I have no garage.

And I use the car in the winter. Hence, when it snows... I have to clean the snow off my car.

Sometimes, especially lately, the snow freezes... so today I was attempting to scrub (with my soft gloves) the frozen snow off my hood, as it was melting from the engine.

Now, should I even bother doing that in the future ? Am I risking serious scratches from the ice rubbing against the clear coat ? I'm very meticulous about my car's looks... so should I just leave the snow/ice on it and drive ?

That would sorta prevent me from doing any quick sub-0-degree washes with warm water, however...

All input is welcome! Donuts to the first 3 good suggestions

 

Aww cmon, no input ?

 

leave it, its not hurting you is it? if you want, take a level of it off, but leave the base untouched, let it melt. just clear your windows.

 

have you had any ideas about a car cover? You can leave it at night n if it snows.. just take it off.. that way the paint wouldnt get scratched or anything?

it might help!

 

id imagine that would be pretty heavy to take off if theres a few inches of snow. also someone said their froze to their car... that cant be good.

 

I have a car cover... I've used it once right before it rained heavily... the next morning when I was taking it off, there was water and moisture UNDER the cover... don't ask me how it got there.

I've never used it since. Plus, what happens if it's snowing already and you wanna put the cover on ? And what happens if you need to go somewhere while it's lightly snowing ? What's the point of the cover then ? :\

 

yes i guess. just a sugestion

 

I just bought a Z and it still has the performance tires on it but I am thinking of switching to All Season Tires.. or just switch to Winter Tires next Winter.. because I can't even move the car in the snow right now....

I just want to make sure that the Winter/All Season tires make a big difference to the car.. .and if they don't I might have to get a Winter beater car...


Let me know...

 

Yeah, huge difference from what I've read.

 

I've got the same problem....I start the car and let it warm up for several minutes and then get a water hose and let the water get
underneath the ice,this usually lets the ice slide off on a layer of water protecting the paint somewhat.This has worked well for me
with the temps in the upper 20's to lower 30's.It's important to
remove as much ice as possible...it will scratch and can fly off while driving,scratching your own car or somebody else's...

 

I'd recommend to get a garage. Rent it, walk to it if you have to. If you don't you will be regreting later.
In 1972 I had my first Z, a 240Z, and I was in your same situation. I rented a garage from an elderly couple that was not using it in Astoria, Queens. It was about 10 blocks from my place but I saved my car which I kept for 6 years and 60,000 miles. No pain, no gain.

 

I am in the same boat as you are slay2k. I also live in NJ and I don't have a garage. I was planning to keep my old 240sx for the winter but this wonderful state screws you on insurance so I will probably get rid of the car and drive my Z in the winter. Don't scrape the ice off the hood-you will scratch your car. I don't agree with steeve-I don't think that if you leave ice on your hood it will scratch your car-nonsense (No offence steve). What you have to worry about is salt.

I picked up my Z this week and since the insurance is paid for my 240 for this year I will drive that until there is no more snow/salt on the roads. Personally, this is what I plan on doing next winter since my Z is going to be my daily driver then.

1. Accept the scratches/dents *cringes*. Z is a very beautiful car and it deserves to be kept in pristine condition. However, If used as a daily driver in winter conditions you have to accept one thing. You will get scratches/dents on you car eventually. No way to get around it. You just have to accept it and try to minimize it.
2. I will try to find a nice soft bristle brush to clean off the snow.
3. I am not going to bother with ice (just let it melt off the body) unless it is on my windows.
4. I am experimenting with my car cover right now but it will be mostly for leaving on the car overnight in summer/fall. I park under trees overnight-sap and leaves can get very annoying.
5. When my 240 was in a really nice condition (before paint started peeling off the hood), I used to wash it all the time. Even during the winter. I plan on doing the same for the Z. It will be cold and I will look like a fool washing my car in the winter but guess what? My neighbors already think I am nuts when it comes to my car so I have nothing to loose. That should allow me to battle with salt on my car.

Comments are welcome. This is a plan in progress.


Dmitry

 

I think that you should just leave the snow on the car, and just clean the snow/ice off he windows. You don't want to scratch the paint with those stiff bristles.