Car Care Shortcuts Everyone Should Know
By Mavis Tire Team
Published 03/13/2025
Winter weather can be a problem in certain areas. Even if you are in a location that doesn't get hit hard by winter weather, it is important to know some of these winter car care shortcuts for when you eventually visit colder areas. Here are some tips that will help keep you safe and make your life a lot easier in the winter:
Get Traction When You're Stuck in the Snow
If you are stuck in the snow and can't seem to get enough traction to get out, there are a couple of ways that you might be able to get yourself unstuck. One way is to take out your car mats and place them underneath the tires. Another helpful hint for this winter is to keep a bag of sand in your car and spread it on icy roads or snow when your tires can't seem to gain traction. A trick that some people use is to place socks inside your glovebox to put over your shoes in case you need extra traction in the event you have to push your car out of the snow.
Use a Penny to See if Your Tires Are Ready for Winter
During the winter, we need proper tread on our tires more than ever. You can see how worn out the tread is on your tires by taking a penny and placing it in between the ridges of each tire. Make sure that the penny is turned so that Abe Lincoln's head is pointing down toward the tread. If you can see his entire head, it is time to replace your tires. You can save money and get quality tires at your local .
Deicing Your Car
For those of us who don't have garages, freezing doors and windows can be a problem. There are a few ways to combat this. One is to park your car facing east so that the morning sun can help warm up your car and melt some ice. Another car deicing hack involves spraying some WD-40 in the cracks of your car doors so that they will open up for you more easily. Lastly, you can make your own deicer in a couple of ways. One way is to fill a water bottle up 1/3 of the way with water and fill the rest with isopropyl alcohol and shake it up. Another recipe involves mixing three parts vinegar and one part water in a water bottle.
Preventing Ice from Forming
If you don't have a garage and want to prevent ice from forming altogether, you can always place a tarp or bedsheet on the front of your car windshield. In addition, filling a sock with kitty litter and leaving it in your car overnight can help suck the moisture out of the air and prevent fogging. Another useful car hack is to place socks over your wiper blades overnight so that they don't stick to your windshield in the morning.
Increase Your Visibility
Visibility is crucial when it comes to the gloomy winter days. One way to increase your visibility is to clean your headlights with toothpaste. It may sound odd, but all you need are some old towels, toothpaste, and water for rinsing. Follow this guide for how to clean your headlights with these ingredients. Another way to increase your visibility is to check your car manual and replace your windshield wipers regularly. Windshield wiper blades tend to lose their power after six months or so, and they can make a huge difference in your visibility.
Winter Emergencies
Keeping a winter emergency kit in your car could potentially save your life or make dealing with an emergency a lot easier for you. In addition to a basic first aid kit, consider packing your winter emergency kit with the following items:
Non-perishable food
Flashlight
Cell phone charger
Ice scraper
Small shovel
Jumper cables
Tire chains
Kitty litter/sand
Flares to signal for help
Stay Safe on the Road This Winter
No matter where you are going this holiday season, it is important for you to be aware of these winter safety tips so that you and your family can stay safe when you decide to visit colder areas. Whether you are enjoying sunny weather or it is dumping snow, these car hacks will prove valuable to have in your arsenal.
