📖 Table of Contents
Developer Warning: "This game is for players who already master the challenge of My Summer Car. Definitely not recommended for any player not familiar with the original installment."
My Winter Car features permadeath. When you die, your save is deleted. There is no second chance. Read this guide carefully before starting.
1. Survival Overview & Core Mechanics
My Winter Car is set in rural Finland, Winter 1999. Unlike My Summer Car's manageable summer conditions, winter introduces life-threatening survival mechanics that can kill you in minutes if mismanaged.
The Six Survival Stats
You must constantly monitor and manage:
Body Temperature
CRITICAL - Death in 10-15 minutesYour core body temperature. Dropping too low causes hypothermia and death. The most dangerous stat in the game.
Hunger
FATAL - StarvationMust eat regularly. Food available at Teimo's shop or Pub Nappo. Moose meat also provides sustenance. Learn more about earning money for food.
Fatigue
FATAL - Blackouts while drivingSleep requirement. Over-fatigue causes blackouts that shake your view - deadly while driving.
Stress
FATAL - Heart attack/breakdownIncreases from failures (inspection fail, traffic tickets). Too much stress kills.
Problem Bar (NEW)
NEW MECHANIC - Substance dependencyNew to MWC. Related to alcohol/substance use. Fills over time. Alcohol lowers it but creates dependency cycle.
Sweat
DANGEROUS - Accelerates hypothermiaOccurs when too hot (heavy clothes indoors, exercising). Wet clothing loses insulation, causing rapid temperature drop.
Permadeath functions identically to My Summer Car:
- Optional: Can be toggled off in settings
- When enabled: Any death deletes your entire save file
- No autosaves: Manual save by sleeping (skips 1 hour, not 2 like MSC)
- Recommended: Keep permadeath OFF until you master survival mechanics
2. Body Temperature System
The temperature system is MWC's most complex and deadly mechanic. Understanding it is essential for survival.
Temperature Bar Explained
Color Meaning: The bar's color represents environmental temperature you're currently in, NOT your body temperature.
Bar Fullness: How full the bar is shows your body temperature "reserve":
- Full bar: You start sweating (dangerous!)
- Half bar: Optimal temperature
- Empty bar: Cold shivers begin, hypothermia imminent
Developer Confirmed: In worst-case scenario (freezing weather + inadequate clothing), you will die from hypothermia in 10-15 real-time minutes.
This is FAST. Always monitor your temperature bar outdoors.
Temperature Factors
| Factor | Effect | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ambient Temperature | -30°C to +15°C | Most important factor |
| Clothing | Insulation value | See clothing section below |
| Exercise | Increases body heat | Running, working causes sweat |
| Vehicle Heater | +warmth when driving | Sorbett has heater controls |
| Indoor Heating | Radiators provide warmth | Set to 30°C for sleeping |
| Body Weight | Affects sweat rate | Heavier = sweat more easily |
The Deadly Sweat Mechanic
Developer Quote: "Getting too warm starts to turn into sweating, and that begins to decrease body temperature at faster rate."
⚠️ Death Scenario: Sweat-Induced Hypothermia
Common mistake: Player wears heavy coverall indoors (heated apartment/garage)
- Indoor heat + heavy clothing = temperature bar fills
- Player starts sweating
- Player goes outside still wearing wet coverall
- Wet clothing loses ALL insulation value
- Body temperature drops rapidly
- Result: Death from hypothermia in <10 minutes
Prevention: Remove heavy clothing before entering warm areas. Change into indoor clothes.
3. Clothing Strategy & Management
You start the game with three clothing sets. Choose wisely based on activity and location.
Clothing Types
Use when: Inside heated buildings (apartment, parents' house, Teimo's shop)
Properties:
- Minimal insulation
- Prevents overheating indoors
- No sweat risk in heated spaces
- WARNING: Will cause hypothermia outdoors in seconds
Use when: Light outdoor work, driving with heater, active movement
Properties:
- Moderate insulation
- Better sweat management - less likely to sweat during activity
- Good for temperatures -5°C to -20°C
- Recommended for car work in garage
Player Confirmed: "The jacket does a better job at reducing sweat but isn't as good for insulation."
Use when: Extreme cold, standing still outdoors, minimal movement
Properties:
- Maximum insulation
- Keeps body temperature stable
- High sweat risk - any activity causes rapid sweating
- Essential for -25°C and below
- DANGER: Remove before entering heated spaces
Player Confirmed: "A coverall keeps body temperature more stable, but with any physical activity or heat, sweat builds up quickly, reducing its insulation down to nothing."
Clothing Management Tips
Sweating indoors then going outside = death sentence
Allows quick changes based on situation
Best balance of warmth and sweat control
Below -20°C or when standing still outdoors
If bar filling = remove clothing before sweating starts
How to Change Clothing
- Equip: Look at clothing set on ground, press F
- Remove: Look straight down, press F
- Location: Can change anywhere, including inside vehicles
- Storage: Clothing sets are physical items - can be carried and placed
4. Hunger & Fatigue Systems
Hunger Mechanic
Hunger will slowly kill you if not addressed. Food sources are limited compared to MSC.
Food Sources
| Source | Availability | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teimo's Shop (PSK) | Daily | Varies | Primary food source - stock up! |
| Pub Nappo | When Teimo closed | ~30-50mk | Sausage with fries available |
| Moose Meat | Rare | Free | Solid food source if found |
| Drinks | Various | Low | Slightly reduce hunger |
- Buy 3-5 days of food at once from Teimo
- Keep non-perishables at both apartment and parents' house
- Pub Nappo is backup when Teimo closed
- Most drinks provide small hunger reduction
- Budget ~50-100mk daily for food - see Money Making Guide
Fatigue System
Fatigue is extremely aggressive in MWC. Players report needing sleep after only 10-12 hours awake.
Sleep Locations
- Bed (Parents' house): Best sleep quality, saves game
- Sofa (Apartment/Cottage): Must be in heated room, saves game
- Bench (Ventti house): Poor rest
- Gifu truck bed: Emergency only, poor rest
Critical Rule: If your body temperature is too low OR the room is too cold, you CANNOT sleep even with full fatigue.
Solution:
- Set radiator to 30°C (maximum)
- Wait 5-10 minutes for room to warm up
- Ensure you're wearing indoor clothing (not freezing)
- Try sleeping again
This is a common death trap - players get stuck unable to sleep, fatigue increases, they black out while driving.
Fatigue Blackouts
💀 Death Scenario: Fatigue Blackout Crash
- Player ignores red fatigue bar
- Continues driving
- Screen suddenly shakes violently - BLACKOUT
- Player must shake mouse violently to wake up
- During blackout, car veers off road
- Result: Crash into tree/ditch, vehicle damage or death
Prevention: Sleep BEFORE fatigue reaches red zone. If red while driving, pull over immediately.
Coffee & Energy Drinks
IMPORTANT CHANGE from MSC: Coffee is no longer unlimited fatigue cure.
- Coffee addiction: Drinking too much coffee increases your baseline fatigue rate
- Energy drinks: New alternative available at stores - reduces fatigue
- Strategy: Use coffee/energy drinks as emergency measure, not primary fatigue management
- Proper solution: Maintain regular sleep schedule
5. Your First Hour - Critical Actions
The first hour sets the tone for your entire playthrough. Follow these steps precisely.
You spawn at your apartment (not parents' house). Immediately:
- Check your stats - temperature, hunger, fatigue
- You're wearing indoor clothes - DO NOT go outside yet
- Find your jacket or coverall (should be in apartment)
- Check radiators - set to 25-30°C for now
The Sorbett is parked outside your apartment door.
- CRITICAL: Put on jacket or coverall BEFORE going outside
- Press C to unlock, click door to open
- UNPLUG BLOCK HEATER at front of car (orange cord)
- Get in, press Enter to start engine
Your windshield will be foggy/frozen. Learn these controls:
- Black button: Fan speed (Off / Low / High)
- Temperature dial: Heat level
- Direction toggle: Ctrl+zoom to see - aim at windshield
- Set to High fan, max heat, towards windshield
- Wait 1-2 minutes for visibility
Directions from apartment:
- Turn LEFT out of apartment complex
- Follow road until you see Pub Nappo at crossroads
- Turn LEFT at Pub Nappo
- Down the hill = Gas station/Teimo's shop (PSK)
DRIVE CAREFULLY: Roads are icy. Brake early, avoid sudden turns.
You start with ~1,000-1,500mk. Buy:
- 🍖 Food (3-4 days worth) - ~200mk
- 📰 Parts Magazine (15mk) - ESSENTIAL for Rivett parts later
- ☕ Coffee/drinks (optional) - ~50mk
- ⚡ Energy drinks if available - ~30mk each
Total cost: ~300-400mk
Inside PSK, on your RIGHT as you enter:
- Information board on wall
- Contains phone numbers including Rivett seller (08609553)
- Take a photo or write down numbers - you'll need them
BEFORE touching pump:
- Drive up to pump
- Get out
- Interact with RED MACHINE next to pump FIRST
- This is the prepay terminal
- Put in money (e.g., 50mk)
- THEN use pump to fuel
Common mistake: Trying to use pump without prepaying. Pump won't work.
Now decide: Apartment or Parents' House?
If you completed the above steps, you've survived the most dangerous first hour. You now have:
- ✓ Several days of food
- ✓ Parts magazine for future Rivett parts ordering
- ✓ Functional vehicle with heater
- ✓ Knowledge of critical locations (PSK, gas station)
- ✓ Understanding of clothing/temperature management
6. Common Death Scenarios & Prevention
Learn from others' mistakes. These are the most frequent ways players die in MWC.
💀 Death #1: Sweat-Induced Hypothermia
How it happens:
- Wear heavy coverall indoors while working on car in heated garage
- Start sweating (temperature bar overfills)
- Go outside still in wet coverall
- Clothing loses all insulation
- Dead in 5-10 minutes
Prevention:
- Use jacket (not coverall) for indoor car work
- Remove heavy clothing before entering heated spaces
- If you sweat, CHANGE CLOTHES before going outside
- Keep spare clothing sets nearby
💀 Death #2: Fatigue Blackout Crash
How it happens:
- Ignore red fatigue bar
- Continue driving to finish task
- Screen shakes - blackout begins
- Car veers off road during blackout
- Crash into tree/lake/ditch at 80+ km/h
Prevention:
- NEVER drive with red fatigue
- If fatigue goes red while driving, pull over IMMEDIATELY
- Sleep or use energy drink/coffee as emergency
- Plan your day to be near sleep locations before fatigue critical
💀 Death #3: Ice Road Drowning
How it happens:
- Drive on frozen lake roads
- Speed too fast or hit weak ice
- Car breaks through ice
- Cannot escape sinking vehicle
- Hypothermia or drowning
Prevention:
- Avoid lake ice roads in Early Access (mechanics not fully stable)
- If you must cross: slow speed, straight line, don't stop
- WARNING: If car goes under, it's GONE - cannot be recovered
💀 Death #4: Starvation Spiral
How it happens:
- Run out of food
- Too far from shop / shop closed
- Low money, can't afford food
- Hunger drops to critical
- Death from starvation
Prevention:
- Always keep 3+ days food at home
- Stock up when visiting Teimo - don't buy just 1 day
- Keep emergency money (200mk minimum)
- Know Pub Nappo location for after-hours food
💀 Death #5: Unable to Sleep Death Trap
How it happens:
- Fatigue reaches critical but room too cold to sleep
- Player doesn't know to set radiator to 30°C
- Fatigue continues building
- Player blacks out while trying to adjust radiator
- Falls, hits head, or blacks out in cold room
Prevention:
- Set radiators to 25-30°C BEFORE fatigue becomes critical
- If room too cold: turn radiator to max, wait 5-10 minutes
- Emergency: drink coffee/energy drink to delay fatigue while room warms
💀 Death #6: Stress Heart Attack
How it happens:
- Fail vehicle inspection (500mk fine, huge stress)
- Get multiple traffic tickets
- Rivett build not progressing
- Stress accumulates to critical levels
- Heart attack or mental breakdown
Prevention:
- Lower stress regularly: sauna, 120km/h+ driving, firewood chopping
- Alcohol lowers stress but affects Problem Bar
- Don't let stress accumulate to red zone
7. Housing Choice Strategy
You have two primary housing options. Each has significant pros and cons.
Option 1: Apartment (Spawn Location)
- Close to Teimo/PSK: 2 minute drive for food
- Close to gas station: Easy fueling
- Close to town services: Fleetari repair shop, inspection
- Faster save cycling: Less travel time = more saves possible per day
- Beginner friendly: Resources nearby
- NO GARAGE: Must build Rivett outside or in parking lot
- Cold work environment: Outdoor assembly = constant hypothermia risk
- No workshop space: Limited organization for 200+ parts
- Part storage harder: No protected area
Option 2: Parents' House
- GARAGE: Heated workspace for Rivett assembly
- Protected environment: Build car without freezing
- Large property: More storage space
- Better bed: Superior sleep quality
- Recommended for Rivett build
- Far from services: 10-15 minute drive to Teimo
- Fuel management critical: Can't let Sorbett run empty
- More dangerous: Further from emergency food/supplies
- Harder for beginners: Requires planning
Beginner approach (first 3-5 days):
- Stay at apartment while learning mechanics
- Make frequent trips to Teimo for supplies
- Once comfortable with survival, move to parents' house
Experienced approach:
- Move to parents' house immediately
- Stock up heavily on supplies (3-5 days food)
- Begin Rivett build in garage
Moving Between Houses
You can use both houses. Strategy:
- Keep clothing sets at both locations
- Stock food at both houses
- Choose primary base for Rivett build (parents' house recommended)
- Use apartment as "town base" for supply runs
8. Sustainable Daily Routine
Establish a rhythm to avoid survival crises. Here's a proven routine for long-term survival.
Morning Routine (Game Time 8:00-12:00)
Sleeping until naturally rested = better fatigue management
Temperature, hunger, fatigue, stress - plan day accordingly
Start day with full hunger bar
Lower to 20-25°C during day (save money)
Midday Work Period (12:00-18:00)
Take warm-up breaks every 30 minutes real-time
Don't wait until critical
Drive fast, chop wood, or sauna
Evening Routine (18:00-22:00)
Night driving more dangerous, harder to see ice
Ensures warm sleeping environment
Address any critical needs before sleep
Regular sleep schedule prevents fatigue buildup
Critical Rules for Daily Survival
| Rule | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Never let food stock drop below 2 days | Prevents starvation if Teimo closed or car breaks |
| Check gas tank before long trips | Running out of fuel far from station = death risk |
| Change clothes based on activity | Prevents sweat/hypothermia cycle |
| Save (sleep) at least once per day | Limits progress loss if you die |
| Never ignore red stat bars | Red = immediate death risk |
| Keep 200mk emergency money | Always able to buy food or fuel |
You're doing well if:
- Surviving 5+ game days without close calls
- Stats rarely enter red zones
- Steady income from jobs
- Making progress on Rivett build
- Can predict when you'll need supplies
- Haven't died to temperature in last week
📚 Related Guides
Survival is just the beginning. Master these other aspects of My Winter Car to thrive in the harsh Finnish winter.
This guide is based on: My Winter Car Early Access (Released December 29, 2025)
Last Updated: January 5, 2026
Verified Information: All temperature mechanics, clothing systems, and survival stats confirmed through developer comments (Toplessgun) and Early Access player testing.
Game is in active development. Survival mechanics may be rebalanced in future patches. Always verify critical information against current gameplay.
Community resources:
- Discord: Ask experienced survivors for real-time advice
- Reddit r/MyWinterCar: Share survival stories and tips
- Steam Community: Survival strategy discussions
- My Winter Car Wiki: Detailed stat mechanics
"Remember: in Finland, winter kills. But with knowledge and preparation, you can master it." - MWC Community