10 Winter Car TIPS & TRICKS you NEED to Know
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 18 фев 2021
- If you live somewhere that gets snow, this video will teach you some helpful tips and tricks I have learned over the years to prepare your car for the snow! Learn how to remove ice from your windshield and how to remove snow from your car quickly without scratching the paint. I also show you how to prevent your door and lock from getting frozen shut and many more tips and tricks! I even show you how to use a car detailing spray to prevent the snow from sticking!
Windshield Snow/Ice Shield: amzn.to/3dsj3Aj
Silicone Spray: amzn.to/3blnREZ
Snow Removal Brush: amzn.to/3pG3OpY
Windshield Washer Fluid: advanceautoparts.rt8x.net/jWXJd6
Ceramic Spray: advanceautoparts.rt8x.net/15eZAx
Strong Leaf Blower: amzn.to/3bg1II4
Timestamps:
0:40 How to get more traction on snow and ice
1:48 How to get out of your driveway or parking spot safely
2:51 How to top off washer fluid
3:13 How to prevent doors and locks from freezing
5:55 How to prevent ice from sticking to your windshield
8:29 How to prevent snow from sticking to shovel
9:25 How to prevent scratching your paint while removing snow
10:10 How to remove snow without touching it
12:43 How to remove ice from glass
→ As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
→ Become a ChrisFix Subscriber: ruclips.net/user/subscription_c...
→ Instagram: / chrisfixit
→ Facebook: / chrisfix8
→ Website: www.ChrisFixed.com
→ My Channel Home Page: / chrisfix
*If the video was helpful, remember to give it a "thumbs up" and consider subscribing.*
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of ChrisFix, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. ChrisFix assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. ChrisFix recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of ChrisFix, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not ChrisFix. 
Авто/Мото
Hopefully these tips are helpful. The weather has been horrible here with snow ever couple of days which has put a hamper on filming my regular How-To videos. Hopefully the snow melts soon! I have some awesome videos coming!!!
Ok
Chris❤️ how about the turbo kit🤭
You should upgrade your Mazda b series
Chris I always have a 30 Pound bag of salt in the car
He should lol
This dude boiled water and brought it outside just to dump it and tell you not to use it on your car. I love him
making a nice slippery spot in his driveway in the process.
@@sveinarnelkken9125 there’s always that one guy who’s negative, I wonder when he will co… oh! There you are!
@@sveinarnelkken9125 that's what his wife gets for complaining about too many cars
Lol
We love you.
I used my leaf blower to remove the snow on my car last time. It was funny because it took me only 25 seconds and the car was clear. But it only work if the snow is dry and light. It would not work with heavy wet snow.
Exactly!
Yes when it’s like powder it’s so easy when it’s like icy and snowy it gets annoying and when you have snow flakes on your windshield it gets annoying
icey snow also works, just not as well. It least the top layer can be removed and I can focused dealing with the bottom. We Canadians do this shit every winter
There was a blizzard yesterday and I had to work on the car that my customer wants fixed and it took me about an hour to get like 10 feet shoveled becuse there was like 4 feet of snow I also had to clear out my door or it would have gotten all in my house
Flamethrower removes the wet stuff.
The best tip I've ever gotten was from my grandpa before he passed. He sat me down one day and he said "listen boy if you want to avoid all the issues that you seen in that Chris fix video just buy a house with an attached heated garage." And you know what he was absolutely right!
Everyone is not in a position to do that.
@@rickjames7576 fine, then buy a detached heated four car garage if that's more realistic!
My driveway is over 100 ft long. Sometimes we get up to 48 inches of snow in less than 24 hours. When I know a storm is coming, I park 10 feet from the sidewalk. That way I only need to clear 23 feet of snow (10'+5' swk+ 8' to curb) rather than 113' curb to garage).
Also, his tips work for open parking lots or visiting friends. The windshield covers are now made for rear windows as well (giant plastic hooks attach to rims or wheel wells); mine also came with a pair of matching bags for the mirrors (string closures with slide beads, ala ski clothing): they all fit into waterproof storage bags (trunk or back seat floor).
This is the house part 🙄
Yes, that would always be my first tip! Garage for sure!
A few tips if you get stuck in the snow. Have one of those small foldable shovels ready in the trunk. You can use the cars floor mats under the tires to gain traction. Tire chains is also a nice backup
Thanks for the info!
Kitty litter or ice melt (safe for dogs) helps too. I think there’s a spray to melt frost and ice on your glass. Also one of those plug in to car lighter sockets. May not be available on all vehicles. Most of these mentioned can be found in the vehicle area of Walmart or in a car/truck store like Auto Zone.
All even better if you’re retired now, you can just stay home. My Dad told me to at least keep your gas above the 1/2 way mark. Although we used to live off a busy street, our driveway was designed with a turn about. Circular driveways are nice too. I want one of those. Hoping to save up for that in Spring. Waiting on the guy to give us a price quote.
Something i learned back when i had a newspaper route on snow days: if you have a FWD vehicle and stuck at the bottom of a hill with no outlet, try reversing up the hill. Effectively makes your car a RWD with weight of engine giving more traction. Got me out of many desperate situations
FACTSS
my 4wd vehicle got stuck one time on a hill literally got to put 4wd lock on it
newspaper routes for me in NY were hard
Actually reversing also makes the tyres grip more as they are worn that way so its more edgy and grippy that way, but doesnt mather if your tyres are new. I once reversed up a hill with a truck thay is rwd and it worked becauee of what i just said :)
Also, reverse gears have more torque
This is also why backing into your driveway makes no sense unless you driving a rear-wheel drive vehicle or 4WD. Most cars today are front-wheel drive. If you need to punch through the hedgerow created by the plow you will need as much momentum as possible so keeping your drive wheels on the ground as long as possible is really important. So you want those drive wheels to be the last axle to bridge that snow pile not the first.
@@LowsJuan vehicles also typically don’t have as much clearance in the back
When using a credit card to scrape the ice off, select the one that is closest to being maxed out
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
😂😂😂😂😂
And use your wife's card when possible
@@dard4642 wait y’all have wives?.
@@DeathByLego 😂
Living through midwest winters has tought me that anything that keeps water off your car is good. Waxing your car before winter really helps get it off fast. Some sort of window treatment like RainX also really helps. Also a collapsable foam snow broom for your car is a great alternative to a brush since foam will not scratch the paint and will also push big chunks of heavy snow.
There are window cleaners now with rain repellent added. Just clean your windows and mirrors as usual, and you've added protection. You'll have to buff the windows with a microfiber towel after you clean them, but it's well worth the effort. Rain-X also makes washer fluid that contains their product. It will help maintain a repellent coating. It's worth every penny. If you're a detailing nut like me, a ceramic coating formulated for glass usually will last the entire winter if you use your wipers sparingly. A ceramic paint coating also helps snow slide right off your paint. Cheers from Illinois.
@@dougrobinson8602yep! i have the orange rain x fluid good to -25°f as well as water repellant on all my windows front to back inside and out and even my wing mirrors! i also use the LATTITUDE blades that have the water repellant on them and i have NEVER gone back! sure its pricey but man is it WORTH IT! my wiper blades last me like 5 years before i need to replace them! i also use good tires like accelera phi r’s for the rear and fullway hp108’s on the front for all weather traction and even in snow or rain ive had my abs kick in maybe 1-2 times! sogood visibility and good traction and control are KING in snowy or adverse weather conditions!
Good video and I would add: 1) In 30 years, I have only "combat parked" regardless of the snow expectation. It is safer to drive forward in to the street, so it is good to have the habit throughout the year. 2) The main purpose of the silicone spray is not to displace water already in place, but to create a coat to avoid water molecules adhering to the surface when the temperature drops at night. 3) The brush looked quicker and easier than the leaf blower, but I would suggest starting from the roof and then move down as you end up moving snow to areas already cleared the way shown.
you stole my name mate 😂
I would disagree with only one thing... If you have a front wheel drive car, you are better off to pull it in nose first because the car will keep the area behind the tires relatively snow free. This will give you traction to back out.
@@VroodenTheGreat Backing into a parking spot is never about traction. It's because it's safer to back in rather than back out into traffic and pedestrians.
And if your tires have so bad traction you can't get out of your driveway, then you probably shouldn't be out on the road anyway.
I didn't know it had a name like 'combat parking', but I've always done this because my job requires me to get in & go.
Found the boomer dad 😂
Me, who’s lived in Florida for the entire 20 years my life, taking intense notes
Florida man
Beware, there will be one day that Florida snows
Leave your hometown
I live in Western Australia, I really don't know why I am watching this video...
With what’s happening in Texas, it’s smart that you’re doing this. You never know
If you get stuck in the snow, don’t run your car to stay warm without checking that the exhaust pipe is clear. If the tailpipe is clogged with snow, exhaust can build up under or inside the car. It’s possible you can fall asleep and never wake up. Stay safe
Great tip!
Very cool trick i didnt know that either
And here I thought catalytic converters had taken care of 99% of that problem 😊
@@LMCEK cats dont do that at all. All cats do is get hot and burn the gas that did combust when ignited in the combustion chamber so that raw gas isnt going out the tailpipe.
I heard a story about a father and his toddler son passing away from CO poisoning when a passing snowplow buried the vehicle tailpipe which the father never knew.
Even after 2 years when you released this, i still find myself coming back to watch it and apply what you said to my winter preparations here at my house, i actually was inspired by the waxing the snow shovel so i did that yesterday, one thing i would have added was put a winter preparation kit, some extra food, kitty litter and a small shovel in the car for when you go out on the road and you get stuck at work or on the road, better to b prepared ya know, anyways, Chris, always a pleasure to watch your videos.
Thanks a lot! And good idea to make that prep kit!
Kitty liter &/or a bag of salt in the trunk can also side with fish tailing in slick conditions.
I’ve has salt save my bacon. Upside down cat mats have helped me too.
One of the best tips I learned during a blizzard, if your door lock freezes, use a lighter , heat up your key !!! Works like magic 👍
That was a good one, back in the day. Now you can damage your keys electronics
Computerized keys will be destroyed, making it a expensive replacement.
What key?
9 minutes in without a microfiber towel. Was pretty worried.
hahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaha
9:44
Quick tip: if your ever stuck in snow because your car has no traction, place your rubber floor mats under your wheels for added traction. Thanks Chris for all the great tips, keep up the good work!
Geez...that's a good one. Hadn't thought about that. Watched a show one time by one of those Bear Gryllis types who basically destroyed the rig to demonstrate how you can survive the cold with sun visors for snowshoes, hubcaps for water from the spare tire you set on fire to make a smoke signal to side mirror for signaling and upholstery to keep warm. Don't forget a cigarette lighter to start fires and all that trunk wire to bundle up your feet and legs. Simple as look around at what you have and making the best use of what's there.
Thanks. Sounds simple but difficult to think. It happened to me and my friend came n helped me with truck. I don't wish it to happen again haha but if it does, i'll do ur advice. Ty
We in Siberia often keep a spare battery at home in case the installed one cools down too much to start the engine. This applies if the car doesn’t have any sorts of heater or remote engine-start systems installed. Or, to stay cheap, we can just take off the only battery for the coldest nights periods and install it back when needed. It takes less time than cleaning the snow and allows to start the frozen, but well maintained engine at -35°C (-31°F) or sometimes lower.
Of course it’s always better to keep the engine warm somehow instead.
In Finland we use electrical heaters for motor and cabin, Defa or Calix brands. Car is warm inside when you come and motor is warm. Another tip, clean your car first and then the yard, not yard first. In our cars side mirrors have heating coils inbuilt so they will heat up istantly when pressing window heat button.
Hmm. And the heat might evaporate raindrops too in a light rain or mist... They would just be an option in US I think. We have areas with no ice or snow.
This guy's voice, personality, and enthusiasm would make him a perfect infomercial advertiser
I find it sad because to be popular you have to talk like that when no one talks like this
It’s dead funny watching his old vids missing the enthusiasm
Yeah maybe then I'd start buying, stuff that gets advertised.
And he would scam you
Chris is much more than -- that I appreciate all dislikes on this man's comment.
Does it snow where I live?: no
Will I watch Chrisfix anyway?: ABSOLUTELY
Yeah same lol
Chris, something helpful, for a screen cover I used a shower liner folded in half then shoved in the doors. I found out that you need to fold the ends before inserting them so when it melts it doesn’t run into the interior of the car. Also, when in a pinch, use of plastic shopping bags will work as a replacement for your ziplock bags on the side mirrors works great as well! Love your videos, keep up the great work!
Great idea on the liner. I have a windshield cover, and it scuffed the paint when I pulled the elastic over to the side mirror.
Great video.
Some helpful tips I've learned are: 1. In a pinch, rubbing alcohol makes a great de-icer. 2. Bags of kitty litter in the back of your vehicle helps out twofold, added weight and it can be used to gain extra traction by sprinkling it in front of your tires if you're ever stuck in the snow. And 3. Putting old socks over your wipers will help them from becoming damaged. (Just like the ziplock bags on the mirrors.)
I wouldn't use kitty litter for traction under the wheels it will help you but leave a nasty ice patch for the next person keeping some salt or sand is the better option in that case
some litters are made from clay and will not work as a traction aid. Our local scout groups sell bagged sand for winter use. @@KiRiTO72987
I like how he's wearing dish cleaning gloves, even in winter to not ruin the ChrisFix persona.
It actually helps keep your hands warm vs no gloves. I hate using big puffy gloves
@@chrisfix legend says that real men are never cold ✌️
Imma make it 100 likes
@@painthunderexe sure, they feel freshness. Then more freshness. Then their skin goes blue and they dead. Too common thing in siberia
I wonder if he has tats that could I'd him.
Don’t forget to change the air in your tires with winter air☝🏽
Always!
Winter air is moistier. It will freeze inside. Not good.
@@Derpster2493 no it's not, it's really dry actually
Whats snow?, sunny 70's in Phoenix valley today, maybe that's why no snow
I am from Egypt in my whole life I didn't see some snow 😔😔😔☹☹☹😥😥😢😢😢😢😢😢😭😭😭😭
After an overnight ice storm, as a new driver, I tapped the ice on the windshield to successfully remove it. However, when I tapped the ice on the sidewalk mirrors I found out that my scraper was tougher than the glass and cracked one. Feel free to learn from my mistake.
Thanks Chris!
In East Africa, we have never experienced snow yet I'm here watching and taking notes.
You never know haha
In Finland, this is our everyday life. Yet here I am watching even I know all tricks and tips about snow
With all the climate engineering going on you really don't know. We just had record snowfall in the South (US).
same here in the philippines, never had to deal with this stuff but who knows, could be useful
Same here
"Keep your shovel slick
So the snow doesn't stick"
- Chris Fix 2021
Phill Swift is That you? 😂😂
# Bars
"No ice, no snow, it's ready to go."
- ChrisFix 2021
It's like a Rap:
🎶Keep your shovel slick
So the snow doesnt stick🎶
@@gh2471 xd lol yeah
Using a leafblower to get the snow of the car is the most amazing way! As someone from Russia with strong winters I am surprised to never see this way used around here. Thank you SO much!
This is the best video I’ve ever seen on RUclips. I’ve got 3 young ladies that all started driving in this kind of weather and of course they’ll believe this video before they believe their Dad
Me: it’s ok honey I’ll fix the car
*5 seconds later
YT: HEEY GUYSS! Chris Fix here..
Lol
Never thought I’d see the day Chris would fill a liquid in his car without a funnel 😂
No funnel challenge :p
@@chrisfix welp you did it pretty good
Jimmy oaks challenge ❤🏴🏴🦄
Punks not dead, stay rebel!
And especially without his protective glasses
Is it weird to say I Love You for sharing these tips?!?!? My car is currently frozen shut and these tips are going to get me through this attack from the winter witch who's dumping *feet* of snow and an ice storm on my neighborhood. Thank You!!!!!
I always give my car a really good polishing prior to cold weather . When it comes to removing the snow it nearly always comes off all in one push . Most people would suggest removing the snow from the top of your car first but I disagree . If you remove the snow from your hood first then you do not have two loads together and the snow from the windscreen or roof slides off the hood easier after that has been cleared.
Right after all the beginning dialog, my first thought was "clean out your garage and park the car in it".
Unfortunately that will never happen. My tools and the products I use to film take up a lot of space.
Last year: 100 Watt light left under the engine block. This year: car under cover. Yeah, it's nice. Fortunately there are other buildings here for the boxes and tools.
@@chrisfix "ChrisFix here, today I am going to show you how to upgrade your 2 car garage to a 6 car garage!"
@@tactileslut a long time ago, my dad drive his 1959 Buick Invicta every day in Ohio and it never had an issue cranking up. That thing was a tank.
However, our neighbor with the diesel Peugeot, had issues with his fuel gelling when it got below zero.
He asked my dad for help and he put a few light fixtures on a board and put heat lamps on them. The guy kept them plugged in all night and cranked right up in the morning
No idea on how he got back home after work.
@@abstract1dea Two heat lamps are keeping my well equipment happy. Two more, on a dimmer, are warming the cat bed in front of the car. They're a wonderful, simple invention. :)
Wife: What did you do today?
Me: Waxed my shovel for snow removal superiority
I just put WD-40 on it.
I saw the screen shot on Facebook and I came here just for this comment.
I don't know why.
Excellent share. After a winter of lifting your windshield wipers up. Make sure to lube the springs afterwards for a tight wiper blade to the glass.
Make sure you take your phone out with you & it is charged up.Keep some warm clothing/blankets in the car & a shovel. Maybe an old rug or some old material you can put under your tyres to stop them slipping if you get stuck in a rut. Some chocolate in the glovebox.A candle & matches in case you get stuck. The candle may help to take a little of the chill off the inside of the car..Important though to allow some air into the car to avoid risk of suffocating.Keep a good torch in the car too. You can buy some really great multi function rechargeable ones now from Amazon which are fairly cheap & the batteries last ages.
I will forever call backing into a space as Combat Parking because it sounds so much cooler. Thanks for the tips.
Texans right now: Write that down, write that down!
It stopped being cold in Texas like a month ago
Maybe in another 100 years
Floridians: you guys get snow?
We would if it snowed continuously
@@friedpancakes266 Ight jit
Great tips indeed! However, It is my opinion that you forgot one thing that I believe is essential for good performance and safe operation in winter conditions.
Snow/winter tires. I cannot overstate how important it is to have good tires that are made for winter conditions if you live in an area that gets snow. The added traction from filling your gas tank is nearly insignificant, but the added traction from proper tires is without doubt the most significant factor for grip that you actually have control over.
I've seen way too many videos of people running summer/all-season tires sliding all over the road and hitting everything as soon as 1 snow flake falls on the ground.
Might be an interesting video for you to make? To compare the performance of different tire types in winter conditions.
I agree. night and day. I have separate winter tires and wheels for both SUVs. Live in the Seattle area with more ice than anything at times and I worry about people behind me not stopping when I do have the ability to stop on ice. It doesn't mean drive like an idiot but a much safer drive if you have to go out. The only way to go.
They also make "all season plus" tires now if you don't want to swap out winter tires.
Right that should be number 1. You can do all this but if tires aren't good don't bother
Absolutely, your vehicle has four points of contact on the road. Make them count!
always studded tires for winter.
These are great tips.
The side mirrors, plastic bag and water for windows, freaking awesome. I used supermarket card to scrape windshield, etc. works but nothing like prevention.
For the weight and tire grip I prefer put wooden palets which can be found behind any discount store. Then add a few cinder blocks in the grooves so they don't slide, scraping the bed of the truck.
Thank you for the info!
Chris, as always, a very helpful video! A few comments from a guy that has lived through winter driving for over 50 years. Most of these tips I learned from my Dad (old school, but effective).
1. Never let your vehicle gas tank go below half full. Possible condensation in the tank and freezing of the lines from the tank to the engine. Use menthol hydrate additive (cheap) or premium gasoline.
2. Full gas tank gives better traction and distribution weight, especially rear wheel drive.
3. Old socks, usually LONG ones that went up to the knee. Put them over the upright wiper blades to prevent icing. Damn, always wondered what happened to Dad's gift socks!
4. Dad also used old wool socks to cover the side mirrors. Now, I use FREE vegetable bags from the grocery store, role and tie the ends at the bottom of the mirror.
Thanks again, Chris. Always go to you channel for layman info.
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
I pretty sure premium gas will not prevent gas lines from freezing when it gets minus 20 an more i disconnect battery an keep in house battery freeze happens a lot but my gas lines have never freeze but i put heet in gas tank in winter usually
WNY'er here, and I haven't heard of anyone having water issues in fuel since they started adding ethanol to gas. The silicone spray on the snow shovel and warm water baggie were new though.
@@smileyface9459 minus 20 what? Celsius ? or Fahrenheit haha
@@fredrezfield1629 faranheit
Thanks for the tips
Hearing him say "Wooter" just makes my day
Hopefully these tips are helpful. The weather has been horrible here with snow ever couple of days which has put a hamper on filming my regular How-To videos. Hopefully the snow melts soon! I have some awesome videos coming!!!
I'm in Baltimore, so that's perfectly normal...
@@w1ldcardfn235 and who are you?
I live in South Jersey and this is normal for me.
Also Philly!
Tip: If you need to scrape windows, get inside the car, turn it on, set the defroster to max. Then start scraping the backseat passenger windows, front seat drivers and passengers windows, rear window, THEN the front windscreen. By the time you get to it, the warm air from the blower will have loosened the ice so ti scrapes away easier.
Great video mate, some very handy tips you have shown.
I also like to lay a tarp over the bonnet when camping in the snow, it's like parking your car in the garage over night.
It does help to start the engine of your car the next morning after it's been covered in snow.
Another tip i do is don't park your car with the hand brake pulled on.
Moisture on the hand brake cable can freeze over night and you might not be able to release the hand brake the next day.
One winter trick I used when driving heavy duty vehicles is before you park on an ice or snow-covered surface is to move the vehicle back and forth in its track to cool down the tires.
Tires that warmed up while driving will melt the spot they are sitting on, and then freeze to the ground. I actually tore off a patch of tread one winter when I took off again and had to replace the tire.
Hahahahaha i have lived in Montana for 35 years have zero clue what you are talking about. When it's 10 degrees out, heating of tires is the LAST thing you would ever worry about. Especially if roads are ice covered and top speed anywhere is 35
@@bobspizza7444 Ask any Class A driver. They know what I',m talking about.
Gets cold here and I never heard of such a thing. Maybe gravel but never asphalt. I’m throwing the bs flag with Bob
@@billbammerlin4666 Alright, Bill, and you too, Bob, pull up a chair, and let me tell you about all the ways cold winter weather can mess with you in ways you haven't even begun to contemplate.
It starts with the most obvious. Fuel gels in the lines, clogs your filter and you are stranded.
Moisture in the brake lines freezes and your brakes won't release. Happened to me while fueling outside KC, MO. A bottle of de-icing alcohol poured in the gladhands did the trick after some minutes.
Despite blowing snow and ice, my vehicle was overheating. The radiator grill had caked on ice that was cutting the airflow thru the radiator. Happened on EB I-40 in NM. Had to stop twice and knock the build-up off the front.
5th wheel grease hardened to the point that the kingpin wouldn't release. Moved the rig inside a heated inspection bay. After 30 mins it had warmed up and started functioning again properly. Happened at a shop in Omaha, NE.
Extreme windchill on the manual steering box hardened the lubricant to the point that the vehicle became hard to steer. Nothing to do about but to drive really carefully. Happened WB I-70 thru IN.
Slush froze the shoes and drums together on about all the wheels of the rig. Had to break them loose with sprays of de-icing alcohol and taps with a hammer. Happened while parked overnight in KY.
And finally, and this is to the point, the tires on about three of the wheels froze to the ground while spending the night on a shutdown section of WB I-80 between Laramie and Rawlings, WY. When I moved in the morning, two tires lost a small section of rubber, the third a larger patch that required replacing the tire.
Winter sure has a way of building character.
@@shelbynamels973 sheltered ppl that take the day off or work from home n hire the kids in the neighborhood to do the shoveling for them dont understand the real world during the winter months. Ppl that drive passenger cars or trucks 20-30mins to work in the winter have no clue what the challenges are as much as a truck driver. Not many ppl do.
This was a great video! I've been using an old CD case that I found under the seat to scape ice off my windows all winter.
Great tips. You mentioned some benefits of keeping the tank topped up. One other benefit (IMO, the biggest benefit) is that if you leave half a tank, for example, that means it has half a tank of air. Air contains moisture content. That moisture will condense on the insides of your tank, causing water to get in your fuel. If you have a diesel in particular, that can be a big problem. Best to keep your tank fuel year-round, but ESPECIALLY in the winter
Good tip. I also put an additive like Seafoam in my gas tank during winter to control moisture, and keep the engine purring.
@@Ottee2 seafoam doesn't work man
@@mattchu42069 , seems to work for me.
@@mattchu42069 so many mechanics have opposite opinions of Seafoam lol
1 word "heet" additive
Great tips. One point though: in a passenger car, loading up the trunk helps with traction *IF* the weight is either on top of or in front of the rear wheels. Otherwise you risk an imbalance that makes the front end relatively too light and it becomes hard to steer.
“ mommy, the neighbor is waxing his shovels again!”
"mommy, the neighbor is using a leaf blower on his car again"
“Mommy, the neighbor is rubbing a hot bag all over his car again!”
"Mommy, the neighbour is outside in the cold and he is waxing his driveway"
"Mommy, the neighbor just broke his windshield because he didnt listen to ChrisFix"
Mommy hes using a scraper and ziplock bags again
Me, who live in tropical island with 0% chance of snow: *interesting*
cuma suka nonton aja ya
same I’m from maui hawaii
You know Texas said that also 🤭
Me in desert Arizona with 0 chance of snow: interesting
Climate change will take care of that
🇨🇦 I work 12 hour shifts. Auto car starter is a blessing .
5:04 You can also use baby powder on your doorframe to prevent it from freezing shut. You don’t need to buy a silicone spray :)
Do not forget to mention that if you get stuck in the snow and are running the car, make sure to clear around the tail pipe to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
That... I appreciate your comment. Out of everything this is most helpful
How does this work? How would CO get into the car?
@@RandomNullpointer That's a good question
@@RandomNullpointer wondering that aswell,
@@RandomNullpointer instead of escaping in the atmosphere, it gets trapped in the snow and makes its way into your cabin. Same principle applies when leaving your car running in the garage
Me a guy who has lived on a tropical island all his life and will never have this problem: "Ah yes this seems interesting".
same as me lol
Live in Vegas, a freaking desert and still watched this lol
Me in florida....
@Joe Mama i live in north central georgia and can also relate
me, who lives in northern sweden knowing all of this and more and getting 2-3 way bigger snowstorms every year: "ah, some tips and tricks from someone who gets way less snow and ice just telling the basics"
if your lock gets frozen. use lighter on the tip of your key carefully to heat it up. just enough so it feels hot or starts to feel burning at the base of the key. slowly push it in keyhole and melt the ice. after key is fully inside, repeate couple more times to fully unfreeze the lock mechanism. then try carefully to unlock your doors. if you feel more resistance than normally, repeat the process. you should get your doors open and not break the key in half.
You can just pee on the lock. That will thaw it out quickly.
Do not do this if you have an electronic key. If damaged, they can cost up to $400. I found out the cost when I sent mine thru the wash (jeans pocket)
On the windshield wipers it’s not always best to leave them up all night. If you have heavy winds and/or a heavy storm. The windshield wipers are not designed to take that kind of pounding and you can do far more harm than good.
I haven’t had a problem yet where I couldn’t lift my wipers after removing the snow. If I have ice all over my windshield I just run the defrost and wait for it to melt away.
I really do like the windshield cover. Thank you much for the video Chris!
I tore my wiper blade off once after an ice storm. Now I use the bags that my newspaper come in over the whole wiper. If things are stuck & I am impatient, the free bag gets torn, not the $$$ blade.
Man. Just when you need him. He comes through! I can’t believe I never even thought about a full tank! Haha brilliant! Good call!
I retired from an electric utility, working in the IT/communications field services department. Snowstorms are a real problem there, often making us 4X4 up mountain roads (hoping we won't have to dig out too many times) to the mountaintop microwave sites.
Filling up in advance is incredibly important. In aviation the saying is that the most worthless things in the world are the runway behind you and the altitude above you. For winter driving the same goes for the gas in the stations.
Most people don't think about it until they need the extra traction!
Chris: “Never ever use the scraper on your paint”
Me in my 💩box: *grabs shovel to scrape off the ice*
Shovel?? Ive upgraded the ice pick
Novices! I use my handy dandy flamethrower to melt off the ice. Works pretty damn good.
You didn’t hear it on me but I used a shovel on the back of the del sol yesterday haha. She’s gonna get painted eventually lol
*me coming out with a jagged kitchen knife*
Yeah I learned this the hard way... Now I’ve got to watch Chris’s video on paint correction for my wife’s 2021 Kia 😭
I bought a SubZero canvas windshield cover that has mirror covers attached by elastic bands, and clamps in the door. It works great and I highly recommend. I keep my fuel topped off in case I'm stuck in snow traffic somewhere, but didn't even consider the benefit of the extra weight!
Do you happen to have a link or brand/product name? I have a windshield cover that has 'magnetic' plates along the edges, but they don't hold well. BUT it does have flaps that hang INSIDE the driver/passenger doors to hold the shield in place. That way, no one can remove elastic bands from around the outside mirrors.
@@RetireAbroadInvesting I got mine from O'Reilly's Auto parts. Part number 17545
I got my whole set (front, back, mirrors & storage) from QVC. Variety of colors & patterns as well. Canvas on top, waterproof "rubber" next to glass. Oh yeah, 3 sizes too.
12:45 chills went down my spine when I saw this and I started tingling when he stared talking about scratching paint
I'm living in Russia, Siberia. Winter temperatures of -20C are common here and -40C happen too. The most pain is when ice builds up on the internal side of the glass. To prevent it, wide open the doors and stay like that for a couple minutes. This will remove a warm humid air from the car. Also make sure there is no water or snow on the car mats. This water will evaporate and condense on cold glass.
In very harsh conditions below -40C it's common to use a cape for the whole car. It's called НАКИДКА НАТАША. It really helps to keep the engine and suspension warm enough.
I don't think that snow brush will scratch and damage a car paint. We never use towel like CrisFix advises and paint is just fine. Besides, you can buy a brush with soft fibers.
I live in North part of Kazakstan (South Siberia) and I agree with all your tips.
Natasha can be helpful anytime btw 😂😂😂😂
I just came to say, damn. That’s cold.
Thanks! I was wondering recently how to avoid it!
It actually will scratch the paint :) only lightly but still noticeable
Another advantage of 'combat parking' is that your battery is facing the street in case you need a jump.
the other advantage of combat parking is that your gas tank is facing backwards in case you need the fuel truck to come refill you
Not for every car. There is alot if not most European Cars that have the battery in the trunk
@@hassnaindar9586 Not in all cases. Some cars live in the desert and don't get snowed in.
@@hassnaindar9586 I think you're referring to BMW and Mercedes cars. Those still have two jump start points in the front under the bonnet
@@mattiaiezzi9381 And all newer Audis and Volvos, and not all older cars with the battery in the back have jump point under the hood.. Trust me I'm a professional! "Holding my Magnum 44 while 80s action music is playing in the background"
Awesome tips from everyone involved, never heard described as combat parking before, but to echo what others are saying it is definitely the safest form of parking and should be taught when learning to drive, one other vital tip when road conditions are treacherous are check that it actually safe to drive
Great tips! If I may add, when clearing snow off the car start from the highest point and then downwards i.e. roof then hood etc. if you start with the hood then when you get to the roof the snow will be down on the hood again
Great tip! Thanks!
Exactly… and park your car close to the edge of your driveway so you can shove the snow off in that direction from the get go, drive out of the way and finish the job with the car out of the way.
Can we appreciate he actually got B-roll of the snow plow working. It’s all in the details.
As a Florida native, I’ve never realized how much work has to be done before you northerners can go to work! My deepest sympathies to y’all.
P.S. when my wife (also a native Floridian) first walked into the room, she thought I was watching a horror movie
Winter stinks in the north.
@@alexlassaline1768 I live in Canada and when there is a big snowstorm I remove all the snow from the car like the most by respectful and smart people because we are not dangerous and dumb
We just use inside external heaters here in the Nordic countries, that helps with most of the hassle. Or a Webasto which works with fuel. But anyways good tips. I need to use that silicon trick for my trunk, it always get very frozen with a lot of hard ice, either preventing it to open or not getting shut properly after you get it open. Thankfully many newer cars have mirror, windshield and rear window heaters so no need to do extra tricks there.
Excellent tips. I had an experience where I only had a quarter tank of gas in my car in negative temperatures and it wouldn't start. Condensation had gotten into the gas line. A dry gas treatment finally got it started. Now I make sure it's full when a storm is coming.
Not only is Chris giving us car tips he gave us shoveling tips too 😂
Yea because the shoveling is sooooo impossible when the snow sticks to the shovel.
Glad that I live in LA
In big storms or should I say storms that go for long time but steady go out a few times and get snow when it’s few inches not a foot or more.... shouldn’t get hurt that way
Next vid, how to use a snow blower instead of a shovel and have time to clear your sidewalk.
One thing that is helpful is using cat litter as the additional weight. It’s pretty inexpensive, adds weight for traction, BUT if you find yourself stuck, cut the bag open and dump a pile in the direction of travel next to the tires and the grit can help pull you out! Love your videos, thanks!
I did this when I didn't even have a cat, 4 or 5 of the hugest boxes at Costco. Then I donated the unopened ones to an animal shelter when the season turned.
Does the extra weight mess with the shocks?
@@ED80s not so I noticed. About 120# of litter was the most i used, equivalent to a 5'5" skinny-ish person. If you can carry a passenger, should be ok.
That garbage bag is the best hack ever! I also just bought the cover on Amazon, got a deal. Thank you so much!!!!
Quick extra tip on the side view mirror: use a liquid screen protector. I use the same "WowFixIt" stuff on my phone and my side view mirrors. It's a moderately hidrophobic stuff, and the mirror is facing vertically so gravity also helps you out at preventing water and ice. Also it fixes and protects against microscratches on the mirror that could be really distracting when the car behind you has it's light scattered due to these scratches
Me: lives in a desert city haven't seen snow in 7 years.
chrisfix: car tips for winter and snowstorms.
Me: clicks on video.......it's better to prepared
I be like:
They thought the same thing in Texas.
We just got wrecked a couple of days ago in Texas. I wish I would’ve seen this video earlier.
People in the south lose their minds if it snows. They forget how to drive, how to function. I am more terrified of the yahoo’s on the road than the weather. Sorry you can’t drive 90 in a 75 if there is ice and 6 inches of snow on the road. Physics. Apparently hard to stomach having to drive 35 on the interstate when the weather is bad for some. You mean it will take me an extra 30 minutes to get there,, oh noesssss
Ask Texas how they feel about winter preparedness. lol
Surprised he didnt recommend to start up the car and turn heaters on while clean off the car. By the time you are done cleaning the car... the car is nice and warm and all the ice on the windows have melted and you get into a nice warm vehicle once time to drive away. :-) yep... Canadian here :-)
But then he wouldn't be considered "green"
It's not just so your car is toasty when you get in. The engine needs time to heat up before driving off, so the fluids start circulating preventing engine damage
@@kimbennett155 and don't forget the transmission.. auto or manual giving them time to warm up optimized their lubrication plus they shift way better
This also seems like common sense but maybe not
Also idling the vehicle warms up the lambda sensors. If you go driving on a cold day right away, the engine is runnin on maps and burns a lot of fuel while driving. Idling on maps spends relatively minimal fuel and warm oxygen sensors give stoichiometric air-fuel mix.
As someone born in Florida who has NEVER woken up to snow on the car.. and is planning to move north in the next few years, this was incredibly helpful
I like the idea of the plastic Ziploc for the side mirrors and the plastic bags on the windshield, also the spray on the hood's lock, these ideas are phenomenal ideas, it's a matter of fact last snow storm we had a few days back the windshield, side mirrors and wipers were all frozen, I will use this methods before we get hit again by a snowstorm, thanks I appreciate it, JD from St. Louis, MO
Chrisfix good day! greetings from philippines 🇵🇭👍
Yow yow yow musta!?
Musta
Yow Whats up😎
@@jillydalida2146 😍 kumusta din po?
@@MotoPaps ayos lang naman ingat tayo lagi!
Another tip: Carry a box of cheap cat litter in the trunk. If you are ever stuck or if your wheels are spinning in the snow, place some of the cat litter under the wheels. Hope this helps.
Thought you was going to say if you get caught short... lol
What about chains?
@@muki_x here in the Netherlands we get a big fine if you use chains. They tear up the asphalt roads. Only police, ambulance and firefighters are allowed to use them, but only under real bad circumstances.
Thanks man. We’re expecting temperatures of just below freezing in England now with possibly some light frost on the windscreen. With these tips we should be able to get through this
Its winter time babyyy i watch this video every year to make sure i dont forget the tips, chris fix is like a school textbook or a dealership part, 100% legit
Chrisfix : 10 winter tips
Me in the middle east: interesting.
هههههههه الفيديو مرا مفيد لنا 😂
* Chris doing a simple oil change *.....
* Changes the trans fluid, feul filter, cleans the seats, changes the interior lights, cleans the engine bay, changes blinker fluid, suspensions, takes out the engine, cleans radiator, flushes coolant and fills the feul tank. *
Chris: Alright now that were done with that preventitave maintenence.........
Uhmmm blinker fluid isn’t a real thing
@@maxdominguez6454 😉
That blinker fluid is always a bear
@@mickcv4554 my blinker fluid bearing axle motor stopped working today
@@milesbigelow4775 try elbow grease.
Thank you for your tips. Your videos are always very comprehensive and we learn more than we expected
A tip from Finnish rally drivers, wrap white tape around the top of the steering wheel when the wheels are straight, it makes it easier to get out of the snowdrift when the front wheels are definitely straight ahead.
Us Texans needed this like a week ago. 🤣
I was cooking over my fireplace like a fucking caveman
Right!
Yes lol! It was so hard bc low water pressure and unstable electricity lol
@@comp1ext time to yeet Ted Cruz in to the frozen texas
Y'all come to Flagstaff. 1 foot overnight is common enough; a couple years ago a storm dropped 40 1/4 inches of snow in barely a day. It takes a lot to shut the city down but that did it.
How I missed this 😢
Keralathil enth snow...
Same
@@mathewsreji5748 northil Indalloo.
Same
You and me both!!
I cut or use a plastic shopping bag an cover the door frame and so far it works😁and thanks for your advice 👊🏽BLESSINGS.
They never taught me these life skills at school. Thanks.
I've lived in Ohio my whole life, but I had never seen anyone do the ziplock bag full of hot water. That's a smart little trick!
I'm in northern Canada... that's new to me as well.
What part of ohio?
Manitoba here. I wouldn’t bother with warm water. Running a car for 15 mins makes it a “wipe it off” level. 120v wall plug cabin heater turnes it into an “eco friendly” warmup, if you care. Me personally, I am so lazy, that I just spray alaskan de-icer where it hasn’t melted. Takes 3 seconds. THREE very precious seconds of my morning.
@@kidzellajr4244Cleveland area
i use a tarp on my truck. so much faster and easier.
Normal guy: "Hey boys, snow ball fight!"
ChrisFix: "How to wax your snow shovel..."
Ngl, that's a trick to easily win a Snow Ball fight xDDDDDDDDDDD
I was pushing the snow off the roof yesterday because a roofer is coming to add a layer (flat roof) and I was shovering it down onto them while they were plowing the driveway xd
and don't forget to use a microfiber towel
I'm going to be waxing in my head before a snowball fight from now on
Great tips Chris, I particularly like the bag over the mirrors tip, so simple but so effective. Thanks a lot.
I use a soft bristle floor broom, with long handle for pushing snow off my truck!
Us northerns: "We already got this down"
All southern states right now: "PLEASE REPEATE STEP 1!"
Hey!
That’s messed up bro lol
California: "What's that white stuff on the ground!? Looks scary!"
That was funny.
@@mida8261 snow is known to the state of California to cause cancer, birth defects, and choking
This is what we call Tuesday is Wisconsin. We prepare for this stuff in July.
Ha Ha this is what we call a normal day in michigan
lmao
@@pythons206 is what we call a normal day in Canada
Hear hear, but we appreciate you taking the time to put this together. Younger newer drivers up here might see it as helpful.
Big deal. Imagine what people living in Northern Canada, Russia, or Europe has to say to you :P
I've been driving fwd's mainly in winters for the past 8 years or so, we don't get alot of snow but sometimes there is a considerable amount.
I have never needed extra weight in the back. And on the occasions where I drove a rwd car, it wasn't really needed either. I'd argue more weight, harder to drift around (or do small skids).
My tip: always have a coat of wax or something like that not only on your paint, but also on your glass surfaces if you don't want to scrape ice off.
It seems to me ,that you haven’t seen too many Winters yet , but for a guy coming from Africa and experiencing his first Winter this might be a good lecture .I am 84 years old and people of my generation could tell you a few things about Winter . Greetings from 🇨🇦 .
Chris Fix: "Here's how to keep your car from getting covered in snow and frozen with ice."
Me: "I'll park in the garage tonight."
yessir
The best thing to do. 👍👍
No need to make a meme comment to beg for like and no need to make any comment because he might not read it with all the rest of the meme filled comment section
Lol
@@-Sam69 Ok?
"Keeps the surface slick, so the snow doesn't stick!"
ChrisFix Sno-Off™ *patent pending
“No ice no snow and it’s ready to go”
@@aron1927 yes
Been living in Canada for over 30 years and I learned many tricks I never heard of.
Great tips 4 hints that I do, the windshield cover: I cover the wipers BC the snow slides and freezes them. With the cover over the wipers no worries. If your door weatherstripping does freeze... Do not pull it PUSH as if to close it the ice breaks and the door opens. In the morning I have a spray bottle filled with de icer that I spray on the windows to start the melting of ice. I spray all the glass a
Then push the ice off all windows.
Before the snow plows come by I shovel (the left side) neighbors 10 -15 feet before MY driveway BC when tho low comes by there is less heavy snow thrown onto MY driveway!