Snow Booger Season in Michigan: What You Should Never Do

You know that icy sludge that builds up in your car's wheel well in the winter? What do you call it? I've heard it called Fender Bergs, Sludge Pack, Road Slobber, and Ice Sloop, but most Michiganders I've spoken with call it Snow Boogers. Regardless of what you call them, you may want to think twice about kicking them off.

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While we all love giving the boot to the snow chunk hanging from our vehicle, Cars.com isn't a fan and recommends a different removal method.

Why Kicking Snow Boogers Off Cars Can Get Pricey

The experts at Cars.com say going full ninja on Snow Boogers can mess up your wheels, sensors, and even your gas mileage. While they recommend removing the sludge, they say when you kick them off forcefully you run the risk of knocking off the tiny weights that keep your wheels balanced.

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Aside from messing with your car's equilibrium, unless your feet have the accuracy of Jake Bates kicking a Detroit Lions field goal from 50 yards out, you could end up causing some significant body damage with your roundhouse Snow Booger crane kick.

How to Safely Pick Your Car's Snow Boogers

Snow Boogers happen, and you shouldn't be ashamed to be seen picking them in public, but you should follow the proper etiquette. Cars.com recommends using your ice scraper to take them off, which doesn't seem like half as fun as chunking off the sludge with your foot, but it's safer and potentially less expensive than costly repairs.

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The real fix? Get your car a bath, but going to a car wash in the middle of Michigan's winter is a direct challenge to Mother Nature, who will ensure your door freezes shut. It's a crapshoot, for sure. Just know those boots were made for walking, not Snow Booger removal.