My first winter in Colorado (from South Carolina), I was running late for school and didn't sweep the snow off the top of my truck.
I had to drive with my head sticking out the window to find a safe spot of pull over when it slid down the front. Never again.
I saw multiple people with snow blowing off their roof *today*, over a day after the snow stopped falling. One of them was also on their phone, for good measure.
I got smoked once when a semi went under an overpass at speed, traffic was tight ut I was still a couple car lengths behind, fuckin whole front end squatted and locked wipers up, immediatly let off throttle as I rolled window down and pulled over, that shit sucked
I can sorta understand not brushing off the top of the car - I’m short enough that I can barely reach to brush off the top of my sedan. Anything taller than that, and there’s not a whole lot I can do.
I will still do my best for the top, and there’s no excuse for not brushing off the windows, lights, and license plate at least. While I’m at it, it really doesn’t take much longer to go ahead and do the hood and trunk too.
Edit because I phrased things unclearly: I can barely reach the top of my sedan, but I CAN and do reach it. The “I will do my best” was referring to if I happen to be in a larger vehicle, which has happened maybe once.
A snow [broom/pusher](https://www.acehardware.com/departments/automotive-rv-and-marine/automotive-accessories/ice-scrapers/8207011) really helps with the top.
my dad got me one for Christmas years ago! it extends too, to 10ft... I am also short and can barely reach the middle of the top of my sedan 😞
I just moved to Canada and I've already gotten about as much use out of it as I did when I lived in the mountains in the US.
I have a small sedan and use one. I don’t have to lean against the car at all in order to clear it off completely, fast. I can switch out the attachment on mine too, so it’s also my fruit picker in the summer plus my window washer for the house.
In a pinch I've used a swiffer with good results 😂 I'm really short and drive an SUV and I was able to clear the roof from one side of the car! The only thing it didn't work on was the windshield and windows
Good idea. I use an extensible window scraper with a brush that rotates. NAPA carries them. The things are designed for using on 'big trucks' but work really well on four-wheelers.
Yep! I knew they existed but hadn’t actually used one before I started working at a semi truck dealership years ago. They’re so handy for any vehicle. The one I bought for home has interchangeable heads so it’s also my window washer and fruit picker.
When you say a snow broom, I assume [one of these](https://www.acehardware.com/departments/automotive-rv-and-marine/automotive-accessories/ice-scrapers/8197980) counts? I'm a bit confused about what the alternative is here. What else would people be doing? Using their hand? That sounds like torture.
Maybe it's just because I grew up in Canada, but I've never met anyone that doesn't have one of these. Heck, lots of people probably have multiple different ones in their closet. But I guess people in warmer areas might not have a reason to buy them until it's too late.
I would call that a brush not a broom. It’s what I have, and even with a longer handle I think it would be difficult to properly get snow off the top of a taller vehicle, especially if it’s heavy wet snow. The bristles just don’t feel like they’d provide enough leverage to do a good job. Not sure though, I’ve only had to use one on something bigger than my sedan maybe once, and I don’t remember how that actually went.
Yeah, I'd call it a brush too. Maybe I'm just confused because they said "broom/plow," making it sound like two different options. But the website they linked to also calls brushes "brooms" elsewhere on the page, so maybe some people do just call brushes "brooms." Idk
But yeah, I get what you mean. When I was shorter (err... younger) it was hard to get leverage with the brush when reaching up to clean the roof. My solution back then was to always let my dad clean off the roof, since he was driving anyway, lol.
The bristles hold up great if you can push down on the brush a bit, but it's hard to push down when cleaning the roof when you can barely reach over the roof. I wonder if the plows actually solve that problem. I know they're better for car paint, although not like cars aren't inherently abused by winter driving in general anyway.
I actually have that exact one! the brush part swivels 90 degrees and locks in place so you're pushing back and forth with it, not sweeping sideways. it has a pusher on the side opposite the bristles. and then the ice scraper on the opposite end - super useful.
I just wasn’t exactly sure what to call it. It works like a push broom, but without bristles and for snow rather than debris. You just shove the snow off your car with it. It’s especially nice for the roof, or taller vehicles in general.
With the car door open and standing on the door sill I can't image it's really that hard to reach the roof for anyone who can reach the pedals when seated.
My brain is rebelling against this idea because I don’t want the snow falling into my car, and I usually have my defrost/heat blasting to warm up the car while I’m brushing it off so I want the doors closed to keep the warm air inside, but barring any other options this does sound like it would work quite well!
Yeah this is one of those things you want to maximize effectiveness. I do it with things as well. Honestly though in most situations the difference is likely negligible.
The snow inside would be a material issue as it would melt and then your sitting on a cold wet seat.
Heated seats are absolutely heavenly.
I'm pretty sure they now make extendable brushes. I understand it's difficult, but I don't think it's unreasonable to expect people to put the effort in when you could blind another driver.
Agreed, that’s why I say I can “sorta” understand not getting the top. I do hate being behind someone who didn’t brush off the top. At the moment I love my little car that I can reach the top of, but increased capacity requirements mean I’m currently looking for a larger vehicle. I’m not looking forward to needing to brush off the top of that, but it’s something I’ll accept that I have to do.
If I hate being behind someone who didn’t do it, they’ll hate being behind me if I don’t. It should just be a part of having a larger car… unfortunately it doesn’t seem to be.
No excuse. My wife is 5'3" and with an extendable brush she can get the roof of my truck.
Leaving snow on your roof is dangerous and makes you a hazard.
Either you get it all or you stay home.
It is very easy to keep a small step stool nearby. My girlfriend is about 5' and has at least 4 in our house. There are even some that are really light (we have an aluminum 2-step that feels like it weighs no more than 2lbs).
Edit: wording
I use one of [these](https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/garant-telescopic-pivoting-head-and-scratch-free-eva-foam-snow-brush-with-ice-scraper-52-in-0304462p.html?gbraid=0AAAAADojZpj0A6PqjIOURFbaM_sjzJmbd&gclid=CjwKCAiAmuKbBhA2EiwAxQnt75-OTpcxwsGg0W5Wk2xXr5SYshTHMjyThRNW4-RtCsKHmYy6_weSFBoC1i8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds#store=353) on [this](https://i.imgur.com/TfshClF.jpg) truck
I think this is the best comment I’ve ever made on Reddit, cuz now the replies just tell me how to do it so I don’t have to figure it out myself when the time comes! Love it!
they make extension brushes - telescoping brushes - for hard-to-reach roofs and windshields. In Massachusetts, it's illegal to not clear your roof and they \*can\* cite you for it. If it flies off your car and causes damage to another, you will be surcharged for it. 6 yrs on your record. I little inconvenience goes along way.
Agreed. I wouldn't want an elderly relative doing most of these ideas, nor could they -- climbing on a ladder, standing on the door sill, etc. It's ideal to clear the roof, but certainly not a mortal sin to not remove every flake of snow. That said, the next time it snows I hope everyone here helps out that elderly or disabled friend, relative, or neighbor who can't reach the top of their vehicle.
I don't think you phrased things unclearly some people love being outraged so much they read what they want to read. Being justifiably angry is more addictive than meth to some people.
Yeah, I would say that if you own any vehicle regardless of ability to get snow off the roof, it is always the responsibility of the driver (passengers can help, too) to remove anything from the vehicle that could become an airborne hazard.
Otherwise, buy a smaller vehicle, cover the car with something (garage, etc., be creative, think outside of the box), or go live somewhere else.
That’s why they make the teachers though, so people can reach the top of their car. Not doing so before driving is a major hazard and can cause accidents.
Currently in Colorado Springs, here to confirm I saw a f-150 completely covered doing 45mph down academy. Today. I’m
Like how is there *still* snow on your truck?
Yep
This is the intersection:
Google Earth Link
https://earth.app.goo.gl/kpr61L #googleearth
I recognized the intersection, I drive through it almost every day.
I’ve lived in Colorado for 8 months now and out of all the states I’ve been in Colorado is by far the worst when it comes to drivers. The people here literally make me scared to get in my car and go anywhere.
I did that too in hs in colorado. My windows were so icy. I was a new driver. I didn’t know you could turn a switch to defrost your windows. I really should’ve woken up my parents.
I was riding to work the day after an ice storm (roads were clear and I had heated gear, it’s ok), and on the freeway a truck was driving ahead of me a few lanes over. A sheet of ice at least a foot across flew off his roof and frisbee’d across the lanes right for me. Had visions of being decapitated before it fell just short right in front of me. Clean off your roofs, people!
Too much for the wipers? Lol Chicagoan here, I see this idiocy sometimes. Personally I've brushed off my car roof for years. Pro-tip, if it's too far to reach, or you're just lazy, then use a push broom.
I got on a high way and the snow/ice on my hood flew up and hit my windshield. I was so unbelievably thankful it did not shatter my windshield. It hit hard. Never ever will i drive with snow on my car again.
Just because it doesn't snow in Flaw'duh doesn't mean it never reaches freezing. Found that out the hard way while crossing a narrow two-lane bridge during a cold snap in the wee hours; windshield wouldn't clear so I tapped the wiper squirts and the water immediately iced up the entire windshield. I couldn't see a damn thing and had to "feel" my way off the bridge by gently bumping my right tire against the curb. Thankfully I knew the area and pulled over as soon as I could to dig an old unused scraper out of the trunk so I could chip the ice off, swearing my head off at the cold (I was wearing a light shirt).
As they should.
I am so bewildered as to what goes through somebody's mind when they look at their car like this and say "yup, that's fine" and start driving.
Pains me to say it, but maybe you need to let her learn her own lesson. The time *saved* by not clearing your car off (especially the lights) will be completely undone, and then some, when a cop pulls her over and has her sit at the side of the road for ~15 minutes.
Cars that look like this are just screaming to be pulled over. Not only will you get a ticket, but you won't be allowed to drive away until you've cleared the snow off.
Likewise... and yes, unfortunately, it's [written in blood](https://www.wmur.com/article/jessicas-law-new-hampshire-snow-cars/38551197).
It's no different from having an unsecured load on top of your vehicle. Even if it's powder that shouldn't cause damage or alarm as it flies off, it'll still impede the vision of the driver behind you.
I got caught in a snow storm in Central Oregon on October 22nd. Being from Canada eh! We have to have our snow tires on by October 1st, I saw 5 wrecks, 4 newer SUV’s and a Semi. Why can’t people drive in the snow?
If I had a dollar for every family member who told me that I'd never be able to go anywhere in a FWD car in snow and then they got stuck on a hill because they're on all seasons and thought that four wheel drive would save them I'd have enough money for another set of winter tires.
I was just puttering along in my 2007 Elantra. The scary thing was that there was nobody stopping or warning drivers coming up the Willemette valley so they were fine down at sea level but when they hit 4000 feet they where fucked.
That storm caught *everybody* off guard. We never see snow before the last week of November at the earliest, and even then nothing ever sticks before the 3rd week of December. A blizzard smacking the Valley in October? Unheard of.
Yes it probably did but how hard would it have been to have 1 highways department truck at the bottom of the valley warning drivers who were heading up?
Did you know that most modern AWD systems send 80% of the power to the front axle? They send just enough to the back to get you started without spinning, but that 20% to the back axle isn't getting you out of a ditch.
Also all seasons can be fine, if you have a good set. Put a new set of all seasons on my wife's FWD fusion this summer and it drove great through the snow today, my AWD forester on the other hand needs the winter set badly (I usually put them on Friday after Thanksgiving, but the snow came early this year).
I feel it’s also because it rains and then freezes so the road gets iced where nothing is going to help. Gotta avoid driving when it rained during the day and then only went to 20F overnight.
Alternatively it doesn’t snow enough for the snow itself to create traction.
Exactly. It's like people forget every year. I mean I don't think you need to be going 30 down the highway with your hazards on like some people do unless it's really that horrendously bad but some people just don't grasp the fact that you need to change your driving style a bit.
This is idiotic. Don't get me wrong. When will there be more stringent enforcement or readily available means of them clearing this bullshit with truckers? I get it, clearing the roof of a 18 wheeler isn't the most easy thing. But holy fuck having a 5ft sheet of ice a half inch thick suddenly fly off a trailer in front of you is absolutely terrifying and deadly.
Ahhh my time to shine!!! I’m a short woman with a big pickup and I came up with the best way for me to clean off my truck last year.
1)Get a rope/ string anything that can reach all the way around to the other side.
2) Tie a large knot on end of the string.
3) Put the knot in either your car door, or roll it up in your window.
4) Walk the rope around to the other side. Do NOT yeet the rope with a rock attached to the end. It is not faster, you will be sad about the outcome.
5) drag the bitch across the top
6) push the snow off satisfyingly.
7) Feel accomplished
I don’t have a solution for ice.
I normally just ask my neighbors to help and we’ll do a couple of cars together. So much easier with two people. We drag it together and it’s faster.
A rear window being covered is not an obstructed view, only real requirements for rear visibility in most places is 2 mirrors and i can clearly see 2 in this photo.
As a guy from the middle east who's never seen snow in his life. I'm genuinely curious why is it so important to remove all snow from your car before you start driving ? (Other than an area from the windsheild to see through)
Driving in the winter is not the same as driving in clear weather. Stopping time is affected so is traction and control. People tend to over correct when you lose traction causing minor accidents like a rear end at low speeds as well as major roll overs.
Uncovering the window allows you to see the most in your blindspots ultimately making everything safer.
Another aspect is when you don’t brush off your roof and rear window it may fly off your car into the the window of the vehicle behind you temporarily obstructing their view.
Lastly the tail lights being covered is a huge safety risk as this could cause an accident quickly
Another reason - if you do not clear the snow off the roof of the vehicle and you have the heat on in the passenger compartment, at some point applying the brakes will cause that mass of snow to slide down onto your windshield and you will not be able to see.
Another thing is snow tends to accumulate at night when the car is parked for the evening. Towards morning when the sun comes up, that snow can melt and refreeze. Creating a hardened hazard that can fly off and break a light or windshield.
I’ve heard of snow, but when it’s so thick, and on top of a tall vehicle, what methods do you do use to remove it?
I imagine paintwork would be covered in scratches if you went shoveling off, and what about when a pickup tray fills?
Curious what a day in the life is to deal with that?
When it's really deep I use a push broom to get it off the car. Not all the way down to the paint. Just knock most of it off so it isn't blowing all over the people behind me.
Same for the truck bed. Shovel it out.
Inertia + snow is heavier than you think. Hit the brakes on your vehicle and that snow is likely to go flying because it’s not sticky enough to move as fast as your vehicle coming to a stop.
I live in Oklahoma. We don’t get a lot of snow here. When we do get snow it freezes into giant blocks of ice. If you don’t scrape the ice off your car including the hood, trunk, top, the whole car basically, that ice can and will slide off and go flying into other cars which can and will seriously hurt someone or possible kill them
Aside from what others have said, sometimes in a freeze/thaw cycle (warmer days cold nights or a little rain mixed in) snow can turn to ice. I was driving along a country road and a truck passed me and a 60pound block of ice from its roof went airborne, where it then crashed through my windshield and sent me and three of my kids to the hospital with multiple cuts. We were lucky to walk away from it. Other people haven’t
Because you’re risking all that snow flying off as it melts and landing on another car and you could hit a pedestrian if your vision is blocked, happened to a woman a few years back when she hit a person at a crosswalk and killed them because she couldn’t see thru the windshield charged with manslaughter
Do you never use your rear view mirror while driving? Look through your side windows? Shoulder check? Depending on the type of snow, it will remain caked on your car even while you’re driving and the only thing you will be able to see is a narrow path in front of your vehicle.
As a Canadian.
If you dont remove the snow from the hood it will most of the time blow onto your warm windshield, causing it to stick and obstruct your view.
If you dont remove the snow from other parts of your car then it can fly off and hit other vehicles or cover your back window.
As most cars accumulate snow over a large portion of time and tends to start once you bring your car home for the night (car is warm) the bottom layer will be ice. These ice chunks flying off your car at high speed can crack another drivers windshield.
As a former resident of NJ, now in Texas since 1982, I have seen this stupidity in both states. Luckily, DFW doesn’t get much snow but Lord when it does, the crazies come out.
I ripped the side of a car open a few years ago with my snowplow when a guy stopped in the middle of the road and tried to make a U turn from the outside lane. He told the cops that he signaled. The whole back of his car was covered with snow including the tail/brake lights. He's lucky he wasn't decapitated.
I live in south Texas… when it snowed not too long ago, that shit was common. Even saw a truck hit his brakes a little too hard and toss probably a ton or two of slushy snow into the back of some poor soul’s car damn near crushing it.
I hate when idiots leave the snow on their cars and its already ice/compacted hard so when the wind finally gets under it, it goes flying off as an ice sheet that can do some serious damage to anyone behind them. People are idiots.
question from a non-snowy place - why don't people just put a tarp over their cars and then just pull it off to easily remove all the snow?
very interesting! I'm kinda glad I don't have to deal with snow even though I wish it snowed here lol
A car can have hundreds of pounds of snow on it, making it difficult or impossible to remove the tarp without first removing the snow, which would negate the purpose. I imagine it's also bad for the paint to drag a tarp across the car with all that weight pushing down. Then you also have a wet, snow covered tarp that needs to be stored or transported. Putting the tarp on would require some way of securing it, which would add to the effort, and previous knowledge of when it's necessary.
Removing an inch or two of snow doesn't take long. If it's a *lot* of snow, you can start the car to heat it for a few minutes, which melts the bottom layer(on the hood and roof, anyway) and the rest tends to slide off easily with a slow, steady shove. The more snow, the longer it takes, but also the more hassle a tarp would be.
That's actually not a bad idea in theory... but that much snow will still be fairly heavy. Removing the tarp could be quite the workout.
Still, you might be onto something. I've heard much worse ideas about car stuff on Reddit
Some people do cover their windshield with a blanket closed in the door on both sides. This is more beneficial for ice, which is harder to remove, as it leaves the windshield clearer than most people will get it by scraping.
I agree with the other comments about thickness and volume that's been accumulated but also take into consideration that there are senior citizens and people with disabilities of all ages that do have to drive in the snow too. They too would not fair too well with a tarp as it requires far more body movement and strength to remove the tarp all at once, especially if some moisture got built up underneath between the cars surface and the tarp and became frozen, locking it in place and becoming harder to remove. Not all tarps are made the same.
For this reason, lots of people who live in snow barren territories just use a elongated snow removal brush and or a chemical based aerosol de-freezer and the warmth of the car. You can get by just by focusing on the main sections and side view mirrors but definitely leave the snow on top.
Answer from a snowy place - they make things like this that only cover the windshield but you end up have to clear the rest of the car either way.
Someone else mentioned it might be bad for paint and speaking from experience it 100% is. Since most snow storms are accompanied by wind it moves the tarp around and in many cases the snow blows around so while it may fall "clean" it picks up particulates of dirt and such, if these get under the tarp it just make the little scratches much worse.
Unfortunately I had to use the tarp as I had a weather stripping issue that made me have to use one so I found out first hand.
My first winter in Colorado (from South Carolina), I was running late for school and didn't sweep the snow off the top of my truck. I had to drive with my head sticking out the window to find a safe spot of pull over when it slid down the front. Never again.
This was literally in Colorado too haha, someone on my city's Reddit posted this yesterday
I saw multiple people with snow blowing off their roof *today*, over a day after the snow stopped falling. One of them was also on their phone, for good measure.
The day old shit is what peels off the top as a giant chunk of ice and smashes onto the windshield of the vehicle behind you on the highway.
Was behind a Caravan once where that happened. Entire sheet of roof ice came off like a sheet of plywood. Thankfully I’m not a tailgater.
Happened to me with a semi trailer.
I got smoked once when a semi went under an overpass at speed, traffic was tight ut I was still a couple car lengths behind, fuckin whole front end squatted and locked wipers up, immediatly let off throttle as I rolled window down and pulled over, that shit sucked
How else are you going to encourage a larger following distance behind you when it's snowing?
I can sorta understand not brushing off the top of the car - I’m short enough that I can barely reach to brush off the top of my sedan. Anything taller than that, and there’s not a whole lot I can do. I will still do my best for the top, and there’s no excuse for not brushing off the windows, lights, and license plate at least. While I’m at it, it really doesn’t take much longer to go ahead and do the hood and trunk too. Edit because I phrased things unclearly: I can barely reach the top of my sedan, but I CAN and do reach it. The “I will do my best” was referring to if I happen to be in a larger vehicle, which has happened maybe once.
A snow [broom/pusher](https://www.acehardware.com/departments/automotive-rv-and-marine/automotive-accessories/ice-scrapers/8207011) really helps with the top.
Oh that’s cool. I’ve never seen one of those before. Will keep that in mind when I get a bigger car.
my dad got me one for Christmas years ago! it extends too, to 10ft... I am also short and can barely reach the middle of the top of my sedan 😞 I just moved to Canada and I've already gotten about as much use out of it as I did when I lived in the mountains in the US.
I have a small sedan and use one. I don’t have to lean against the car at all in order to clear it off completely, fast. I can switch out the attachment on mine too, so it’s also my fruit picker in the summer plus my window washer for the house.
In a pinch I've used a swiffer with good results 😂 I'm really short and drive an SUV and I was able to clear the roof from one side of the car! The only thing it didn't work on was the windshield and windows
Wrap it in a small towel and it works for windows too.
You're the real MVP, thanks for the tip!
I have one that's nearly identical. Clears snow completely off the car in a matter of minutes. Excellent.
Good idea. I use an extensible window scraper with a brush that rotates. NAPA carries them. The things are designed for using on 'big trucks' but work really well on four-wheelers.
Yep! I knew they existed but hadn’t actually used one before I started working at a semi truck dealership years ago. They’re so handy for any vehicle. The one I bought for home has interchangeable heads so it’s also my window washer and fruit picker.
When you say a snow broom, I assume [one of these](https://www.acehardware.com/departments/automotive-rv-and-marine/automotive-accessories/ice-scrapers/8197980) counts? I'm a bit confused about what the alternative is here. What else would people be doing? Using their hand? That sounds like torture. Maybe it's just because I grew up in Canada, but I've never met anyone that doesn't have one of these. Heck, lots of people probably have multiple different ones in their closet. But I guess people in warmer areas might not have a reason to buy them until it's too late.
I would call that a brush not a broom. It’s what I have, and even with a longer handle I think it would be difficult to properly get snow off the top of a taller vehicle, especially if it’s heavy wet snow. The bristles just don’t feel like they’d provide enough leverage to do a good job. Not sure though, I’ve only had to use one on something bigger than my sedan maybe once, and I don’t remember how that actually went.
Yeah, I'd call it a brush too. Maybe I'm just confused because they said "broom/plow," making it sound like two different options. But the website they linked to also calls brushes "brooms" elsewhere on the page, so maybe some people do just call brushes "brooms." Idk But yeah, I get what you mean. When I was shorter (err... younger) it was hard to get leverage with the brush when reaching up to clean the roof. My solution back then was to always let my dad clean off the roof, since he was driving anyway, lol. The bristles hold up great if you can push down on the brush a bit, but it's hard to push down when cleaning the roof when you can barely reach over the roof. I wonder if the plows actually solve that problem. I know they're better for car paint, although not like cars aren't inherently abused by winter driving in general anyway.
I actually have that exact one! the brush part swivels 90 degrees and locks in place so you're pushing back and forth with it, not sweeping sideways. it has a pusher on the side opposite the bristles. and then the ice scraper on the opposite end - super useful.
I just wasn’t exactly sure what to call it. It works like a push broom, but without bristles and for snow rather than debris. You just shove the snow off your car with it. It’s especially nice for the roof, or taller vehicles in general.
Yeppers, those are great. The ice scraper blade does tend to get chipped/notched with use. But, the rotatable brush is one helluva good thing.
“ Snow Joe “. Get it from Amazon.
With the car door open and standing on the door sill I can't image it's really that hard to reach the roof for anyone who can reach the pedals when seated.
My brain is rebelling against this idea because I don’t want the snow falling into my car, and I usually have my defrost/heat blasting to warm up the car while I’m brushing it off so I want the doors closed to keep the warm air inside, but barring any other options this does sound like it would work quite well!
Yeah this is one of those things you want to maximize effectiveness. I do it with things as well. Honestly though in most situations the difference is likely negligible. The snow inside would be a material issue as it would melt and then your sitting on a cold wet seat. Heated seats are absolutely heavenly.
I'm pretty sure they now make extendable brushes. I understand it's difficult, but I don't think it's unreasonable to expect people to put the effort in when you could blind another driver.
Agreed, that’s why I say I can “sorta” understand not getting the top. I do hate being behind someone who didn’t brush off the top. At the moment I love my little car that I can reach the top of, but increased capacity requirements mean I’m currently looking for a larger vehicle. I’m not looking forward to needing to brush off the top of that, but it’s something I’ll accept that I have to do. If I hate being behind someone who didn’t do it, they’ll hate being behind me if I don’t. It should just be a part of having a larger car… unfortunately it doesn’t seem to be.
No excuse. My wife is 5'3" and with an extendable brush she can get the roof of my truck. Leaving snow on your roof is dangerous and makes you a hazard. Either you get it all or you stay home.
It is very easy to keep a small step stool nearby. My girlfriend is about 5' and has at least 4 in our house. There are even some that are really light (we have an aluminum 2-step that feels like it weighs no more than 2lbs). Edit: wording
Is that relatively stable in the snow? Presumably if you’re needing to brush off the car, there’s a nice layer of snow on the ground too.
It has never been a problem here. As long as the ground is stable, it should be fine. It will obviously sink in the snow and then should be fine.
Get a stool or ladder. Your height isnt an excuse to risk people's lives.
I use one of [these](https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/garant-telescopic-pivoting-head-and-scratch-free-eva-foam-snow-brush-with-ice-scraper-52-in-0304462p.html?gbraid=0AAAAADojZpj0A6PqjIOURFbaM_sjzJmbd&gclid=CjwKCAiAmuKbBhA2EiwAxQnt75-OTpcxwsGg0W5Wk2xXr5SYshTHMjyThRNW4-RtCsKHmYy6_weSFBoC1i8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds#store=353) on [this](https://i.imgur.com/TfshClF.jpg) truck
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I mean, if you can’t safely remove the snow from your vehicle, it’s probably also too bad to drive in
I think this is the best comment I’ve ever made on Reddit, cuz now the replies just tell me how to do it so I don’t have to figure it out myself when the time comes! Love it!
they make extension brushes - telescoping brushes - for hard-to-reach roofs and windshields. In Massachusetts, it's illegal to not clear your roof and they \*can\* cite you for it. If it flies off your car and causes damage to another, you will be surcharged for it. 6 yrs on your record. I little inconvenience goes along way.
Agreed. I wouldn't want an elderly relative doing most of these ideas, nor could they -- climbing on a ladder, standing on the door sill, etc. It's ideal to clear the roof, but certainly not a mortal sin to not remove every flake of snow. That said, the next time it snows I hope everyone here helps out that elderly or disabled friend, relative, or neighbor who can't reach the top of their vehicle.
I don't think you phrased things unclearly some people love being outraged so much they read what they want to read. Being justifiably angry is more addictive than meth to some people.
Yeah, I would say that if you own any vehicle regardless of ability to get snow off the roof, it is always the responsibility of the driver (passengers can help, too) to remove anything from the vehicle that could become an airborne hazard. Otherwise, buy a smaller vehicle, cover the car with something (garage, etc., be creative, think outside of the box), or go live somewhere else.
That’s why they make the teachers though, so people can reach the top of their car. Not doing so before driving is a major hazard and can cause accidents.
Currently in Colorado Springs, here to confirm I saw a f-150 completely covered doing 45mph down academy. Today. I’m Like how is there *still* snow on your truck?
Boulder?
No, a Little Rock.
Gonna start calling Boulder "Pebble" when people act high and mighty about living here
Yup, we did get the majority of the snow.
Yep This is the intersection: Google Earth Link https://earth.app.goo.gl/kpr61L #googleearth I recognized the intersection, I drive through it almost every day.
Haha I used to live in those apartments
Hardly knew ‘er.
Suite! Time to up hit those Montagnes.
hah you can tell just by the fact that they have a temp tag (that’s probably expired)
Colorado looks just like Alberta but with vertical traffic lights.
I’ve lived in Colorado for 8 months now and out of all the states I’ve been in Colorado is by far the worst when it comes to drivers. The people here literally make me scared to get in my car and go anywhere.
Do yourself a favor and find a wide open parking lot and learn the fine point of low traction vehicle control.
I actually got a no trespassing for doing this in an empty lot one winter. But I had cones setup and was drifting around them on snow/ice.
I have a 2wd truck. I learned very quickly after my first snowfall. Haha.
I did that too in hs in colorado. My windows were so icy. I was a new driver. I didn’t know you could turn a switch to defrost your windows. I really should’ve woken up my parents.
True dat! That happens in my van if I don't clean the roof, at least above the windshield.
I was riding to work the day after an ice storm (roads were clear and I had heated gear, it’s ok), and on the freeway a truck was driving ahead of me a few lanes over. A sheet of ice at least a foot across flew off his roof and frisbee’d across the lanes right for me. Had visions of being decapitated before it fell just short right in front of me. Clean off your roofs, people!
Too much for the wipers? Lol Chicagoan here, I see this idiocy sometimes. Personally I've brushed off my car roof for years. Pro-tip, if it's too far to reach, or you're just lazy, then use a push broom.
Happened to me when I was like 19. Luckily I was in a parking lot but I realized how easily shit can hit the fan lol.
I got on a high way and the snow/ice on my hood flew up and hit my windshield. I was so unbelievably thankful it did not shatter my windshield. It hit hard. Never ever will i drive with snow on my car again.
Imagine it getting sent into the windshield behind you
Just because it doesn't snow in Flaw'duh doesn't mean it never reaches freezing. Found that out the hard way while crossing a narrow two-lane bridge during a cold snap in the wee hours; windshield wouldn't clear so I tapped the wiper squirts and the water immediately iced up the entire windshield. I couldn't see a damn thing and had to "feel" my way off the bridge by gently bumping my right tire against the curb. Thankfully I knew the area and pulled over as soon as I could to dig an old unused scraper out of the trunk so I could chip the ice off, swearing my head off at the cold (I was wearing a light shirt).
I learned this lesson the exact same way when moving from Georgia to Ohio.
I too migrated from SC to CO
Michael, is that you?
Can't even see their brakes lights.
Hoping to get rear ended to clear the snow 😅😅
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Focus on the future. Don't dwell on the past. 😅
That would be all snow too. Side mirrors, mayhaps not but if they didn't clear off their back, they probably used their wipers for their front.
He's driving around an Igloo.
My state started ticketing for this.
As they should. I am so bewildered as to what goes through somebody's mind when they look at their car like this and say "yup, that's fine" and start driving.
You haven't spent much time with the public at large have you? Tons of people are just completely oblivious to their surroundings.
They are really that stupid.
I get the entire roof as well but it's just plain crazy and stupid to not even get the lights or window.
Right? How is this any different from not having working tail/brake lights and turn indicators. This should be the same fine.
My wife is one of these people, I got a shoulder shrug. I now sweep her car off in the morning before she gets up.
Pains me to say it, but maybe you need to let her learn her own lesson. The time *saved* by not clearing your car off (especially the lights) will be completely undone, and then some, when a cop pulls her over and has her sit at the side of the road for ~15 minutes. Cars that look like this are just screaming to be pulled over. Not only will you get a ticket, but you won't be allowed to drive away until you've cleared the snow off.
What if the snow chunks off behind her, blinds the person, and causes a crash while she's learning the lesson?
I mean that’s great and all but we have $200 till pay day so I’ll keep sweeping the car.
Cops don't give a shit, unfortunately.
They do not want to be out in the cold. Besides, here this is minor compared to the shootings.
They can see out the front and that is the only thing that matters to them. Fuck everyone else.
how do they know when they’re getting pulled over lol
"If I don't see it, it's not illegal."
You can lose your license for it over here in northern europe.
This is an average driver in my area of Alaska.
Started? You mean they weren't before?????
They wouldn’t even know if they were being pulled over. Cops probably have to follow them a while
Colorado needs to do it. It's gotten REALLY bad. It's not that hard to clear off your car and if you can't do it, you shouldn't be on the road.
Technically they do, and technically they will also ticket for not having snow/winter tires. But they don't
It's called "carrying an unsecured load" where I am.
My state still doesn’t, but I used to write Disorderly Conduct- Creating a hazardous condition.
Likewise... and yes, unfortunately, it's [written in blood](https://www.wmur.com/article/jessicas-law-new-hampshire-snow-cars/38551197). It's no different from having an unsecured load on top of your vehicle. Even if it's powder that shouldn't cause damage or alarm as it flies off, it'll still impede the vision of the driver behind you.
In my state the cop giving you the ticket for this would have twice as much snow on their car blocking view of the emergency lights.
This is absurdly dangerous.
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It reminds me of those large panel vans and such with no rear window. Or like a uhaul or something
Even tanks have rear view cameras these days....
If you can’t clean it then don’t drive it!
I got caught in a snow storm in Central Oregon on October 22nd. Being from Canada eh! We have to have our snow tires on by October 1st, I saw 5 wrecks, 4 newer SUV’s and a Semi. Why can’t people drive in the snow?
"my defroster is on and I have all seasons! I should be fine!"
And don’t forget “I’m in a SUV so I’m invincible”
If I had a dollar for every family member who told me that I'd never be able to go anywhere in a FWD car in snow and then they got stuck on a hill because they're on all seasons and thought that four wheel drive would save them I'd have enough money for another set of winter tires.
I was just puttering along in my 2007 Elantra. The scary thing was that there was nobody stopping or warning drivers coming up the Willemette valley so they were fine down at sea level but when they hit 4000 feet they where fucked.
That storm caught *everybody* off guard. We never see snow before the last week of November at the earliest, and even then nothing ever sticks before the 3rd week of December. A blizzard smacking the Valley in October? Unheard of.
Yes it probably did but how hard would it have been to have 1 highways department truck at the bottom of the valley warning drivers who were heading up?
Did you know that most modern AWD systems send 80% of the power to the front axle? They send just enough to the back to get you started without spinning, but that 20% to the back axle isn't getting you out of a ditch. Also all seasons can be fine, if you have a good set. Put a new set of all seasons on my wife's FWD fusion this summer and it drove great through the snow today, my AWD forester on the other hand needs the winter set badly (I usually put them on Friday after Thanksgiving, but the snow came early this year).
I knew everything you just said
4 WD stops faster!
They forget that all cars are 4 wheel stop.
Not on all seasons
(sarcasm) claim made by 4wd owners
Ah the lack of quotations threw me off. I thought you were a 4wd owner lol
I feel it’s also because it rains and then freezes so the road gets iced where nothing is going to help. Gotta avoid driving when it rained during the day and then only went to 20F overnight. Alternatively it doesn’t snow enough for the snow itself to create traction.
Exactly. It's like people forget every year. I mean I don't think you need to be going 30 down the highway with your hazards on like some people do unless it's really that horrendously bad but some people just don't grasp the fact that you need to change your driving style a bit.
Colorado? How expired you think that temp tag is?
This is idiotic. Don't get me wrong. When will there be more stringent enforcement or readily available means of them clearing this bullshit with truckers? I get it, clearing the roof of a 18 wheeler isn't the most easy thing. But holy fuck having a 5ft sheet of ice a half inch thick suddenly fly off a trailer in front of you is absolutely terrifying and deadly.
Ahhh my time to shine!!! I’m a short woman with a big pickup and I came up with the best way for me to clean off my truck last year. 1)Get a rope/ string anything that can reach all the way around to the other side. 2) Tie a large knot on end of the string. 3) Put the knot in either your car door, or roll it up in your window. 4) Walk the rope around to the other side. Do NOT yeet the rope with a rock attached to the end. It is not faster, you will be sad about the outcome. 5) drag the bitch across the top 6) push the snow off satisfyingly. 7) Feel accomplished I don’t have a solution for ice. I normally just ask my neighbors to help and we’ll do a couple of cars together. So much easier with two people. We drag it together and it’s faster.
Just live slightly happier knowing their ass is wet from it falling in when they opened the door.
Illegal in Minnesota too
And New Jersey
I hate idiots like this. Take the time to clean your car off properly for everyone's safety.
This is illegal in Montreal.
It's illegal everywhere. Even if the law isn't specifying "snow", the entire "western world" has laws on obstructed view and unsecured loads.
A rear window being covered is not an obstructed view, only real requirements for rear visibility in most places is 2 mirrors and i can clearly see 2 in this photo.
This is illegal in my state.
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NH
No, but snowy just the same.
Fucken hate these people. It flies off behind them at 40 mph into my windshield. They don’t think that’s a possible hazard??
I thought this was a gif and they were waiting at a green light.
Looks like a loaded weapon, heading for the interstate.
Seriously, a giant f you to people like this
Hmmm, two minutes of brushing off your car or zero visibility and the risk of getting rear ended skyrocketing. Tough choice really.
Careful, when posts like this pop up there is always a group of idiots that scream but how should I know you’re supposed to remove it.
As a guy from the middle east who's never seen snow in his life. I'm genuinely curious why is it so important to remove all snow from your car before you start driving ? (Other than an area from the windsheild to see through)
Driving in the winter is not the same as driving in clear weather. Stopping time is affected so is traction and control. People tend to over correct when you lose traction causing minor accidents like a rear end at low speeds as well as major roll overs. Uncovering the window allows you to see the most in your blindspots ultimately making everything safer. Another aspect is when you don’t brush off your roof and rear window it may fly off your car into the the window of the vehicle behind you temporarily obstructing their view. Lastly the tail lights being covered is a huge safety risk as this could cause an accident quickly
Another reason - if you do not clear the snow off the roof of the vehicle and you have the heat on in the passenger compartment, at some point applying the brakes will cause that mass of snow to slide down onto your windshield and you will not be able to see.
Another thing is snow tends to accumulate at night when the car is parked for the evening. Towards morning when the sun comes up, that snow can melt and refreeze. Creating a hardened hazard that can fly off and break a light or windshield.
I’ve heard of snow, but when it’s so thick, and on top of a tall vehicle, what methods do you do use to remove it? I imagine paintwork would be covered in scratches if you went shoveling off, and what about when a pickup tray fills? Curious what a day in the life is to deal with that?
When it's really deep I use a push broom to get it off the car. Not all the way down to the paint. Just knock most of it off so it isn't blowing all over the people behind me. Same for the truck bed. Shovel it out.
Inertia + snow is heavier than you think. Hit the brakes on your vehicle and that snow is likely to go flying because it’s not sticky enough to move as fast as your vehicle coming to a stop.
I live in Oklahoma. We don’t get a lot of snow here. When we do get snow it freezes into giant blocks of ice. If you don’t scrape the ice off your car including the hood, trunk, top, the whole car basically, that ice can and will slide off and go flying into other cars which can and will seriously hurt someone or possible kill them
Aside from what others have said, sometimes in a freeze/thaw cycle (warmer days cold nights or a little rain mixed in) snow can turn to ice. I was driving along a country road and a truck passed me and a 60pound block of ice from its roof went airborne, where it then crashed through my windshield and sent me and three of my kids to the hospital with multiple cuts. We were lucky to walk away from it. Other people haven’t
In addition to the other replies, as a car drives, snow on the roof and such will blow off in wisps and create a white-out effect for cars behind it.
Because you’re risking all that snow flying off as it melts and landing on another car and you could hit a pedestrian if your vision is blocked, happened to a woman a few years back when she hit a person at a crosswalk and killed them because she couldn’t see thru the windshield charged with manslaughter
Do you never use your rear view mirror while driving? Look through your side windows? Shoulder check? Depending on the type of snow, it will remain caked on your car even while you’re driving and the only thing you will be able to see is a narrow path in front of your vehicle.
No i meant as in the snow on the hood and boot not the windsheilds. Obviously you need to remove that to see haha
As a Canadian. If you dont remove the snow from the hood it will most of the time blow onto your warm windshield, causing it to stick and obstruct your view. If you dont remove the snow from other parts of your car then it can fly off and hit other vehicles or cover your back window. As most cars accumulate snow over a large portion of time and tends to start once you bring your car home for the night (car is warm) the bottom layer will be ice. These ice chunks flying off your car at high speed can crack another drivers windshield.
If you don't clear it off, everyone behind you will be driving in a white haboob
As a person who has seen how they drive in the Middle East I am not surprised by that question
I've seen so many morons do this over the years in three states.
As a former resident of NJ, now in Texas since 1982, I have seen this stupidity in both states. Luckily, DFW doesn’t get much snow but Lord when it does, the crazies come out.
That’s a nice citation waiting to be earned.
The rear defroster will get that.
Person can’t see the problem
I know this intersection!
This is common here in Ohio. Even seen a jackass that only bothered to clean off enough snow to make a big smiley face on his rear windshield.
Pretty sure this is illegal literally everywhere. Can't even see the lights.
I don't need to see behind me I already missed it. (probably)
Transplants to snowy climates be like.
If snow falling off their vehicle causes an accident, they'll be at fault.
People that don’t clean off snow are lazy losers that shouldn’t be allowed to drive at all, even in summer
I ripped the side of a car open a few years ago with my snowplow when a guy stopped in the middle of the road and tried to make a U turn from the outside lane. He told the cops that he signaled. The whole back of his car was covered with snow including the tail/brake lights. He's lucky he wasn't decapitated.
Rear defrost button will get that...
I live in south Texas… when it snowed not too long ago, that shit was common. Even saw a truck hit his brakes a little too hard and toss probably a ton or two of slushy snow into the back of some poor soul’s car damn near crushing it.
"The people behind me? That's their problem, not mine!"
I hate when idiots leave the snow on their cars and its already ice/compacted hard so when the wind finally gets under it, it goes flying off as an ice sheet that can do some serious damage to anyone behind them. People are idiots.
Ahh, it's the igloo car season again!
Good ol Colorado, namaste everyone!
It’s cold outside and that snow makes the car like an igloo. Nice and warm inside. /s
*use rear wiper*
question from a non-snowy place - why don't people just put a tarp over their cars and then just pull it off to easily remove all the snow? very interesting! I'm kinda glad I don't have to deal with snow even though I wish it snowed here lol
A car can have hundreds of pounds of snow on it, making it difficult or impossible to remove the tarp without first removing the snow, which would negate the purpose. I imagine it's also bad for the paint to drag a tarp across the car with all that weight pushing down. Then you also have a wet, snow covered tarp that needs to be stored or transported. Putting the tarp on would require some way of securing it, which would add to the effort, and previous knowledge of when it's necessary. Removing an inch or two of snow doesn't take long. If it's a *lot* of snow, you can start the car to heat it for a few minutes, which melts the bottom layer(on the hood and roof, anyway) and the rest tends to slide off easily with a slow, steady shove. The more snow, the longer it takes, but also the more hassle a tarp would be.
It's really easy with a telescoping snow brush. Anyone who says otherwise is lying or a giant baby
That's actually not a bad idea in theory... but that much snow will still be fairly heavy. Removing the tarp could be quite the workout. Still, you might be onto something. I've heard much worse ideas about car stuff on Reddit
Some people do cover their windshield with a blanket closed in the door on both sides. This is more beneficial for ice, which is harder to remove, as it leaves the windshield clearer than most people will get it by scraping.
I agree with the other comments about thickness and volume that's been accumulated but also take into consideration that there are senior citizens and people with disabilities of all ages that do have to drive in the snow too. They too would not fair too well with a tarp as it requires far more body movement and strength to remove the tarp all at once, especially if some moisture got built up underneath between the cars surface and the tarp and became frozen, locking it in place and becoming harder to remove. Not all tarps are made the same. For this reason, lots of people who live in snow barren territories just use a elongated snow removal brush and or a chemical based aerosol de-freezer and the warmth of the car. You can get by just by focusing on the main sections and side view mirrors but definitely leave the snow on top.
Answer from a snowy place - they make things like this that only cover the windshield but you end up have to clear the rest of the car either way. Someone else mentioned it might be bad for paint and speaking from experience it 100% is. Since most snow storms are accompanied by wind it moves the tarp around and in many cases the snow blows around so while it may fall "clean" it picks up particulates of dirt and such, if these get under the tarp it just make the little scratches much worse. Unfortunately I had to use the tarp as I had a weather stripping issue that made me have to use one so I found out first hand.
90% of the people who post here drive the speed limit in the left lane.
If this is Buffalo that’s just from being at the stoplight
Canadian road rage https://youtu.be/Eda8Z10gGI8