How to Drive & Master Car Basics in My Winter Car (January 2026) Guide

Updated by Sunny Kaushik
January 1, 2026
Gaming

My Winter Car isn’t just a game—it’s a brutal Finnish winter survival simulator where your car is both your best friend and worst enemy. Having spent countless hours frozen at the wheel, I’ll teach you everything from defrosting your windshield to mastering manual transmission in this unforgiving winter wonderland.

Quick Reference: Essential Driving Controls

Action	Control	Category
Enter Driving Mode	Return/Enter	Player
Start Engine	Hold LMB on Ignition	Vehicle
Shift Up	G	Vehicle
Shift Down	B	Vehicle
Handbrake	Space	Vehicle
Clutch	X	Driving
Throttle	W	Driving
Brake	S	Driving
Turn Left	A	Driving
Turn Right	D	Driving
Window Heater	Dashboard Button	Vehicle

Understanding Your Sorbet: Your Winter Lifeline

The Sorbet 1600 LTD is your trusty daily driver—a 1980s 5-door hatchback based on the French Talbot 1510. This isn’t some modern luxury vehicle; it’s a basic, reliable workhorse that’ll get you through the brutal Finnish winter if you treat it right.

Technical Specifications

Engine: 4-cylinder inline, 72 hp, 130 Nm torque
Transmission: 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Top Speed: 200 km/h (theoretically)
Special Features: Block heater, window defroster, manual choke

The Sorbet comes equipped with everything you need to survive: foldable rear seats for hauling parts, a decent-sized trunk, and crucial winter features like the block heater and window defroster. Trust me, you’ll thank the developer for including these when it’s -30°C outside.

The Morning Ritual: Defrosting Your Car

Before you even think about driving, you need to see where you’re going. Finnish winters don’t mess around, and your windshield will be completely frozen solid.

Step-by-Step Defrosting Process

Enter the Car: Get in and press Enter to enter driving mode
Insert Key: Hover over the ignition and press LMB once
Activate Window Heater: Look to the right of your dashboard for the square “Window Heater” button. Press it until the yellow light comes on
Max Out the Blower: Below the window heater, find the blower control. Press it twice for maximum power
Set Temperature: Use the scroll wheel to set temperature to maximum (it should default to high)
Manual Scraping: While the heater works its magic, exit the car and manually scrape the windows. Hover over the windshield until you see the “Scrape Window” prompt, then hold LMB and move your mouse up and down

Pro Tip: Focus on scraping the driver’s window and left side of the windshield first. This gives you just enough visibility to get moving while the rest defrosts.

The window heater takes about 5 real minutes (1 in-game hour) to completely clear the rear windshield. Don’t wait for perfection—clear what you need and get moving before you freeze to death.

Starting the Engine: The Cold Start Challenge

Starting a car in My Winter Car isn’t like other games. This is a realistic simulation of cold weather engine starting, and it requires patience and technique.

The Complete Cold Start Sequence

Unplug Block Heater: Before driving, unplug the block heater cord from the front of the car. Forgetting this will rip it out, and you’ll be sorry
Enter Driving Mode: Press Enter/Return
Pull the Choke: Look to the left of the steering wheel for the choke knob. Pull it out fully
Insert Key: Press LMB once on the ignition to insert the key
Start Engine: Hold LMB on the ignition while giving it slight gas
Warm Up: Let the engine run for a minute or two
Push Choke In: Slowly push the choke back in using RMB as the engine warms

Critical Survival Tip: Always plug in the block heater when you park at home. If you don’t, the oil freezes and your car won’t start. The block heater is literally the difference between driving and walking through a Finnish blizzard.

Mastering Manual Transmission

If you’ve never driven a manual car in real life, you’re about to learn. My Winter Car doesn’t hold your hand with automatic transmissions—you’re shifting gears the old-fashioned way.

Gear Pattern and Usage

Gear	Purpose	When to Use
R	Reverse	Backing up
N	Neutral	Idling, stopping
1	First Gear	Starting from stop, slow speeds
2	Second Gear	City driving, 20-40 km/h
3	Third Gear	40-60 km/h
4	Fourth Gear	60-80 km/h
5	Fifth Gear	Highway speeds 80+ km/h

Driving Technique

Release Handbrake: Press Space or click the handbrake
Select First Gear: Press G until you’re in 1st gear
Accelerate: Press W to apply throttle
Shift Up: As RPMs rise, press G to shift to the next gear
Shift Down: When slowing down, press B to downshift
Braking: Press S to brake, downshift as needed

Important Note: Even when in reverse, you still use W for gas, not S. This trips up many players used to standard WASD controls.

The game includes auto-clutch by default, but if you want the full manual experience, use X for the clutch. Just remember that stalling is very real and very frustrating in freezing temperatures.

Advanced Driving Techniques for Winter Conditions

Driving in My Winter Car isn’t just about knowing the controls—it’s about understanding how to handle a vehicle in treacherous winter conditions.

Winter Driving Survival Strategies

Maintain Momentum: On snowy roads, it’s better to keep moving slowly than to stop and start. The Sorbet handles surprisingly well in snow, but getting stuck is a death sentence.

Smooth Inputs: Avoid sudden acceleration, braking, or steering. Make all your inputs gradual and smooth to maintain traction.

Use Lower Gears: When climbing hills or driving through deep snow, stay in lower gears to maintain torque and control.

Watch Your Temperature: Keep an eye on the engine temperature gauge. If it gets too high, you might have a blockage in the radiator from ice buildup.

Emergency Preparedness: Always carry basic supplies in your trunk. You never know when you’ll break down in the middle of nowhere.

Understanding Your Car’s Systems

The Sorbet comes with several systems you need to master for winter survival.

Climate Control Mastery

The climate control system is more complex than it appears:

Blower Settings:

0: Vents closed
Arrow DOWN: Air to cabin
Arrow UP & DOWN: Air to cabin AND windows
Arrow UP: Air to windows only

Temperature Control: Use the scroll wheel to adjust temperature. In winter, you’ll want it on maximum heat most of the time.

Warning Lights and Gauges

Your dashboard provides crucial information:

Oil Pressure Light: Serious engine issue—stop immediately
Battery Light: Electrical system problems
Temperature Gauge: Watch for overheating
Fuel Gauge: Don’t run out in the middle of nowhere
Speedometer: Up to 200 km/h (good luck reaching that)
Fuel Economy Gauge: Red = poor, Yellow = moderate, Green = good

Common Problems and Troubleshooting

Even experienced players run into issues. Here’s how to handle the most common problems:

Car Won’t Start

Check Block Heater: Is it plugged in? This is the #1 cause of no-starts
Battery Dead: Too much cranking drains the battery
Out of Fuel: Check the fuel gauge
Choke Position: Make sure the choke is pulled out for cold starts

Overheating Issues

Check Radiator: Ice might be blocking airflow
Low Coolant: Check coolant levels
Thermostat Issues: Might be stuck closed

Stalling Problems

Choke Usage: Too much or too little choke can cause stalling
Clutch Control: Practice smooth clutch engagement
Fuel Issues: Check fuel quality and levels

Survival Beyond Driving

Remember, My Winter Car is a survival game first and a driving simulator second. Your character’s needs matter just as much as your car’s.

Managing Your Character

Stay Warm: Your apartment has radiators in every room. Turn them on and set to 30°C if you want to sleep properly.

The “Problem” Stat: Your character is an alcoholic. You need beer or booze to keep this stat down. Water won’t help much.

Basic Needs: Don’t forget hunger, thirst, and fatigue. A dead driver can’t operate a vehicle.

Making Money

You’ll need cash for car parts and survival:

Flea Market: Rent a table near the inspection shop and sell junk you find Jobs: Check the job board at PSK (gas station) for work opportunities Firewood Delivery: Good money if you have access to a truck

Pro Tips from Experienced Players

After hundreds of hours in Peräjärvi’s winter wonderland, here are the tips that separate survivors from statistics:

Always Save Before Long Trips: The game can crash, and losing progress hurts more than the cold
Keep Spare Parts: Carry essential tools and parts in your trunk
Learn the Map: Getting lost in a blizzard is deadly
Master the Block Heater: It’s your best friend in cold weather
Practice Manual Shifting: Spend time in an open area getting comfortable with the transmission
Watch Weather Reports: Plan trips around clear weather when possible
Keep Your Phone Charged: You’ll need it for calling jobs and services

Looking Ahead: The Corris Rivett Project

While the Sorbet is your reliable daily driver, the real goal is building the Corris Rivett (based on a Ford Taunus). This project car requires:

Purchasing the Frame: Check the notice board at PSK for the ad
Calling the Seller: Use your numpad to dial the number
Finding the Firewood Guy: He’s at map location 9
Towing It Home: You’ll need the tractor (Kekmet) or truck (Gifu)

Building the Rivett is a long-term project that requires patience, resources, and mechanical knowledge. But when it’s done, you’ll have a truly custom machine that’s uniquely yours.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I defrost my car windows quickly?

Turn on the window heater (yellow light) and max out the blower. While it works, manually scrape the driver’s window and left windshield area. The rear window heater takes about 5 real minutes to clear completely.

Why won’t my car start in the morning?

The most common cause is forgetting to plug in the block heater. Always plug it in when parking at home. Other causes include dead battery from too much cranking, being out of fuel, or incorrect choke usage.

How do I drive manual transmission in My Winter Car?

Use G to shift up and B to shift down. Start in 1st gear, accelerate with W, and shift up as RPMs increase. Use X for clutch if you disable auto-clutch. Remember to use W for gas even when in reverse.

What’s the best way to make money early game?

Check the job board at PSK for delivery or office jobs. You can also rent a flea market table and sell junk you find around the map.

How do I stop stalling the engine?

Practice smooth clutch engagement with the X key. Make sure you’re using the choke correctly for cold starts—pull it out when cold, gradually push it in as the engine warms.

Can I change the controls?

Yes! Press ESC in-game to access settings. Most controls can be remapped to your preference, though some essential controls cannot be changed.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of driving in My Winter Car is no small feat—it’s a brutal, unforgiving, yet deeply rewarding experience that separates the casual players from the true survivors. From the essential morning ritual of defrosting your windshield to the delicate dance of a cold start and the satisfying click of a perfectly timed gear shift, every skill you’ve learned here is crucial for your survival in the frozen Finnish landscape.

Remember, the Sorbet is more than just a car; it’s your lifeline. Treat it with respect, understand its quirks, and it will carry you through the harshest conditions. The block heater is your best friend, smooth inputs are your secret weapon, and patience is your greatest virtue. Don’t be discouraged by stalled engines or frozen locks—each failure is a lesson learned.

The frozen roads of Peräjärvi are waiting. Now that you have the knowledge, it’s time to get behind the wheel, apply these techniques, and prove you have what it takes to not just survive, but thrive. Embrace the challenge, learn from your mistakes (and there will be many), and soon you’ll find yourself navigating the treacherous roads not just with competence, but with confidence.

For those who love this level of detailed realism, be sure to explore our list of the best real-life simulation games for more immersive experiences. If you crave the thrill of driving but want something a bit more high-octane, check out our guide to the best PS5 racing games.