Whether you own a sedan, a classic car, an SUV, or a compact car, the vehicle needs protection from the elements, which is where car covers come into play. With a car cover by your side, you don’t have to worry about dust, strong winds, or bird droppings.
However, when winter hits the roads, it can be difficult not only to protect the car from snow but also to get it running. With a cover, many car owners forget the difficulties they will have removing ice.
Another question many car owners often ask is: why don’t people living in cold regions ever use car covers, especially in winter?
Why People Living in Cold Countries Never Use Car Covers
There have been cases where someone working during the winter season parked their car in front of their house and put on a protective cover.
Unfortunately, when they try to remove the cover in the morning, they find it frozen and stuck to the windshield.
This is where many often wonder what to do when they find the car stuck in such a state. We will look at the reasons why people living in colder countries never use car covers during winter.
You can search online to find the best maintenance tips to ensure your car runs properly during harsh winters.
Now let’s look at the reasons why those who live in colder regions never use a car cover, especially during winters.
The Sun Melts the Snow
During winters in colder regions, when the sun shines, it can melt every inch of ice deposited on the car covers.
Unfortunately, this melts the snow and turns it into ICE, which can quickly penetrate the car door and cause problems. For example, it can lock the door mechanism.
Ground Clearance
If you have a car model that is low to the ground, AKA, is only 4 inches from the ground and ends up embedded in ice.
There is no doubt that removing the car cover under such circumstances would become almost impossible. In short, removing the car cover will take much longer.
Under a Foot
After the snowstorm, if your vehicle is under at least 12 inches of snow or more, there is no doubt that removing the car cover will take forever. In other words, it will become impossible to remove the car cover from the snow.
The Weight
After a snowfall, if the region receives heavy rain and the ice sticks to the protective cover, there is no doubt that the cover will become very heavy and take forever to detach. Therefore, it is pointless to put on a protective cover and then need ten people to remove it.
FAQ
1. Why don’t car covers work well with snow and ice?
Car covers are not always effective against snow and ice, as removing the cover can become a difficult task once it is frozen.
The ice can cause the cover to stick to the car, making it difficult to remove without damaging the vehicle’s exterior or the cover itself.
Furthermore, the moisture trapped between the cover and the car can freeze, which can damage the car’s paint.
2. Can using a car cover in winter actually cause more harm than good?
In some cases, yes. The moisture trapped under the car cover can freeze, leading to ice forming directly on the vehicle’s surface, which can increase the risk of scratches and paint damage when removing the cover.
Moreover, repeated freeze-thaw cycles can exacerbate this risk.
3. Are there specific types of car covers better suited for cold climates?
While traditional car covers are not ideal for freezing temperatures, there are covers designed with materials that prevent moisture buildup and are easier to remove even in cold weather.
These specialized covers often feature waterproof or water-resistant materials with breathable fabrics to minimize condensation.
4. How do people in cold countries protect their cars without using covers?
Many people in cold countries rely on garages or carports to protect their vehicles from the elements.
For those without access to covered parking, frequent cleaning and waxing to protect the paint, using windshield covers to prevent ice buildup, and applying sealants to rubber seals and door edges to prevent freezing are common practices.
5. Is it a good idea to use a car cover during a winter storm if I park outside?
Using a car cover during a winter storm can be a double-edged sword. While it may offer temporary protection from snowfall, it can become problematic if the cover freezes onto the car.
If you are expecting extreme weather conditions, it is more effective to focus on protecting specific areas, for example, by using a windshield cover to simplify ice removal from the windshield.
6. Can heated car covers solve the problem of snow and ice accumulation?
Heated car covers, which are a more recent innovation, can potentially prevent snow and ice from accumulating on the vehicle by maintaining a temperature above freezing.
However, they require a power source and can be more expensive than traditional covers, limiting their practicality and widespread use.
7. Why isn’t there more innovation in car covers for cold weather?
Innovation in car covers for cold weather does exist, but it tends to remain limited due to the availability of simpler solutions like garage parking.
The cost and effort required to develop materials that are both lightweight and effective against cold, snow, and ice can be prohibitive. Market demand also influences the pace and direction of product innovation in this area.
Final Note
These four reasons explain why the car won’t start even after being put under a cover. This is why residents of cold countries avoid using protective covers to protect their vehicle.