There's little worse than standing in the cold, snow up to your ankles, peering under the hood of a car whose engine won't turn over. If you have the option, it's best to park under a carport--or better yet, in a garage--to keep your vehicle protected and avoid this scene altogether. However, if you are stuck scraping ice and facing a stubborn engine, a simple hairdryer can come to the rescue.
Buy a hairdryer that will work for you. It is possible to find a 12-volt hair dryer that will plug directly into a cigarette lighter in the vehicle. If you plan to use this method primarily in your driveway, a regular hairdryer with an extension cord that will reach into the garage will work.
Pop the hood of your car and turn the hairdryer onto high heat. Direct the flow of hot air across the engine. Hold the hairdryer close, less than 12 inches away from the engine, and move it back and forth across the engine.
Continue warming the engine for several minutes using this method. Try the engine. If the engine still fails to turn over, repeat for several more minutes.
