How to Protect Your Car From Snow Without a Garage: Tips Guide (2023)

FAQs

How can I protect my car from snow without a garage? ›

A car cover can serve as shelter from the elements when you have no garage. A car cover also acts as a barrier against dirt and debris that can cause scrapes and weak spots in your car's paint. Car covers can help save you time by eliminating the need to sweep off snow or scrape ice off the windows.

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.

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.

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.

Liquids expand when they freeze, which can lead to a big mess. That is why it's important to avoid leaving bottled water, fruit juice, pops and beer in the car when you get back from the grocery store. Pressurized cans could explode if exposed to extreme temperatures.

How do you keep your car safe on the street? ›

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.

If a car is parked on my driveway, can I block them in? If someone has parked on your driveway and you were to block them in, your vehicle may be causing an obstruction to the public highway and this is a criminal offence. The owner of the vehicle could therefore call the police.

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.

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.

It's important to brush and clear the snow off your entire vehicle, including your roof, windows, headlights, and hood. Leaving snow or ice on top of your vehicle is extremely dangerous to other drivers on the road. Snow and ice flying from other vehicles can cause accidents and even damage other cars.

Snow socks (also known as tire socks or auto socks) are textile devices that wrap around the tires of a vehicle in order to increase traction on snow and ice. They are normally composed of a woven fabric with an elastomer attached to the inner edge.

"For car covers used outdoors, the best material is synthetic fabric of multiple layers, such as solution-dyed polyester and acrylic microfibers, which can be just as soft as cotton but also provide natural ultraviolet light and mildew resistance and water repellency."

What size tarp will cover a car? ›

12X16 Waterproof Multi-Purpose Poly Tarp – Blue Tarpaulin Protector for Cars, Boats, Construction Contractors, Campers, and Emergency Shelter.

An indoor car dust cover is the best to use, they are inexpesive and will keep your car cleaner than a sheet. A good all cotton bed sheet won`t harm the car any but won`t do a lot toward dust protection, they breath too much.

Car mats (made of rubber), blankets or towels, or cardboard can all be used as a cover. They won't cover all of your windshield, but they will at least save you some work in the morning.

Driving in deep snow won't only leave you stranded, it can cause damage to your car. Like puddles, you never know what's lurking beneath. Packed snow containing road salt can get into places under your car causing rust. Deep snow can also damage your exhaust system.

Increase Following Distance

The normal following distance rule of three seconds should become six to eight seconds in wet and snowy weather. This will make it easier to stop if you need more time.

How fast should I drive in snow? If you have to drive in snow and ice, reduce your speed by half. For example, if you normally drive 60 miles per hour on a highway, reduce your speed to 30 miles per hour.

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.

The Rocking Technique

If you don't have chains, and your vehicle is moving forward some but then stopping, try “rocking” back and forth between forward and reverse gears. Give it a little gas just as the vehicle starts to swing forward out of reverse. This may give you enough momentum to drive out.

What are the three key elements to safe winter driving? ›

The three P's of Safe Winter Driving: PREPARE for the trip; PROTECT yourself; and PREVENT crashes on the road.

Where you live should determine the type of drivetrain you look for in a vehicle. If you live in an area with heavy snowfall, the best option will be AWD or 4WD coupled with good winter tires. City/Suburban driving with moderate snow and ice – FWD or RWD with winter tires will suffice.

In a pinch, you can even use a regular blanket. Be sure to place the blanket on your battery as soon as you turn off your engine, as this will help retain the heat given off by your engine. Another important thing to remember is to be sure and remove the blanket before the next time you start your engine.

Dress in several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing instead of a single heavy layer. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Wear a hat, mittens (not gloves), and sturdy waterproof boots to protect your arms, legs, hands and feet. Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.

Blanket, gloves and hat.

For heat, AAA recommends running the car for about 10 minutes every hour but keeping it off the rest of the time to avoid running out of gas. Make sure the exhaust pipe is clear of snow and ice when the car is running to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

Different types of food can be left in different temperature differences. A good number of refrigerated food can be kept between 34-39°F. Foods kept in the freezer can be in the vehicle when the temperature dips around 0°F. Beverages, on the other hand, should be kept around 30°F, especially soda.

When water freezes, it expands. So, if you have a bottle of wine or can of soda, beer or other water-based liquid in your car it can explode, leaving you a sticky mess. Water and diet soda freeze at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Regular sodas (with sugar) freeze at about 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

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.

Should you cover your car when it snows? ›

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.

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.

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.

Cover your car with a tarp.

For my mother who lives in Maine, in a home without a garage, the tarp becomes a makeshift carport when it snows. She covers her car with a tarp before the snow starts falling, so clearing her car of snow afterwards is a snap—just pull off the tarp!

Even when the weight of snow isn't enough to crush it, snow can damage your car and its body when it isn't cleared soon. Salt and chemicals from the roads can mix with the snow sitting on top of your car, and this could end up corroding the finish and the paint of your car.