To help motorists cope with their cold cars, AAA offers the following advice:

• Use your garage if you have one.  Pull the car inside if possible this winter.
  
  
• If you must park outside, check your vehicle first thing in the morning.  Are the windows covered with frost?  Is it possible the door locks are iced over?  Will you need some extra time to get underway this morning?
  
  
• 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 as this may damage the key and your car’s finish.  (And, never pour hot water on windows. They may crack.)
  
  
• If the car is covered with snow, use a brush and not your hands to get it off.  Don’t worry about clearing frost or ice from the windows yet.
  
  
• Start the car, making sure the transmission is in park and the brake is set.  If the vehicle is inside, open the garage door so carbon monoxide doesn’t build up in the garage.  Switch the heater to the defrost setting.  Turn on the rear window defroster, if you have one.  Go back inside and have a hot beverage, or do something else for five minutes while the vehicle begins to warm up and does most of the work of clearing the windows.  Keep an extra key so you can lock the doors to prevent possible theft.
  
  
• When you go back outside, you should be able to get most of the ice or frost off the windows with a little effort and an ice scraper.  Once the windows are clear, you are ready to begin your trip.