Tips for Keeping Your Car Warm During Winter in Maryland

Winters in Maryland can be brutally cold, and if you don’t properly warm your car up, your commute can be downright unbearable. Fortunately, if you have a car garage, you can protect your vehicle from the cold weather; and even if you don’t, you can use these tips for keeping your car as warm as possible.

Park In a Garage

This is the easiest way to keep your car warm when it’s bitterly cold outside. A garage is usually a few degrees warmer than outside, which is enough to keep your vehicle warmer than it would be out in the elements. Plus, if it snows or it’s cold enough to freeze, you won’t have to worry about scraping the ice off your windshield and windows if you’ve kept it in a garage during the storm.

Cover the Windshield

If you can’t park your car in a garage or under cover of some sort, the next best option to keep your car warm is to cover the windshield with material that will prevent ice from building up on the glass. When ice accumulates on the windshield, it makes the car’s interior colder. Plus, you’ll have to scrape off the ice before you can drive anywhere. Use cardboard or cloth, or buy a windshield cover designed for this purpose.

Engine Block Heater

Most cars already have a built-in engine block heater, but some older models may not. Fortunately, you can get one installed at your service center, which can then help keep your car warm. This device heats the car’s coolant, which then causes the engine to stay warm. The block heater comes with a cord that you can plug into a household outlet when it’s predicted to be severely cold outside. This will make your car easy to start, too.

Oil Pan Heater

Another way to keep your car warm in the winter is to keep the engine oil warm. You can purchase an oil pan heater, which is then placed under the oil pan to warm the oil. When you start your car, this warm oil will flow through your engine, which is essential for making sure all your car’s parts are well-lubricated during an icy stretch of weather.

Electric Blanket

If you don’t have an engine block heater and don’t want to buy an oil pan heater, you can use an electric blanket to keep your engine warm. You can place the blanket directly on the machine or on the car’s hood, but be sure to remove it before you start the car. Plug the blanket into a wall socket and set it on high for a few hours.

If you’re looking to winterize your car, get in touch with our service center at DARCARS Toyota of Baltimore, where we will make sure your vehicle runs at peak performance all season long.

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