Woman who lives in one of the coldest places on Earth shares the special processes they have to follow to drive cars at -95.8°F

Published on Feb 23, 2026 at 1:15 PM (UTC+4)
by Callum Tokody

Last updated on Feb 23, 2026 at 1:15 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by Ben Thompson

Surviving the coldest places on Earth requires a mandatory routine of winter car prep centered around industrial engine blankets and a heated garage.

In the Siberian region of Yakutia, temperatures plummet to -50°C, a point where synthetic oil can congeal into a thick paste.

The local atmosphere remains locked in a frozen fog so dense that drivers often navigate by memory rather than sight.

The real challenge begins when the sun goes down and the hardware faces a battle against total thermal collapse.

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Armor for the coldest places on earth

The physical modifications required for the coldest places on Earth involve a multi-layered approach to insulation.

Most owners glue an additional pane of glass over the exterior of their windshields to create a primitive form of double-glazing.

This prevents the interior glass from frosting over while the cabin heater is running.

Drivers also wrap their motors in thick, industrial-grade engine blankets to trap residual heat during stops.

A windproof shield usually covers the front grille to protect the radiator from the freezing air intake during movement.

These engine blankets serve as the primary defense against the engine block cooling to ambient temperatures.

This rigorous winter car prep is the only way to ensure the metal does not become brittle and snap.

Fuel consumption remains a significant factor in local logistics because many vehicles must idle for long periods to prevent freezing.

Without a heated garage, a car left stationary for even an hour can suffer from exhaust moisture freezing inside the tailpipe.

If the engine stalls under these conditions, the oil solidifies almost immediately.

Specialized local companies provide thawing services using industrial heat guns and thermal tents to gradually raise the vehicle’s temperature.

This process is necessary to avoid damaging the engine internals during a cold start attempt.

Even with meticulous winter car prep, the threat of a total mechanical freeze is a constant reality.

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Managing the deep freeze

A heated garage provides the most reliable protection for a vehicle’s battery and fluid systems during a Siberian winter.

Parking inside a heated garage ensures that the engine oil stays at a functional temperature for the next morning.

When a driver exits these facilities into the -95.8°F air, the temperature shock causes immediate frost to form on the car’s exterior.

Drivers typically wait for the cabin air to stabilize before navigating the frozen streets.

In the coldest places on Earth, access to indoor parking is a critical component of daily vehicle ownership.

Beyond the mechanical gear, the local driving culture operates on a strict code of mutual assistance.

Traveling between isolated villages involves crossing hundreds of kilometers of tundra where mobile phone signals do not exist.

In these areas, drivers always stop to check on any stationary vehicle they encounter.

This social habit provides a final layer of security when winter car prep or engine blankets fail.

Survival in this climate is the result of both specialized hardware and a shared responsibility among the people who drive these roads.

This combination allows life to continue in a region that would otherwise be impassable for half the year.

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Callum has vast and varied experience, presenting a radio show and founding his own magazine to name just a couple of his accolades. In addition to his role as PR & Partnerships Coordinator, liaising with the most prestigious car brands in the world, Callum also heads up the website’s daily news. When he's not at his desk he can be found testing out the ASMR and driving UX of the latest supercar and EV launches.