February 08, 2023

Hey Everyone!

There are still 40 days until spring. That means plenty of cold weather ahead. If you struggle to keep your car de-iced and running smooth in wintery conditions, try these simple tips to keep your vehicle safe on the road, and maybe save you a little money!

Handy Hints Holly

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Today's Hints:

Reduce window fog with silica packets

Since windows fog up when there is more humidity inside the car than out, keep a moisture absorber in your car. Try filling up a sock with kitty litter, or collect a handful of silica packets from shoeboxes and other shipped packages, and place them in inconspicuous spots in your car to soak up extra moisture.

Use Less gas with more air

Tires automatically lose air in winter. For every 10-degree drop in temperature, tires lose 1 to 2 pounds per square inch of air. That forces the engine to work harder. Just keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure can save you up to $60 on fill-ups throughout winter.

Prevent icy windows with a vinegar spray

You can avoid waking up to an icy windshield by spritzing it with white vinegar tonight. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which lowers the melting point of water, stopping it from freezing. Just keep a spray bottle filled with three parts vinegar to one part water in your car.

De-ice wipers instantly with rubbing alcohol

To unfreeze wipers, forget about hot water as it can shatter glass in extreme conditions. Instead, grab rubbing alcohol and make sure it's at least 70 percent. Simply combine two parts alcohol with one part water in a spray bottle and spritz on the window and wipers until the ice begins to melt.

Keep headlights bright with car wax

Slush and salt accumulate on headlights, cutting night visibility by up to 30 percent. A good buff with car wax stops road gunk from building up for an entire month. After giving headlights a quick cleaning, dry them with a cloth and apply a coat of clear wax to each lens. It also prevents oxidation, giving you crystal-clear lights.