0

I rent in an urban area, so I don't own a shovel - weather almost never requires! But the East Coast got hit with an unusual storm, and my car is snowed in.

Is there a way to dig out my car without damaging it short of buying a shovel, to be used only once?

Ideas that come to mind: rent a shovel, using some kind of sharing network, ask a neighbor, pour hot water. I have called a few hardware stores (none rent) , can't find any share economy sites for this, and CL didn't have anything listed. Suggestions? Other info: hard snow, heavy, about a foot deep, ambient temp is ~ 40 F. Thanks!

|improve this question

closed as off-topic by Move More Comments Link To Top Jan 31 '16 at 19:44

  • This question does not appear to be about motor vehicle maintenance or repair within the scope defined in the help center.
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

  • 1
    Shovel rental?! Seriously? - What is the price to buy one? Do you think sharing/renting could be profitable in any way? Given that most people happen to need the shovel at the same time... – JimmyB Jan 31 '16 at 16:31
  • I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it's not about vehicle maintenance or repair – Move More Comments Link To Top Jan 31 '16 at 19:44
  • @Movemorecommentslinktotop Sure. You should probably close this other similar, highly up voted question by the same logic – anon01 Feb 1 '16 at 0:29
  • Use a bucket as an improvised shovel. – Hobbes Dec 14 '16 at 13:35
  • Poor COLD water, NOT HOT!!. If your windshield is sufficiently cold, hot water will crack it! – 3Dave Dec 15 '16 at 16:30
1

  • Door Mat Scoop - Depending on how compacted the snow is that surrounds your car, you may be able to get away with using a doormat as an improvised snow scoop. This would be a good option (assuming you have one), especially if the snow has not long fallen.

  • Car Towing - If you have access to another car (preferably four/all wheel drive), and you can access the car tow point you could use a tow rope to be able to apply a force to the car stuck in snow. Hopefully, this force will be enough to pull the car free before the wheels on the towing vehicle lose traction.

  • Hand Winch - Along similar lines as the towing situation, but without the need for another car, you can consider using a hand winch. You need a secure anchor point and again the ability to access a secure towing point on the car that is stuck. There is a good post about these here.

However, if I am correct in assuming that none of the above are a viable option for you due to your urban, and hence somewhat unprepared situation - you may also find some of these tips useful. I think that many of the tips I gave about how to get your car out of a snow bank would also apply to your situation because a lot of the points that were made there assumed that you had access to limited tools (though some didn't).

|improve this answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.