Starting out in My Winter Car can be overwhelming. You’re thrown into a harsh Finnish winter with a car to build and a body to maintain. This guide covers the essential basics you need to know to get started, from staying warm and fed to understanding new mechanics and finding work.
Heating the Cabin and Defrosting the Windshield
First, turn on the ignition. Then, activate the windshield heater (“Window Weather”) and set the fan (“blower”) to the second speed. Set the air direction (“Direction”) to the blue zone and the temperature (“Temperature”) to the red zone. This combination will effectively heat the cabin and clear your windshield.
How to Refuel Your Vehicle
Drive to the new gas station located at the edge of town and park at either pump 1 or 2.
- Payment is made at the terminal to the right of the pumps. Approach it.
- The screen will say “Welcome.” Insert your bank card or cash.
- After inserting your payment, select the amount of money you want to spend on fuel.
- The terminal will prompt “Enter your password.” You can enter any 4-digit number, as there is no set password. Press the “ENT” button.
- A “Card confirmed” message will appear. Take your card back from the terminal.
- Do not walk away. Wait for the “Select pump” prompt. Choose the pump number where your car is parked (Pump 1 is left, Pump 2 is right).
- The message will change to “Start refueling, you have 2 minutes.”
- Pick up the fuel nozzle, approach your car’s fuel cap, and refuel. You’re done.
Staying Warm and Fed
Cold: When you first start the game, you are inside your house. Before going outside, find the warm clothes on the floor and put them on to avoid freezing. You can take them off indoors by looking at the floor and pressing F. Both your new house and the old house from My Summer Car have space heaters. Food: Food is no longer sold at Teimo’s. You must buy it at the new gas station. Teimo’s shop is now just a bar, where you can purchase coffee, beer, rations, and vodka.
The New Needs System
Your character has several needs tracked by meters on the screen:
- PROBLEM – Alcoholism/Thirst
- HUNGER – Hunger
- STRESS – Stress
- URINE – Need to urinate
- FATIGUE – Fatigue
- CASH – Money
- BODY TEMP – Body Temperature
- SWEAT – Sweat
Managing Alcoholism
The mechanics of alcoholism aren’t fully clear yet, but drinking beer will reduce the PROBLEM meter. From personal experience, alternating beer with water or milk also seems to help lower the meter. Rotating drinks is likely the best way to manage it.
Finding Work
- Flyer Distributor: An ad says, “Easy money! Become a flyer distributor in the Perjärvi region. Driver’s license welcomed. Call us! 08231206.” Go home, use the telephone, and dial that number. Note: This job does not start immediately after calling.
- Packager: Go to the office located past Fleetari’s. Inside, you’ll see Suski, the administrator. Press K to talk to her. She will direct you to a worker in another room. Talk to him (K) to learn your work schedule. After his explanation, you will sign a contract. Once hired, you can later complain about your pay.
The Rivett Car
A classified ad reads: “Corris Rivett for sale. Good condition, suitable for restoration. Some rust. Includes 2 cylinder heads. Cheap price. Contact: 08609553 /Reijo.” Go to your home phone and dial 08609553. You will agree to buy the car for 500 marks. Important: During the call, ensure you wait until the seller finishes talking and a dart icon appears on the left side of your map. The seller is located where the firewood buyer was in My Summer Car.
Fleetari’s & Rivetta Parts
Fleetari sells parts for the Rivetta, though many are expensive. His current inventory includes:
- Generator – 445 mk
- Fuel Pump – 240 mk
- Head Gasket – 132 mk
- Water Pump – 199 mk
- Thermostat – 59 mk
- Starter – 825 mk
- Distributor – 399 mk
- Auxiliary Shaft – 749 mk
- Rocker Set – 529 mk
- Bearing Set – 795 mk
- Camshaft – 545 mk
- Piston Set – 1750 mk
- Crankshaft – 8500 mk
- Clutch Disc – 180 mk
- Rally Camshaft – 1495 mk
- 4-Barrel Racing Carburetor – 7900 mk
- Twin Carburetor – 1225 mk
- High-Performance Fuel Pump – 975 mk
- High-Quality Alternator – 1645 mk Additionally, the old house from MSC (now fully yours) contains tools and a parts catalog for the Rivetta.
Road Cameras
Be careful: speed cameras are now installed on paved roads. If you exceed the speed limit, the camera will flash (you’ll see a white light) and take a photo of your license plate. Avoid speeding fines.
The Alarm Clock
A new alarm clock mechanic has been added. Here’s what we know:
- The “Time Set” option on the top left sets the wake-up time. Press F to adjust it.
- The switch on the opposite side turns the alarm on/off (also using F). The assumed function is that you set the time you want to wake up, go to sleep, and the alarm will sound at that time to get you up for work.
Summary
This guide covered the critical first steps in My Winter Car: managing your car’s basic functions like heating and refueling, understanding your character’s needs (especially food, warmth, and alcoholism), finding initial jobs for income, and purchasing your first project car, the Rivett. We also noted important new features like speed cameras and the alarm clock. Focus on these fundamentals first, and you’ll have a much stronger foundation for tackling the game’s deeper mechanical and survival challenges.
More Guides:
- My Winter Car: How to Quickly Warm Up Your Car and Defrost the Windows
- My Winter Car: How to Obtain the Corrisa Rivett
