Windows fog up when there's more humidity inside the car than out, so tucking silica packets saved from shoeboxes and shipped packages (or a sock filled with kitty litter) into inconspicuous spots soaks up the extra moisture.
Five Simple Tricks for Winter Car Care
With plenty of cold weather still ahead, a few simple tricks can keep a car running smoothly and safely through the rest of winter, and maybe save a little money too.
Reduce Window Fog With Silica Packets
Save Gas by Watching Tire Pressure
Tires lose 1 to 2 PSI for every 10-degree drop in temperature, which forces the engine to work harder. Keeping tires properly inflated through winter can save up to $60 in gas over the season.
Prevent Icy Windshields With a Vinegar Spray
A spray bottle filled with three parts white vinegar to one part water, spritzed on the windshield the night before, uses the vinegar's acetic acid to lower water's freezing point and keep ice from forming.
De-Ice Wipers Instantly With Rubbing Alcohol
Hot water can crack glass in extreme cold, but a mix of two parts rubbing alcohol (at least 70 percent) to one part water, sprayed on frozen wipers and windows, melts the ice safely and fast.
Keep Headlights Bright With Car Wax
Slush and salt buildup on headlights can cut night visibility by up to 30 percent. Cleaning the lenses and applying a coat of clear car wax keeps road gunk from building back up for a month and helps prevent oxidation.
Got a handy tip of your own?
Reply and let us know, we love hearing your tips.
This edition is part of the Genius House Hacks archive: 20+ years of tips, rebuilt from the original Handy Hints newsletter. Browse more hacks →