What to Do If Your Car is Covered in Ice

By John Funk, February 1, 2022

Compared to other seasons, vehicles tend to take more beating from the harsh elements of the winter season. Irrespective of the make and model of your car, it is highly susceptible to damage caused by the elements, such as snow, ice, rock salt, and so on. Over time, these particles can lead to corrosive damage on just about any vehicle part that is exposed. When the road salt reacts with oxygen and water, it can easily corrode metal parts such as brakes and engine block. It can also cause the paint to lift away and peel off.

When the snow melts and the water mixes with the salt and air, it can cause serious trouble for your vehicle. The parts of your vehicle that are the most vulnerable to damage are the wheels, brakes, and exhaust pipes. If you are living in an area that is prone to harsh winter conditions, you may face challenges that other car owners might not even think about.

A car is a necessity for many. You may have purchased a car for many reasons, especially so that you can commute to your workplace quickly. Imagine it’s freezing cold outside and you have to get to your workplace soon. You walk out of your house and see your car covered in ice. This can be a frustrating sight. The good thing is that many modern vehicles come equipped with a host of new features to help you deal with such problems.

In certain scenarios where the automakers do not offer any solution, there are some basic steps that you can do yourself. When it comes to ice formation on your vehicle, you can follow a few steps and remove the ice from your car.

What to Do If Your Car is Covered in Ice

When your car is covered in ice and snow, the first thing to be done is to get rid of them. Here are some steps that will help you get rid of them.

Break up the thin layers of ice. The thin layers of ice formed over the surface of your car need to be broken up. You can smack on the hood and trunk using a flattened hand so that it will be easier to brush off the pieces of ice.
Brush off any snow or ice on your car. Use a broom or a sturdy show brush and give your car a good sweeping, so that you can knock off the snow that is stuck on top of any ice and also make the ice easier to scrape off.
Remove all of the ice and snow before you drive. Inspect your vehicle well before you drive it. If you find any ice or snow, scrape or brush it off. Taking an extra moment to remove all of the ice before you drive is very important, otherwise, it can cause an accident. A frozen car door is another issue that car owners face. If you are not able to unlock your vehicle because a layer of ice has them frozen, spray the de-icer liquid into the keyhole and wait for it to melt the ice. Once the ice melts, you will be able to unlock the frozen car door.
Follow the internal defrosting mechanism. Start your car’s engine, turn on the heater, and set it to the defrost setting, so that the warm air flows over your windshield and melts the ice. Adjust your AC panel, so that the air inside the car recirculates. This can help defrost any other windows with ice on them. You can also turn on your car’s headlights and taillights so that the bulbs can start warming up and melt the ice, making it easier to remove.
Scrape off the ice using a plastic scraper. Use a plastic scraper that is designed to remove ice from cars and drag it over the surface of the glass to scrape off the ice. If you use anything else apart from a scraper, it can scratch the glass.
Remove the ice using a rubbing alcohol and water mixture. If the ice is too thick to be scraped off using a plastic scraper, then mix one part rubbing alcohol with two parts water, shake it well and apply the solution over your windshield and windows to start melting the ice. This makes it easier to scrape off the ice. It’s important to not just use pure water, as this can refreeze and make it even harder to clear.

How to Prevent Ice From Building Up on Your Car Windshield

“Prevention is better than cure.”

While there are many steps to get rid of ice and snow from your vehicle, it is better to be prepared and take the necessary steps to prevent the formation of ice on your car in the first place. Here are some steps on how you can do that.

A mixture of vinegar (3 parts) and water (1 part) can be used to pretreat your windshield that will leave a thin layer on the glass which will keep ice from forming overnight.
You can cover your windshield with a windshield cover, tarp, or a folded sheet in order to prevent ice from being able to form on it.
It is important to wash your vehicle after driving on roads that have been treated with rock salt. This will help extend the lifespan of your vehicle.
If you are fortunate enough to own a garage, then park your vehicle there so that it isn’t exposed to the elements and you can avoid the formation of ice on the windshield and windows overnight.
Using a car cover is one of the best ways of protecting your vehicle against the elements, whether it's parked indoors or outdoors. You can either purchase car window covers for snow and ice or go for a full cover. It prevents the formation of ice and snow on your car.

If you do not want to witness your car covered in ice, then you need to follow these preventative measures. It will also prevent exhaust system damage and frozen car door issues.

Why Choose a Seal Skin Cover for Your Car?

At Seal Skin, we offer top-quality car covers that will provide superior protection to your vehicle. Our Seal-Fit car covers provide a snug fit and also leave breathable space for moisture to escape, thereby preventing mold and mildew build-up. Our car covers are cheaper when compared to custom car covers and offer about the same level of protection.

Our car covers don’t just protect your vehicle from harsh winter conditions but also from other destructive elements such as bird droppings, tree sap, pollen, branches, and so on.

The Incredible Benefits of Using a Seal Skin Car Cover

A top-quality Seal Skin car cover can protect your tires and spark plugs from getting weakened by freezing temperatures.
Our car covers can protect your windscreen from the regular scraping of snow that can otherwise cause scratches
Our car covers are durable and can prevent scratches, dings, and dents on the exterior part of your car.
Our car covers are available in a variety of colors and sizes, so you can choose one based on your preference and need.
The multiple layers of our covers ensure complete protection of your car, even during harsh winter conditions.

An effective car cover helps you save money that you would have otherwise spent on purchasing de-icer liquid to unlock your frozen car door and other expenses to clean your car covered in ice.

At Seal Skin, we offer high-quality Seal-Fit car covers with a guaranteed fit and excellent value. We offer full car covers as well as car window covers for snow and ice. Our products are reasonably priced and we will ship your order right to your doorstep at no additional cost. We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty with every purchase.

You can call us at 800-915-0038 during our office hours (Monday to Sunday, 9 AM to Midnight EST) and we will help you find the right car cover that fits your needs and budget. We will also help you if you have any questions about our products, shipping policies, and exchange/refund policies.