Snowblower Car Cleaning: A Dangerous Mistake
▼ Summary
– Using a snowblower to clear snow off a car is a shortcut that should never be taken, as it can cause significant damage.
– Modern electric snowblowers, while powerful and lighter, still pose a serious risk to a vehicle’s body, paint, and glass.
– An Instagram video demonstrates this damage, showing a BMW with a cracked windshield and a missing wiper blade likely caused by a snowblower.
– The damage includes cracks radiating from the wiper area and the removal of a wiper clip, which requires a specific motion to detach normally.
– The article strongly recommends using a foam snow brush instead, as it is a safe, effective, and durable tool for clearing snow from a car.
Winter brings its own set of challenges for car owners, and finding efficient ways to clear snow is a common concern. While it might be tempting to use powerful tools like a snowblower for the job, this approach can lead to serious and costly damage to your vehicle. Using a snowblower to clean your car is a dangerous mistake that can ruin paint, crack glass, and destroy essential components. The risks far outweigh any perceived convenience, making it a shortcut no driver should ever take.
The idea might seem absurd at first glance. Years ago, heavy gasoline-powered snowblowers were impractical for such a task simply due to their weight and the potential to dent even sturdy vehicle panels. Today, however, the widespread availability of powerful electric models presents a new temptation for those in a hurry. A recent incident shared on social media by an Ontario resident perfectly illustrates the consequences. The individual, using a corded electric snow-thrower on a BMW 3 Series, learned the hard way that these machines belong on the ground, not on a car.
The video showcases a facelifted E90 BMW falling victim to this misguided method. The spinning blades of the snowblower, designed to move compacted snow, are utterly unforgiving on automotive surfaces. Paint and body panels can be deeply scratched or gouged, while windshields and windows are vulnerable to cracking from impacts. In this specific case, the aftermath was clear: a missing wiper blade and a windshield with cracks radiating from the area where the wiper arm sits. The caption bluntly stated the result: a cracked windshield courtesy of the snowblower.
It’s not just the glass that suffers. Wiper blades and their mounting hardware are no match for the forceful mechanism. The clips holding the blades in place require a specific lever motion for safe removal; the violent action of a snowblower can rip them right off. While one might speculate whether such social media posts are exaggerated, the visible damage here speaks for itself. The owner was likely left not only with repair bills but also hunting for obscure replacement parts like specific wiper clips for an older BMW model.
A far simpler, safer, and more effective solution has existed all along: a dedicated snow brush. Investing in a quality foam snow brush is the recommended way to clear your vehicle without causing harm. These tools are lightweight, affordable, and remarkably durable, often lasting for many seasons. They effectively remove snow without scratching the paint or threatening the structural integrity of windows and trim. For anyone valuing their car’s condition, taking a few extra minutes with a proper brush is always the wiser choice over risking catastrophic damage with improper equipment.
(Source: The Autopian)
