Snow Buildup in Wheel Arches: How to Prevent It

For many drivers who drive frequently in winter, snow packing in the wheel arches is a common and frustrating problem. The snow gets compacted and hardens, making it tough to remove. People try all sorts of methods—scraping with brushes, sticks, or other tools—but these can easily damage plastic wheel liners or scratch the paint on the fenders and door sills.

Some drivers don’t mind at all and just keep driving, even when the compacted snow in the arches starts interfering with full steering lock. Others spend time at the end of each day trying to knock out as much snow as possible.

In snowy weather, this can become a daily chore. Leaving it unattended can cause discomfort while driving over bumps and create annoying noises. In some cases, a chunk of ice can break off when hitting a pothole or a railroad track, potentially damaging the metal of the sill.

There is, however, an easy way to prevent snow from sticking in the wheel arches. The trick is to generously spray silicone lubricant onto the wheel arches, focusing on the areas where snow tends to accumulate. The plastic liners won’t be harmed. After spraying, simply spread the lubricant evenly with a cloth. That’s it. The snow will no longer pack into a solid mass. The effect lasts for a while, after which the procedure can be repeated.

It’s far better than scraping snow out every day—or ignoring the problem and driving with large, compacted snow deposits that could eventually break off and damage your paint.