# Clean off your WHOLE car you lazy bastards!! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 9, 2004, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-off-your-whole-car-you-lazy-bastards/223697 "2004-01-09T19:13:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Some\_User\_Name](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Some\_User\_Name](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Some_User_Name)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2004, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-off-your-whole-car-you-lazy-bastards/223697/41 "2004-01-13T20:50:31Z")
First, cleaning all your windows, headlights, taillights, etc, is a very, very, very good idea. I’m all for it, personally. It must be a regional thing. Around here, people very rarely do more than scrape their non-glass surfaces of snow; it blows off quickly and harmlessly. (If you find that you can’t see because of someone’s snow plume, you’re probably following way to close.) Of course, if it’s crusted, icy snow, then you’d have to be way more carefull about it. I’ve asked two co-workers about it, and both of them thought I was crazy for even asking; they’d never heard of it either. We primarily get light, fluffy snow; normally, a good snowfall is about 2-4". We’ve gotten as much as 1 1/2 ’ of snow at a time before, but not this year (yet). ---
**Author:** ![MaggietheCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@MaggietheCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaggietheCat)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2004, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-off-your-whole-car-you-lazy-bastards/223697/42 "2004-01-13T21:38:02Z")
I live in Colorado. If you are involved in an accident and have not thoroughly cleaned the snow off the car, you can be given a ticket for that and it may affect the investigating officer’s conclusion on who was at fault. The police will not pull you over solely for not cleaning your car (though I wish they would), but it could be a factor if something else happens. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2004, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-off-your-whole-car-you-lazy-bastards/223697/43 "2004-01-13T21:47:18Z")
If you’re concerned about the finish of your vehicle, get a [Snow-Brum](http://autodetailproducts.com/snow-brum/). They work great, don’t damage the finish, and really make fast work of clearing your whole vehicle, including the roof. If you can’t reach the roof of your vehicle, use a stool or get a shorter vehicle. If you choose to ignore this advice, you’re an inconsiderate asshole. Regarding the comment: “If you find that you can’t see because of someone’s snow plume, you’re probably following way to [sic] close,” I routinely see snow plumes on the highway that expand to cover **both** lanes and extend back more than 50 feet, which makes it impossible to pass the offending vehicle. :mad: Oh, and **peritrochoid** , it’s not the “light dusting” on one’s windshield that’s the issue. It’s the vision-obscuring whiteout while driving down the highway from the lazy asshole up ahead. Both of you, **peritrochoid** and **Mac Guffin** , can go fuck yourselves. ---
**Author:** ![netscape\_6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/8c91f0/32.png) [@netscape\_6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/netscape_6)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2004, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-off-your-whole-car-you-lazy-bastards/223697/44 "2004-01-14T04:10:46Z")
You know it’s been my experance that usually the people who are blinded by the snow coming off the car ahead of them are TAILGATORS. Try backing off. ---
**Author:** ![peritrochoid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@peritrochoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peritrochoid)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2004, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-off-your-whole-car-you-lazy-bastards/223697/45 "2004-01-14T06:26:44Z")
I was merely stating where I stand on the issue … my **opinion** and **preferences**. I knew full well that not everyone would agree, but, you know, using this as an excuse to whip out your four letter words and call me a troll is a sure-fire way to bring me round to your way of thinking. Nice try, though. And _I’m_ the asshole here? :dubious: Que sera, sera … On the up side, I’ve found more than a few superb sig lines in this thread. Cheers! ---
**Author:** ![Algorithm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/algorithm/32/12204_2.png) [@Algorithm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algorithm)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2004, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-off-your-whole-car-you-lazy-bastards/223697/46 "2004-01-14T06:58:00Z")
When your **opinion** and **preferences** potentially endanger other people’s lives, you have to expect more than simple disagreement. Especially since the one reason you’ve stated for causing such a situation (protecting the finish on your car) can quite easily be resolved. ---
**Author:** ![TeaElle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@TeaElle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeaElle)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2004, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-off-your-whole-car-you-lazy-bastards/223697/47 "2004-01-14T06:59:51Z")
Lessee, yes, the answer is yes. Picking the sanctity of your car’s holy paint finish over the safety of the occupants of every other car you encounter on the roads does, indeed, make you a dyed in the wool, A number one, prime grade, 100% USDA choice asshole. ---
**Author:** ![flodnak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/838e76/32.png) [@flodnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flodnak)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2004, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-off-your-whole-car-you-lazy-bastards/223697/48 "2004-01-14T07:45:48Z")
> [@MaggietheCat](#): > > The police will not pull you over solely for not cleaning your car (though I wish they would), but it could be a factor if something else happens. In Norway they can and will. I’ve seen it happen, and I cheered as I drove by. ---
**Author:** ![sturmhauke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@sturmhauke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sturmhauke)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2004, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-off-your-whole-car-you-lazy-bastards/223697/49 "2004-01-14T16:26:59Z")
I have a question for you non-snow-removal people. What happens when the snow laden car passes another car? Merges into traffic? Cuts someone off? If you still think it’s acceptable to let crap fall off your roof onto other people’s cars, maybe you should take the bus. ---
**Author:** ![Atrael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Atrael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atrael)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2004, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-off-your-whole-car-you-lazy-bastards/223697/50 "2004-01-15T17:59:22Z")
Oh please…I lived in Northern Indiana, and Ohio for most of my life, I don’t clean all the snow off, and don’t give a fig it others don’t either. If you’re used to driving in the snow, then you should be aware that snow might fly off the vehicle in front of you ,and drive accordingly. Maybe it’s different in Colorado, and some of the very heavy snow states, but I have never heard of a law that requires someone to clear all the snow off their vehicle. And in all the time living and driving in those places, I never knew anyone that had their car damaged by flying ice shards from a car in front of them. Or seen an accident caused by it. While I’ve seen snow plumes that do indeed cover a lot of distance, they never last more than a few moments, and it’s no worse than a heavy snow storm. So adjust your driving accordingly. What’s next? “Uh, his tires throw up water onto my windshield, make him stop”…buncha whiners. ---
**Author:** ![Dob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Dob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dob)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2004, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-off-your-whole-car-you-lazy-bastards/223697/51 "2004-01-15T20:22:05Z")
from **Atrael** > [@](#): > > And in all the time living and driving in those places, I never knew anyone that had their car damaged by flying ice shards from a car in front of them. Or seen an accident caused by it. While I’ve seen snow plumes that do indeed cover a lot of distance, they never last more than a few moments, and it’s no worse than a heavy snow storm. So adjust your driving accordingly. What’s next? “Uh, his tires throw up water onto my windshield, make him stop”…buncha whiners. Self absorbed much? Dick. Maybe you and **petro** should exchange emails to find who is the bigger asshole. And since you have never seen or heard of an accident involving flying snow/ice, read [this](http://www.seacoastonline.com/2001news/2_26_e1.htm) The dickhead who killed that girl migh have avoided if he had taken an extra 5-10mins to clean off his hood. And I wont complain about water from your tires as you cant help with water on the road. But you can help with clearing the snow off your hood dick. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2004, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-off-your-whole-car-you-lazy-bastards/223697/52 "2004-01-15T20:48:07Z")
> [@Dob](#): > > The dickhead who killed that girl migh have avoided if he had taken an extra 5-10mins to clean off his hood. Not that I disagree with you but that ice didn’t come from his hood. ---
**Author:** ![Dob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Dob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dob)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2004, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-off-your-whole-car-you-lazy-bastards/223697/53 "2004-01-15T20:57:52Z")
> [@](#): > > Not that I disagree with you but that ice didn’t come from his hood. ack…the roof. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Rizree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/977dab/32.png) [@Rizree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rizree)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2004, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-off-your-whole-car-you-lazy-bastards/223697/54 "2004-01-16T14:44:36Z")
If sheets of snow falling off other cars are hitting your car, then **YOU ARE FOLLOWING TOO CLOSE FOR WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS ANYWAY!** ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2004, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-off-your-whole-car-you-lazy-bastards/223697/55 "2004-01-16T15:12:17Z")
> [@Rizree](#): > > If sheets of snow falling off other cars are hitting your car, then **YOU ARE FOLLOWING TOO CLOSE FOR WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS ANYWAY!** Are you self-absorbed people actually paying attention to this thread? Apparently not–from **Dob** ’s [link](http://www.seacoastonline.com/2001news/2_26_e1.htm) above: > [@](#): > > …She died when a 9-foot piece of ice flew from the top of an 18-wheeler into the windshield of a state truck traveling in the opposite direction. The driver of the state truck lost control of his vehicle, which plowed into Jessica’s car, killing her. There are multiple ways in which failure to clear your vehicle can cause problems for those around you. My issue is the people driving down a perfectly clear, plowed freeway with a foot of snow on their roofs, spewing a plume of snow that spreads out to both lanes in excess of 50 feet behind them. ---
**Author:** ![Rizree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/977dab/32.png) [@Rizree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rizree)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2004, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-off-your-whole-car-you-lazy-bastards/223697/56 "2004-01-16T15:23:40Z")
Are you supposedly non-self absorbed people not reading the articles your citing? > [@robby](#): > > …She died when a 9-foot piece of ice flew from the top of an \*\*\*18-wheeler \* \*\* into the windshield… You may notice it says it was an 18 wheeler, NOT a car. ---
**Author:** ![Kiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Kiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiger)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2004, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-off-your-whole-car-you-lazy-bastards/223697/57 "2004-01-16T15:41:52Z")
> [@Rizree](#): > > If sheets of snow falling off other cars are hitting your car, then YOU ARE FOLLOWING TOO CLOSE FOR WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS ANYWAY! > > Are you supposedly non-self absorbed people not reading the articles your citing? > You may notice it says it was an 18 wheeler, NOT a car. Go back and read my story, you ass. I was sitting still at a light. Was I following “too close”? I guess you’ll say it doesn’t matter because it was off a truck. What difference does it make?? I’ve seen ice fly off the roof of a car and smash the windshield of a car in the next lane over. How about him? Was he following “too close” as well?? How hard is it to clean your car off? I’m 5’1" and drive a 1/2 ton pickup truck that I can’t reach the roof of, but I climb up in the bed and sweep the snow off from up there. Obviously, you, **The Most Important Person in the World** shouldn’t have to deal with such petty trivialities. :rolleyes: It’s called common courtesy - something that is sorely lacking lately. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2004, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-off-your-whole-car-you-lazy-bastards/223697/58 "2004-01-16T17:09:03Z")
> [@Rizree](#): > > Are you supposedly non-self absorbed people not reading the articles your citing? > > You may notice it says it was an 18 wheeler, NOT a car. I’m sorry, let me rephrase my own personal pet peeve: “My issue is the people driving their _vehicles_ down a perfectly clear, plowed freeway with a foot of snow on their roofs, spewing a plume of snow that spreads out to both lanes in excess of 50 feet behind them.” “The term _vehicles_ is hereby defined to mean automobiles (to include coupes, sedans, hatchbacks, station wagons, sports cars, etc.); light trucks (to include sport utility vehicles, hybrid vehicles, cargo vans, passenger vans, minivans, and pickup trucks [especially those with caps]); large trucks (to include tractor trailers/tandem trailers/semi-trailers, and all other articulated and non-articulated lorries); as well as auto homes, house trailers, motor homes, ambulances, hearses, livery vehicles, buses, school buses/school pupil transport vehicles; and all other motorized wheeled conveyances.” :rolleyes: As long as I’m noticing things, it’s “you’re” (not “your”), as in “you are.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-off-your-whole-car-you-lazy-bastards/223697.md?page=2)