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OUR BLOG

1/9/2020
The winter can turn any situation into a more annoying experience. In fact, your car may be having issues thanks to some seasonal changes. Check out the hacks below to make it through the winter.

Winter Car Hacks

The winter can be a tricky time for going out. Something as simple as the pavement can turn a simple walk into a scary and treacherous adventure all because of the rain and snow. When it comes to driving, the roads can be downright scary. You've probably already prepared your car for the season, but how many of these hacks do you have up your sleeve to make it through the day without getting frustrated?

Reduce the Fog

One of the most frustrating things that happens all too often during the winter is foggy windshields and windows. If your defroster isn't working at its best, this can be even more annoying. Luckily, you can do a few things to reduce the chances of this happening. For starters, grab some shaving cream from your bathroom and put it on the inside of your windshield. Spread it all over the windshield and then clean it off with a paper towel. Since shaving cream has some of the same ingredients as commercial defrosters, it can prevent fog from forming on your windshield after this easy step. If the air in your car constantly feels humid, this can contribute to your windshield fogging up. To reduce the humidity, remove any open water or liquid containers in your car. This small act can lead to significantly less humidity, meaning your windows will fog up less often. You can also fill a sock with kitty litter and place this in your car. Since kitty litter absorbs moisture, this can also lead to less humidity in your car.

Stop Scrambling for an Ice Scraper

When you're in a hurry to get to work, the last thing you want to see is your car's windshield covered in ice. If you don't have an ice scraper, this can be even worse. Never pour hot water on your windshield in hopes that it will melt the ice away because this will crack your windshield. Instead, dig out an old credit card or gift card that is sturdy enough to scrape the ice away. Another option is to run into your kitchen and grab a spatula as a makeshift ice scraper. Make sure it's a plastic spatula because a metal one can scrape your windshield. If you want your car's engine to run strong all winter long, be sure to give it a synthetic oil change in Hagerstown. An oil like AMSOIL's Signature Series 0W-40 Synthetic Motor Oil can help your engine stay in great shape no matter how cold it gets outside. For even more products like this, contact the oil pros at ALF Marketing. Give them a call at (301) 416-0575 to learn more or to place an order.

Don't Get Frozen Out

If it's your first time living in a cold climate, you may not know that your car key can get stuck in the keyhole on a particularly cold morning. Since the keyhole can freeze overnight, sticking your key in there can lead to disaster. There are a couple easy things you can do to prevent this frustrating situation. First up is blowing air into the keyhole. Grab a straw and blow air into the keyhole to help it unfreeze. The air you blow into it will be warmer than the outdoor temperatures, helping to thaw it out. Another thing you can do is put some hand sanitizer on your key. The alcohol in it will help melt the ice in the keyhole, making it safer to stick your key in there.

Protect Your Side Mirrors

When you get in your car in the morning, you may think you're good to go. That is until you look at your side mirrors. These can freeze overnight, making them impossible to use in the morning. Not only is this annoying, but it can also be dangerous if you're driving like this. Luckily, preventing this is super easy. Before going to bed, place plastic bags over your side mirrors. If you're using grocery store bags, tie these tightly around the mirror. You can use any type of plastic bag as long as you can secure them on there. In the morning, simply remove the bags and your mirrors should be ready to go.

Get a Synthetic Oil Change in Hagerstown This Winter

Prepare your car for a great winter with a synthetic oil change in Hagerstown. The friendly oil experts at ALF Marketing can help you find great products for the job. Give them a call at (301) 416-0575 to place your order!