Winter Car Hacks That Will Save Your Life

MT. PLEASANT, Mich -- Michigan winters are, well, they're something else. Let's put it that way. Snow one day and rain the next, unpredictable temperatures...we'll venture to say that everyone who survives one of our bipolar cold seasons deserves a medal. All that back and forth can create dangerous driving conditions, and can even negatively affect your vehicle. We understand the specific issues and annoyances you have to deal with as a Michigan driver in the winter. Because we have to deal with them too. In order to help us all out, we did a little research and compiled a few tips and tricks that will save your life over the next few months. Have some winter car hacks of your own? Share them with us! Leave a comment here, or drop a line on our Facebook or Twitter, we love hearing from you!

• Clean Your Windshield With Shaving Cream - Did you know that shaving cream contains some of the same active ingredients as defogger? Coat the insides of your car windows with the cream, and then wipe them clean. Bye-bye fog!

• Wrap Your Side Mirrors in Plastic Bags - If you don't own a garage, it can be difficult to keep your windows snow and ice-free. To prevent your side mirrors from getting frosty, wrap them in plastic bags. When you're ready to drive slide them off and admire your perfectly clear windows. 

•  Use Hand Sanitizer on Your Keys - When temperatures get really low, car locks can freeze, causing your keys to get stuck. Avoid this annoying situation by coating your keys in a little hand sanitizer. The alcohol will melt the ice, and you won't have to figure out how to get your keys out of the door. WD-40 works as well.

• Throw a Rug Over Your Windshield - After you've parked your car, place an old rug, carpet, or tarp over your windshield to prevent snow and ice from sticking to it. No more scraping your car for 15 minutes while you're not wearing gloves!

• Put Old Socks Over Your Windshield Wipers -Many of you already prop up your windshield wipers before a winter storm to keep them from sticking to the glass. Go one step further by placing old socks over each blade to prevent ice buildup. 

• Use Cooking Spray on Your Car Doors - Want to avoid that cold tug-of-war between you and the car door that's iced shut? The night before a snowfall, coat the outside rubber edges of the doors, then wipe them clean. The spray will act as a lubricant and will prevent ice from forming.

• DIY Ice Scraper - While we all should keep a high-quality ice scraper in our vehicle, an old credit card will work in a pinch. A plastic spatula can get the job done as well...just make sure you don't use a metal one! 

• Fast Headlight Fix - During the dark and snowy winter months, having bright, working headlights is essential to your safety, as well as your fellow drivers. If your covers could use a cleaning cover them in a layer of toothpaste and let sit for a minute or two. Wash off and Voila! 

• Get Un-Stuck Fast - Getting stuck somewhere, while agitating, is often unavoidable, but before you call the tow-truck, try these simple hacks. Pour a layer of kitty litter under your tires, it will give your tires something to grip on to and improve your chances of getting out of that snowbank. Or, pull out your car mats and place them down in the snow, in front of your tires. They'll provide more traction and help your car get moving. 

We hope you found these tips helpful. Have any great winter car hacks of your own? Tell us! Maybe we'll feature them in a part 2! 

At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858. 

9 Holiday Gift Ideas for Women

MT. PLEASANT, Mich.,–– Shopping for a Christmas present for your wife, girlfriend, mother, sister, or other important ladies in your life? We've got some great suggestions! Any of these nine holiday gift ideas for women are sure to make her season brighter! Some of the gifts are thoughtful, some are fun, and some are quite trendy. So don't stress about what to get her, consult our list of ideas and start shopping!

Spa Services at Salon Blu: Hairstyling, manicures, pedicures, facials, or other spa treatments are the perfect gifts to give her this Christmas. She'll feel rejuvenated, pampered, and ready to take on 2018!

Alex and Ani Bracelets: It's hard to brainstorm gifts for the women in your life and not think of jewelry. Affordable, stylish, and super fashionable right now, Alex and Ani bracelets look great on everyone. Plus, you can pick which pendant on the bracelet will mean something special to her.

See Designer Weekend Bag: Everyone can use a cute tote bag for packing for a fun weekend trip. Especially one this stylish!

Shiatsu Pillow Massager: Help her relax at the end of the day and work out all those knots in her neck and shoulders with this pillow massager.

Faceted Terrariums: You won't need much of a green thumb to keep this beautiful arrangement of succulent plants. The elegant and dynamic design will make it a nice decorative touch to her living room or desk at work!

Umbra Aquala Bamboo Bathtub Caddy: This versatile and sturdy bathtub caddy will make it so she can have everything she needs within reach while enjoying the relaxation of a hot bath.

Sonia Kashuk Makeup Case: Buying makeup for women can be tricky if you don't know what types she prefers. So instead, get her a new, stylish makeup case that she can use on-the-go.

ULTA Lipstick: Get her an array of gorgeous lipstick shades so that she can look glamorous in any setting or with any outfit.

Sherpa-Lined Glitter Moccasin Slippers: She'll feel comfortable and cozy this winter in these stylish slippers whether she's at home, walking to the mailbox, or out-and-about!

Enjoy the smile on her face when she opens her present and finds out that you got her any of these nine holiday gift ideas for women. In addition to a more traditional gift, you can also help your wife, mother, etc. complete her Winter Car Care maintenance routine this December. It may not be as exciting to unwrap as jewelry, but she'll appreciate the fact that you're making sure she's safe out on the roads this time of year. Freezing temperatures, icy roads, and snowfall can make for extremely poor driving conditions and take a serious toll on your vehicle. Don't let her, or any family members or loved ones wind up stuck on the side of the road this winter!

At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858.

Websites: Chevrolet: HankGraffMtPleasant.com and Buick GMC Cadillac: GraffBGC.com

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