I live in the Northeast, too, so I totally feel your pain! Winters can be rough. Luckily, it’s super easy to remove ice from your wheel well.
Hit it with a hammer: This method is about as basic as it gets. Just grab a recoilless (or “deadblow”) hammer and smack the ice on the outer edge or inner rim of the wheel well. If it doesn’t break free immediately, move on to another method—you don’t want to leave dents.
Use a hammer and chisel: This method only works if you have room to fit a hammer and chisel inside your wheel well. Try breaking the ice at the very top of the wheel well—if you crack the “arch,” the rest of the ice should fall away fairly easily.
Melt it: If at first you don’t succeed, grab a propane torch. If possible, place a piece of leather across the top of the tire to protect it, and hold the torch at an angle, so the melting ice doesn’t drip directly into the flame. Don’t melt all the way through; just make the ice thin enough to crack it with a mallet.
Of course, the best option is to prevent ice from ever forming in the first place. There are plenty of deicers on the market, but you can also use a mixture of antifreeze and dish detergent in a pinch. Even if it doesn’t completely stop ice from forming, it will help it release more easily.
While you’re getting your car ready for winter, don’t forget to review your insurance. Icy roads can cause dangerous driving conditions: the right insurance will keep you covered, no matter what happens.
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