Snow Removal in Snowy Regions: Tips from the Self-Defense Forces and Local Wisdom

2021.01.11

vol.3

How to Remove Snow from a Car

This time, we’ll discuss snow removal related to cars.

In the parking lot of the Hokuroku office, located in central Toyama City where Editor-in-Chief Sakamoto also resides, there are many cases of snow-covered cars being left unattended by drivers.

Even parking outdoors briefly in this snowfall can result in a thick layer of snow accumulating on the car’s roof.

As someone who grew up in the Kanto region, I had a bitter experience shortly after moving to Hokuriku. I braked while waiting at a red light with snow still on the roof of my car, and the snow slid forward, completely covering my windshield.

When large amounts of snow fall onto the windshield, wipers are powerless. While this might be common sense to long-time residents of snowy regions, those who have just moved to Hokuriku should be especially cautious.

Always Remove Snow to the Sides of the Vehicle

Even for those accustomed to snow, it’s important to be mindful of how they remove snow from a car roof. Carelessly brushing snow off in any direction can increase health risks during heavy snowfall.

A video posted by the Self-Defense Forces on YouTube provides instructions on “How to Remove Snow from a Car.“

The key takeaway is:

Snow on the car roof should always be brushed off to the sides of the vehicle.

Brushing snow forward will obstruct your view when driving. On the other hand, brushing it backward in these heavy snow conditions can risk clogging the exhaust pipe with snow.

If the exhaust pipe gets blocked by snow and the engine is started, exhaust gases can circulate back into the car while it’s warming up. In the worst-case scenario, this can cause carbon monoxide poisoning inside the car.

According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the initial symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include a headache in the forehead area. Other symptoms that may follow include:

Nausea
Dizziness
Headache in the back of the head
Convulsions
Loss of consciousness

Ultimately, it can lead to death.

Instances of cars becoming stranded or isolated have been reported across Hokuriku. In Toyama City, where I live, many people have spent over six hours just trying to leave or return to the city.

In such situations, cars can become buried in snow while drivers wait inside. This increases the risk of blocked exhaust pipes.

Even when unable to move your car, it’s essential to frequently clear snow from the roof, brush it off to the sides, and check that the exhaust pipe isn’t blocked.

Clearing Ice and Snow from the Wheel Wells

Regarding snow removal for cars, Deputy Editor Fumiya Otsubo, who was born and raised in Toyama, added a note about clearing snow from around the tires during the editing process.

Snow and ice often accumulate in the wheel wells (the space between the tires and the car body) while driving on snowy roads.

If left unattended, this can damage the bumper, reduce the effectiveness of the steering and brakes, or even cause the wheel well covers to come loose.

While ice and snow can sometimes be removed by hand or foot, using a rubber mallet, available even at 100-yen shops, is a more reliable method.

Deputy Editor Otsubo, a Hokuriku native, also advised me, someone, who moved from a non-snowy region, to always keep a snow brush (for clearing windows and the roof), a snow shovel and the rubber mallet in the car.

Looking back, I realized I had been neglecting the wheel wells entirely. I didn’t even know that the space between the tires and the body was called the “wheel well.” Without an explanation, I might have mistaken it for the name of a tire shop.

During this heavy snowfall, I witnessed a car’s wheel well cover come loose and get caught in the tire, making a crunching noise as it happened right in front of me at a traffic light.

(A note from the deputy editor of Hokuroku: The Self-Defense Forces’ life-hack tips continue on the next page. We’ll introduce ways to reduce windshield fogging, a common issue when driving on snowy roads.)

back to Contents