with Hand Sanitizer

Car locks feeling a little icy? Hand sanitizer’s alcohol content can quickly melt ice in frozen locks. Apply a small amount to your key and gently work it into the lock to get things moving.

5. Use a Rubber Band to Keep Your Wiper Blades off the Windshield

Wrap a rubber band around each wiper blade to hold it slightly off the windshield overnight. This prevents the rubber from freezing to the glass, prolonging the life of your wipers.

6. Winterize Your Car with a Full Gas Tank

During the winter, be sure to keep your fuel tank at least half full in order to prevent condensation, which can freeze in cold weather and cause fuel line problems. It’s a small step that protects the inner workings of your car and ensures reliability on frigid winter mornings.

7. Check Your Battery Health

Cold temperatures can sap your car battery’s power. Be sure to test your battery regularly during the winter months and clean the terminals to ensure it’s in good shape and functioning as it should.

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8. Use Plastic Bags on the Side Mirrors

Slip plastic bags over your side mirrors and secure them with elastic bands to keep frost, ice, and snow from accumulating. Simply remove the bags in the morning for clean, frost and ice free mirrors.

9. Use a Fabric Softener Sheet to Prevent Fogged Windows

Rubbing a fabric softener sheet on the inside of your windows to creates an invisible film that reduces fog build-up. It might sound unusual, but this simple trick will do wonders for your visibility in cold, damp weather.

10. Apply Cooking Spray to Your Door Seals

One of the more unusual sounding winter car hacks that also works a treat; try spraying a light layer of cooking spray on your car’s door seals to keep them flexible and prevent freezing. Wipe off any excess to avoid leaving a greasy mess.

11. Use Old Socks to Cover Your Side Mirrors

Old socks are a cost effective, quick and environmentally friendly alternative to plastic bags. Slide them over your side mirrors at night to protect your mirrors from becoming covered in frost and ice.

12. Plan Extra Travel Time

Winter conditions can drastically slow your progress on the road. If you have to travel in wintery conditions, try to plan ahead and leave extra time for your journey. Rushing on icy roads is dangerous; taking it slow is always safer.

How to Drive Safe on Icy Roads >>

13. Install Rubber Floor Mats for Winter Weather

When you feel the weather getting cooler, replace your carpet mats with rubber ones to make clean-up easier. Rubber mats are great for dealing with slush and snow, keeping your car interior dry and clean.

14. Clear Snow from Your Roof and Bonnet with a Sweeping Brush

Before driving, use a soft sweeping brush to remove snow from your car’s roof and bonnet. This prevents snow from sliding onto your windshield or falling in the path of drivers behind you.

15. Keep an Emergency Kit in Your Car

Pack essentials like a warm blanket, flashlight, first aid kit, snacks, and water. In an emergency or breakdown, these items could be lifesavers should the worst happen and you find yourself stranded on a cold winter night.

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16. Use a Heated Seat Cushion

If your car lacks heated seats, invest in a heated seat cushion.

17. Check Tire Pressure Regularly

Cold weather can cause tire pressure to drop suddenly and dramatically, which can impact your car’s handling and fuel efficiency. During the winter, check your tire pressure weekly and top it up as required.

18. Use Shaving Foam to Prevent Fogging

Spread a thin layer of shaving foam on your windshield and wipe it off with a dry cloth. The residue creates an anti-fog barrier, keeping your windows clear.

19. Use Toothpaste to Brighten Your Headlights

Here’s another unexpected use for something you likely already have at home – toothpaste. Apply a small amount of toothpaste to a soft cloth and rub it onto your headlights in circular motions. Once you rinse the toothpaste off, any existing haze should be removed and you should notice that your night-time visibility is greatly improved.

20. Use a Strip of Cardboard for Traction

Keep a thick strip of cardboard in your car during the winter months. If your wheels get stuck in snow, place the strip of cardboard under the tire to provide extra grip. This handy trick is great for gaining traction in a pinch.

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21. Hot Water in a Zip Lock Bag for Frosted Glass

Fill a sturdy zip lock bag with warm water (not boiling) and rub it across your frozen over glass. The zip lock bag trick is a particularly quick and easy way to melt ice without the risk of cracking your windshield.

22. Leave a Sock Filled with Cat Litter on Your Dash

If you fill a sock with cat litter and leave it on your dashboard overnight you will find that it absorbs moisture in your car overnight. This helps reduce interior fogging and keeps your windows clearer.

23. Park Facing East

Sometimes the simplest winter car hacks are the most effective! Whenever possible, try your best to park your car facing east overnight. The rising sun can help defrost your windshield naturally, reducing the need to resort to any of our other defrosting or demisting tips

24. Check Your Tire Tread Depth with a €1 Coin

Believe it or not, the spare change in your pocket can be an invaluable tool for testing the safety of frosty tires. Insert a €1 coin into the grooves of your tire tread. If the gold edge is visible, your tires may not have enough tread depth for safe winter driving. Replace them if needed.

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With these winter car hacks, you can tackle winter weather with confidence. From preventing frost build-up to staying safe in emergencies, we hope you are feeling ready for whatever the winter months throw at you. Wrap up warm, stay safe and check the Autoglass® blog again soon for more tips, explainers and guides just like this one.