Welcome to My Winter Car! This brutal Finnish winter simulation doesn't hold your hand. Learn how to survive your first 30 minutes, master the Sorbett, buy the Corris Rivett, and avoid the most common beginner mistakes. Step-by-step tutorial verified for Early Access.
My Winter Car has NO built-in tutorial. The game explains nothing and expects you to learn through trial and error (and death). This guide will save you hours of frustration. Read before playing!
🎯 Quick Start: Follow the First 30 Minutes Checklist below step-by-step. Don't skip steps or you'll break things.
Follow this checklist in order. Each step is critical. Skipping or reordering causes problems.
You've survived the critical first 30 minutes. You have:
Next steps: Start a job for money → Order parts → Begin Rivett assembly
Once you master basic controls, check our Racing & Tuning Guide for performance driving techniques, rally strategies, and Rivett optimization tips.
If manual transmission is too hard, enable auto-clutch in settings (F1). This removes the need to use X when shifting gears.
The number row (1234567890) does NOT work for phone calls. You MUST use the NUMPAD on the right side of your keyboard. If you don't have a numpad, you may need to remap controls.
The Sorbett 1600 LTD (based on Talbot 1510) is your daily driver. It's parked outside your apartment, already plugged into a block heater. For detailed vehicle specs and maintenance, see our Vehicles Guide. Here's how to start it properly:
If you drive with the block heater cable attached, you will rip it out and damage your car. Always unplug at the FRONT of the car before getting in.
When parked at home: ALWAYS plug it back in! If left unplugged overnight, the oil freezes and the car won't start.
Your windshield will be covered in ice. Two methods:
Start heater first, then manually scrape while it warms up. Gives you 50% visibility in 1-2 minutes instead of waiting 5 minutes.
Drive slowly, especially on turns. Brake BEFORE corners, not during. Use engine braking (downshift) instead of brakes when possible.
The Corris Rivett (based on Ford Taunus TC) is your main project car. It costs 500mk and requires precise steps to purchase. After buying, see our complete Rivett Build Guide for assembly instructions.
Drive to PSK gas station. Inside, look for the job board on the right wall (past the automatic sliding doors). You'll see an advertisement with a phone number.
The Corris Rivett seller's number is: 08609553
You can skip the PSK visit and call directly from home if you already know the number.
08609553This is the #1 mistake. If you hang up before the seller finishes talking, the map marker WON'T appear. You'll have to call again. Be patient!
When you arrive:
The Corris Rivett comes as:
The Rivett cannot be driven (no engine!). You need to TOW it using vehicles from our Vehicles Guide:
Many players tow it to parents' house instead of apartment because of the motor hoist in garage (essential for engine assembly).
After buying the Rivett (500mk), you still need:
Start a job IMMEDIATELY to earn money. See our Money Making Guide.
My Winter Car is set in January 1999 Finland. Temperature is around -24°C. Cold kills.
Without heat sources, hypothermia can kill you quickly. Never venture outdoors without the winter jacket!
| Stat | What It Does | How to Manage |
|---|---|---|
| HUNGER | Affects energy and stamina | Buy food at PSK. Eat sausages, meals at café. |
| THIRST | Dehydration affects health | Drink water (apartment sink) or beverages from PSK |
| PROBLEM | Alcoholism meter (NOT thirst!) | Drink beer/vodka to lower it. See Problem Bar explanation and Survival Guide |
| FATIGUE | Affects ability to work | Sleep in bed (also saves game) |
| STRESS | Affects mental state | Sauna, smoking, drinking |
| URINE | Bladder pressure | Press P anywhere |
There is NO autosave. The ONLY way to save is:
Save frequently! Death = lose all progress since last sleep.
Pressing P (urinate) also triggers a quick save. Use this when you're far from home and want to save progress.
Result: Ripped cord, damaged car
Prevention: ALWAYS unplug at front of car BEFORE driving. Make it a habit!
Result: Corris Rivett quest doesn't trigger, map marker won't appear
Prevention: Wait until you hear beeping tone / line goes dead. Be patient!
Result: Phone calls don't work, orders fail
Prevention: ONLY use NUMPAD for all phone dialing. Number row (top of keyboard) doesn't work.
Result: Can't save game, lose progress
Prevention: Set bedroom radiator to 30°C. Leave on at least half the day.
Result: Crash, death, loss of progress
Prevention: ALWAYS scrape or heat windshield before driving. Zero visibility = guaranteed crash.
Result: Crash or police fine
Prevention: Press L to turn on headlights after sunset. Check dashboard indicator.
Result: Wasted trip, fuel, time
Prevention: Only visit during daytime. He won't spawn at night.
Result: Oil freezes, car won't start in morning
Prevention: ALWAYS plug in block heater when parking at home overnight.
Result: Hours of progress lost on death
Prevention: Sleep in bed regularly. Game ONLY saves when you sleep. Use P for emergency quick save.
Result: Locked out of bank card
Prevention: First PIN you enter is PERMANENT. Choose something you'll remember. No way to reset in-game!
You've survived the tutorial. Now what?
A: Controller support exists but is limited in EA. Many actions (like scraping windows) are easier with mouse. Keyboard is strongly recommended.
A: You'll need to remap phone controls or use an on-screen keyboard. NUMPAD is required for phone calls in default settings.
A: With 100+ parts needed, expect 20-30 hours of real-time work for a first build. Experienced players can do it in 10-15 hours. Follow our step-by-step Corris Rivett Build Guide to minimize trial and error.
A: NO for first playthrough! Permadeath deletes your save on death. Learn the game with normal mode first.
A: Apartment is too cold. Turn on bedroom radiator to 30°C and wait for room to warm up.
A: Did you plug in the block heater overnight? If car was left unplugged, oil froze. See Troubleshooting Guide.
Continue your My Winter Car journey with our comprehensive guide collection
Essential for new players. Learn delivery jobs (400-800mk/run), office work (steady income), and wood cutting to fund your Rivett build.
Next step after buying the shell. Complete 200+ parts assembly walkthrough with camshaft timing, electrical wiring, and first start procedures.
Learn Fleetari shop hours, AMIS catalog usage, and Classifieds ordering system. Master phone ordering to avoid common mistakes.
Deep dive into the six survival stats. Understand Problem Bar alcoholism mechanic, clothing strategies, and death scenario prevention.
Fix common issues: Sorbett won't start, phone ordering failures, Rivett engine problems, and Early Access bugs with verified solutions.
Detailed breakdown of all 6 vehicles. Learn when to use Sorbett vs Kekmet, towing strategies, and vehicle-specific maintenance tips.