by John Funk
A car is an easier and reliable mode of transportation, without which your life can become even more hectic. Having your own mode of transportation helps you manage your personal and professional lives effectively. As a car owner, maintaining your car in a good condition is a huge challenge, especially during the winter season. Storing your car in a garage is one of the best methods of safeguarding your vehicle from harsh weather conditions, as it can keep your car warm and safe in the winter months.
If you do not have a garage or a building basement where you can park your car, then you will have to leave it outside. Small amounts of snow may not harm your car much, but when your vehicle is exposed to snowfall night after night, then it can begin to have detrimental effects on your car. Winter can wreak havoc on your car; however, you can prevent a large portion of the damage caused by snowfall by taking the necessary steps.
How to Protect Your Car from Snow Without a Garage
If you have purchased a car and do not know how to protect your car from snow without a garage, there is nothing to worry about. Let’s see some of the effective ways to protect your car from snow.
- Protect your windshield from cracking. Excess snow can cause your windshield to crack. As a car owner, you should be concerned about this and you should know how to protect your car's expensive windshield from snow. Covering the windows and windshield will not only prevent scratches but will also save you time that you will have to spend on removing snow from the windows and windshield every morning. If you don’t want to buy a cover, you can use cardboard to prevent scratches and also to keep moisture off the windshield.
- Provide proper maintenance to your car tires. During the winter season, make sure to check your tire pressure frequently as deflated wheels can give you less traction. Low temperatures can lead to low tire pressure. Reduction in tire pressure can damage your car and also endanger your life. Investing in quality snow tires is a smart decision as they can handle cold much better than standard rubber tires do. The significant advantage is that they will not stiffen the way rubber tires will.
- Check and replace your battery if needed. Freezing temperatures can reduce the pace of power-generating chemical reactions within your battery. Check your battery before it starts getting too cold and replace it if needed, as unhealthy batteries often fail to start.
- Protect your car’s paint. Along with ice, things like road salt, sleet, and dirt can also damage your car during winter. You may not know how to protect your car from snow and salt. Applying a wax or other paint sealant can protect your car’s paint and shield your vehicle from hazardous outdoor elements.
- Use antifreeze and distilled water. The viscosity of your oil can be affected in cold weather. Check whether all of your fluids, including brake fluids, are at the suggested amounts. Antifreeze and distilled water ensure that the coolant inside your radiator is appropriate and they also ensure that all of the fluids are at the proper levels.
- Keep your gas tank full. You can reduce the amount of condensation build-up by keeping your gas tank full, thereby preventing gas line freeze.
- Ensure that the seals are in working condition. Ice and water can get inside through a small crack or space, resulting in moisture formation. Ensure that the rubber seals on the outside are in working condition and also make sure that your car is totally sealed up to prevent moisture formation that can otherwise lead to mold, mildew, and rot.
- Use a car cover. Do car covers protect a car from snow? Yes, they do. A car cover is the simplest way of protecting your car from external damaging elements. A car cover is crucial not just for outdoor parking but also for indoor parking.
These points should have answered all of your questions, including: How to protect your car from snow without a garage. How to protect your car’s windshield from snow. How to protect your car from snow and salt.
Tips for Driving Your Car Safely in Winter Weather
Driving during the winter season can be stressful and tricky; however, you can still drive safely with some easy preparation tips.
- It is important to clean your car before driving it, as snow on windows and mirrors can block your view and can cause an accident. Make sure to wipe away all the snow on your windows, mirrors, and trunk using a snow brush.
- Slippery roads can cause your car to skid, so you need to drive your vehicle well below the speed limit.
- If you are following other vehicles, make sure to maintain a following distance of at least 5-6 seconds as it can take some time to stop on an icy road even if you are driving slowly.
- If you need to stop, apply gradual pressure to your brake pedal, as your vehicle can skid if you brake too hard on icy roads.
As a car owner, you should not only know how to protect your car from snow without a garage, but also how to drive carefully in winter without endangering your life.
How Do Car Covers Protect Your Car from Snow?
Using an adequate car cover is one of the best ways to protect your car from snow.
- A car cover can protect your tires and spark plugs from getting weakened by freezing temperatures.
- It can protect the windscreen from the regular scraping of snow that can otherwise cause scratches, and it can also prevent scratches, dings, and dents on the exterior part of your car.
- It keeps your car clean and ensures that your paint remains new for a longer period of time, thereby ensuring that its value depreciates much more slowly.
- A car cover ensures that the viscosity of the fluid does not increase and exceed the suggested level.
- A car cover is a must for indoor parking too, as it can prevent dust and dirt formation that can make the paint turn abrasive and cause minute scratches.
Why Choose Seal Skin’s Smartly Designed Car Covers?
We offer one of the best car covers for snow. When you invest in Seal Skin, here’s what you’ll get:
- Our car covers are durable and the multiple layers of our covers ensure complete protection of your car, even during harsh winter conditions.
- Our car covers are available in a variety of colors and sizes, so you can choose one based on your preference and need.
- We offer semi-custom-fit car covers that are cheaper when compared to custom covers. Our covers provide an ideally snug fit, unlike universal-fit covers that tend to be either overly large or undersized. The perfect fitting prevents snow or ice from getting formed at the bottom of your car, thereby preventing any kind of rust.
- The breathable characteristic of our car covers prevents mold and mildew build-up by allowing moisture to escape.
- The soft interior liner protects your car’s paint job against friction damage and scratches. The elastic band is designed in such a way that you can tighten the cover as much as you need.
Parking your car outdoors during cold winter nights can be dangerous, as you could have many unpleasant surprises when you get back to it the following morning. An effective car cover will not only protect your vehicle from harsh winter conditions but also from other destructive elements like bird droppings, tree sap, pollen, branches, and so on. Using a high-quality Seal Skin car cover is one of the best ways to protect your car from snow.
At Seal Skin, we offer a wide range of car covers and you can choose one based on your budget and need. You can call us at 800-915-0038 during our office hours (Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST) and we will help you find the right snow-resistant car cover that fits your needs and budget. We will also help you if you have any questions about our products, shipping policies, and exchange/refund policies.
FAQs
How do I keep snow off my car parked outside? ›
Buy a car cover
If you can't park under a roof, a water-resistant car cover is your best option. Water-resistant material is essential here if you don't want to trap moisture. Choose a cover that drapes over your entire vehicle from front to back.
Parking your car outside in cold weather may accelerate the rusting process on your brakes. While some amount of rust is unavoidable during the winter months (especially if you're driving down salted roads), you may reduce the amount of exposure to moisture your vehicle gets by keeping it parked inside.
Will a car cover protect from snow? ›Car covers will help to prevent paint damage to your vehicle as a result of ice, snow, and road salt. Keeping a car cover on will help to keep it warm, potentially protecting your engine from damage when you start the vehicle. A car cover will keep your windshield wipers from freezing and cracking.
What can I use instead of a garage? ›- Car Sheds. Sheds are the most common and popular alternative to garages. ...
- Carports. The second on our list of garage alternatives is a carport. ...
- Car Covers. ...
- Canopies. ...
- Awnings. ...
- Telescoping Tents. ...
- Quonset Huts. ...
- Portable Garage Kits.
Vehicle exteriors are kept in much better condition when stored in a garage which can lead to greater resale values. Because a garage keeps a vehicle warm, the fluid and oil are kept in a stable condition which leads to an engine that runs better than one that is kept outside.
How do you winterize a parked car? ›- Wash, clean, and dry your car.
- Plug air inlets and exhaust pipes with steel wool.
- Add fuel stabilizers, antifreeze, and check all fluids.
- Place battery on a auto shut-off trickle charger.
- Cover your vehicle.
- Place your vehicle in covered storage unit.
That snow that's piled up on the roof of your car (or any other surface of it) can pose a danger to other drivers if it happens to fly off.
Should I put a tarp on my car before snow? ›No one likes digging out the car after a storm, so if you have a moment before the snow starts, put a tarp or car cover down over your car. When the snow stops, one pull will leave your ride clean and snow-free.
How do I protect my car in extreme cold weather? ›- 1) Maintain Your Recommended Oil Change Schedule. ...
- 2) Watch Out For Your Battery. ...
- 3) Park in the Garage. ...
- 4) Keep an Eye on Tire Tire Pressure. ...
- 5) Check-in on Your Radiator, Belts, and Hoses. ...
- 6) Complete Tire Tread Checks. ...
- 7) Headlight Bulb Checks and Restoration Services.
Snow and ice can damage your car's windscreen or paintwork, so a winter car cover can help prolong your car's lifespan. Low temperatures can also damage engines and metalwork, but a winter car cover can prevent the vehicle from freezing over.
Is it safe to sleep in your car in the winter? ›
A car can protect you from the wind and snow, but it can still get as cold as a tent in the middle of the night. And because cold air is passing through on all sides of the car, it's especially important to insulate your sleeping situation. A warm-rated sleeping bag can make all the difference.
How do you survive living in your car in the winter? ›- Write down the address of where you are parked and keep it close at hand. ...
- Ensure your car is in decent running order before winter. ...
- Buy jumper cables (and make sure you know how to use them). ...
- Try to always have at least a half tank of gas.
As car covers, tarps don't fit the vehicle well and are not breathable. Wind can blow dust between the tarp and the vehicle, which can scratch the paint. Humidity can't escape the trap (see what I did there?), leading to mold and mildew inside and outside of the vehicle.
What is a cheap alternative to a garage? ›The most popular garage alternatives are carports, sheds, Quonset huts, awnings, and car covers.
Where to store things if you don't have a garage? ›Labeled shoe boxes or sturdy gift boxes are perfect for miscellaneous tools and hardware. Clear plastic boxes or stackable utility bins are also great solutions. And a basic pegboard with hooks for hanging tools is a good way to use vertical wall space. It also makes it easy to see everything.
Is garage warmer than outside in winter? ›Garages act as a nice buffer as far as temperature goes from the outdoors to inside your home. Garages should be warmer than outside, and, though they may not always be as warm as your home indoors, you should be able to go from your home to your garage to grab something without having to put on all your winter layers.
How do I protect my car in a parking lot? ›- Park far Away From the Entrance. If you are like most people, you don't get enough exercise. ...
- Be Careful When Pulling in and Out. ...
- Provide Other Vehicles With Ample Space. ...
- Park Away From Shopping Cart Corrals. ...
- Carefully Open Your Door.
Typically, your car can sit about four weeks to two months without driving before the battery dies. The reason your car can sit only for so long before it dies is the fact that your car battery is in use even when you're not behind the wheel.
How much gas should I leave in my car over winter? ›Keep Your Gas Tank at Least Half Full
Keep your vehicle's gas tank at least half full in the winter. The main reason is the weather. What happens in a heavy snowstorm as you're driving home from work? Traffic slows to a crawl.
Cars are designed to be driven, not to sit idle for months. When left unused, engine fluids start to break down, parts that aren't getting lubricated begin to corrode, and even worse, animals may move in, chewing on anything they can reach.
How often should you start a stored car in the winter? ›
Get someone to start the car every two weeks and drive it for about 15 minutes if possible. Driving the car periodically has several benefits. It will maintain the battery's charge, help the car "stretch its legs," and keep the engine and other components adequately lubricated.
Do you turn traction off in snow? ›It's important to keep traction control on 99% of the time when you're driving. However, there are some cases where the safety feature could do more harm than good. For example, it's better to keep it off if you get stuck in the mud, sand, or even snow.
How do you drive in snow with a normal car? ›Gently accelerate the vehicle using low revs and shift to a higher gear as quickly as possible. Keep your speed down, be aware of potential hazards, and give yourself enough time to brake and steer. To reduce the chances of the wheels slipping, use the second gear instead of the first gear.
Should I air down for driving in snow? ›Reducing air pressure will not give you more traction and your tires could become seriously underinflated, affecting steering. Keep in mind that every time the outside temperature drops 10 degrees, the tire air pressure goes down about one pound per square inch.
Why do people put their windshields up when it snows? ›Prevents damage to the wiper motor, should you turn on the ignition and have accidentally left the wipers on (and they're frozen to the windshield). Prevents damaging the rubber, when you have to chisel them away from the windshield. Makes clearing away snow and ice from the windshield easier.
How do you keep your car from skidding in the snow? ›Avoid or Go Easy on the Brakes!
If you go into a skid, avoid using the brakes or steering against the skid. Instead, immediately take your foot off the accelerator and steer in the direction the vehicle is sliding until you feel recovery of traction, then slowly straighten the wheels until you recover complete control.
Keep it warm overnight
Plugging your car's block heater in overnight. This will keep the coolant warm to aid engine startups and also help your car warm up a little quicker. Parking your car in a garage if possible. Even if it's uninsulated, it will stay warmer than sitting outside.
- Stay home. Only go out if necessary. ...
- Drive slowly. ...
- Accelerate and decelerate slowly. ...
- Increase your following distance to five to six seconds. ...
- Know your brakes. ...
- Don't stop if you can avoid it. ...
- Don't power up hills. ...
- Don't stop going up a hill.
Take these items inside. Musical Instruments – Extreme cold can wreak havoc on guitars, brass, woodwinds – just about any musical instrument. Bottled or canned soda – These will start to freeze, expand and potentially explode in your car. It's not a mess you want to clean up.
Should I put a blanket on my car? ›Most importantly, a blanket will provide much needed warmth for a stranded driver in cold weather. A blanket can also serve as a pad on which to lie if you need to get underneath your car to inspect damage or make a repair.
How do I prepare my car for ice? ›
- Check your tire tread. When getting your car ready for winter, be sure to inspect your tires for tread wear and rotate them during every oil change. ...
- Fill up your tires. ...
- Consider snow tires. ...
- Change your oil and antifreeze. ...
- Fix your heater. ...
- Inspect your battery.
Yes. Using a car cover will keep your vehicle much cleaner and save you a lot of time and money on washings. No matter where you live - any city or country - your car will get very dusty without a car cover, even in your garage. 2.
What to do if stranded in car in snow? ›- Stay in the vehicle! If you leave your vehicle, you will become disoriented quickly in wind-driven snow and cold. Run the motor about 10 minutes each hour for heat. ...
- Be visible to rescuers. Turn on the dome light at night when running the engine.
- Lock the doors and roll up the windows.
- Take your valuables inside/put them in the trunk or glove compartment.
- Park in your garage whenever possible.
- Use a locking gas cap to prevent gas siphoning.
- Never leave your keys in the ignition.
When at home keep your car key (and the spare) well away from the car. Put the keys in a screened or signal-blocking pouch, such as a Faraday Bag. Reprogramme your keys if you buy a second hand car. Turn off wireless signals on your fob when it's not being used.
Do carports protect cars? ›Not only can a carport protect your vehicle from wind, rain, snow, and UV rays, but it can also increase the value of your home and provide a versatile space for storage or other purposes. Let's take a closer look at the benefits of having a carport so that you can decide if it's the right choice for you.
How can I protect my car in storage? ›- Fill Up the Tank. When a gas tank is left empty, it can rust due to moisture. ...
- Change the Oil. ...
- Protect the Engine Cylinders. ...
- Maintain the Battery. ...
- Wrap the Wiper Blades. ...
- Plug the Exhaust Outlet. ...
- Elevate the Vehicle. ...
- Clean the Interior.
The key legal facts about blocked driveways
If a vehicle is parked on your driveway without your permission, they would be trespassing. As trespass is a civil and not criminal offence the police will not always get involved. They can send an officer to try and determine the owner of the vehicle and ask them to move.
- 1) Maintain Your Recommended Oil Change Schedule. ...
- 2) Watch Out For Your Battery. ...
- 3) Park in the Garage. ...
- 4) Keep an Eye on Tire Tire Pressure. ...
- 5) Check-in on Your Radiator, Belts, and Hoses. ...
- 6) Complete Tire Tread Checks. ...
- 7) Headlight Bulb Checks and Restoration Services.
Definitely. Prolonged sun exposure will damage your vehicle's paint, seats and dash more than virtually any other element. In order to preserve the value and condition of your vehicle, it is critical to use a car cover.
Where should I keep my car keys at night? ›
To prevent keyless car theft if you have a keyless entry car, we recommend storing your car key fob at night in a signal blocking pouch ( also known as a faraday pouch ) to stop your car key fob signal being received, also place your car keys far away from any doors and windows.
What are thieves looking for in cars? ›Thieves will steal anything valuable, but the most common items stolen from cars tend to be electronics, personal information, and accessories.
Do bollards prevent car theft? ›Put simply, yes. The bollard locks the car in place. Even with sophisticated relay theft enabling technology, the car could not be moved. For thieves this is the ultimate deterrent.
Can carports withstand snow? ›How much snow can carports hold? This is an important question since you definitely don't want your roof to collapse during or after a snow fall. Fortunately, most carport roofs can withstand up to 20 pounds PSF (per square foot) of snow fall.
Do carports keep snow out? ›Of course, simply having a carport roof will help keep away some of the snow, but you might still get accumulations under the carport if it is windy. With an enclosure, all the snow stays on the outside and you can simply get in your vehicle and drive off.
Does a carport keep snow off your car? ›This is why, if a garage is not available to protect your car from snow and ice, it is essential to park under a carport. Not only does this conserve the outside of your vehicle but it can also make your life much easier.