Simple Plan Can Make Cold Mornings Easier

The temperature doesn't need to drop very far for people to feel a sense of inconvenience and discomfort in the driveway.

Drivers can't do anything about the weather, but they can alter their morning routines in ways that make winter car trips less numbing, AAA says.

"Sometimes coping with all the minor difficulties of getting our vehicles going in cold weather can lead to unsafe driving practices," said John Nielsen, director of AAA's Approved Auto Repair program. He said that windows that are foggy or still have ice or frost on them are "less than ideal" conditions for a drive.

He offered several tips to help get things warmed up on a cool morning.

Use your garage if you have one. Park the family vehicle outside during the summer if you must, but have a garage sale and then pull the car inside if possible in winter.
If you park outside, check your vehicle first thing in the morning for frost and ice.
If the door locks are frozen, fill a container with lukewarm water and pour it on the lock. Don't try to chip the ice away with your key because it could damage the key and your car's finish. Do not pour hot water on windows; They may crack.
If the car is covered with snow, use a brush to get it off before doing the windows.
Start the car and turn on the defrosters, then spend five minutes inside your home while the car does most of the deicing work. Keep an extra key so you can lock the car doors.
Scrape off the remaining ice from all windows.

AAA also recommends having a battery checked at a reliable repair shop.