Hey, fellow survival sim fans and car enthusiasts! If you’re searching for a My Winter Car beginner guide or Day 1 walkthrough in this brutal new Early Access hit, you’ve come to the right place. Released on December 29, 2025, My Winter Car—the winter sequel to the cult classic My Summer Car—has exploded on Steam with over 21,000 peak concurrent players on launch day and 97% overwhelmingly positive reviews from thousands of users.
This unforgiving Finnish survival game drops you into 1999 with a finicky daily driver (the Sorbett), icy roads, hypothermia risks, and a project car (the Corris Rivett) to build from scratch. Permadeath is real—if you crash without a seatbelt or freeze, it’s game over. Inspired by popular playthroughs like Raptorian’s hilarious first-day struggles, this complete My Winter Car Day 1 guide helps you survive On January 1st, start your Sorbett, make essential phone calls, visit the PSK gas station, buy the Corris Rivett, and reach your parents’ house without raging.
No spoilers beyond basics—this game shines through discovery. Let’s master the cold and hit the snow-covered roads. Buckle up!
Why My Winter Car Is the Most Frustrating (and Addictive) Survival Game of 2025
Imagine My Summer Car‘s janky realism, but with short winter days (usable light from ~9 AM to 6 PM), block heaters to prevent engine freeze, and a constant battle against the cold. You’re a broke young adult in the city, far from your parents’ rural house on the familiar map.
Players love (and hate) it for the immersion: realistic driving physics, unpredictable AI traffic sliding into ditches, speed cameras issuing mailed fines, and police pulling you over for breathalyzers or no seatbelt. Peak concurrency hit 21,226 players shortly after launch, blowing past the original’s record.
Pro tip: Master My Summer Car first if possible—this sequel expects you to know the ropes.
Step 1: Wake Up in Your Apartment—Don’t Freeze Right Away
January 1, 1999. You’re hungover from New Year’s in a messy apartment.
- Equip winter clothes immediately: Look down near the exit door for the jacket and pants on the floor. Press F to equip. (Hold F on the floor indoors to unequip.) This slows body temperature drop dramatically outside.
- Check your stats (top-left HUD): Hunger, Stress, Urine, Fatigue, Cash on hand (~20-40 marks), Bank balance, Body Temp, Sweat, and the “Problem” bar (alcoholism/tobacco addiction—starts rising fast).
- Turn on heat: Crank apartment radiators to 20-30°C and flip power on. Leave doors open? Electricity bills soar.
- Notepad on wall: Useful for jotting info later.
Quick Tip: Press P to pee anywhere for a quick save. Outhouses or watching TV also save but increase fatigue.
Step 2: Starting the Sorbett—Your Daily Driver in the Cold
Your petrol-powered Sorbett hatchback is plugged into a block heater outside. Windows are iced over—defrost properly, or you’ll crash blindly.
- Unplug the block heater: Approach the front grille, right-click the cable, and drop it.
- Get in: Visibility is zero at first—that’s normal.
- Insert and turn the key: Click the ignition slot.
- Use the choke: Pull fully out (left/right click), crank the engine, then push back in.
- Defrost the windows:
- Temperature dial: Scroll all the way left (hot/red).
- Direction: Adjust for balanced arrows (up/down).
- Rear window heater: On.
- Blower fan: Click twice for max—listen for the whoosh. Idle 3-5 minutes.
- Buckle your seatbelt: always—cops fine you otherwise.
- Driving controls: Defaults include G/B for gears (check pause menu). Tap the handbrake to release if stuck.
- Dashboard gauges: Fuel (right-side tank, varies per save), economy, speed, clock, engine temp.
Warning: The sorbet stalls easily in extreme cold. Plug it in every night, or the battery dies. No major maintenance needed yet.
Fuel Note: Even a quarter tank gets you to the parents’ house and back.
Step 3: Essential Phone Calls (Do This While Defrosting)
Head back inside. Use the wall phone—dial with the keyboard numpad only.
| Job/Unlock | Number | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Car Seller (Corris Rivett) | 08-609553 | Listen to the FULL conversation (he rambles). Unlocks map pin and purchase option. Costs ~500 marks. |
| Post Office (Ad Delivery Job) | 08-231206 | Easy money—flyers delivered to your apartment for distribution. |
The mapMap updates with the seller’s location after the car call.
Step 4: PSK Gas Station – Fuel, Food, and Shopping
Drive out (powerful reverse gear helps). Head toward Pub Napo, then continue to the massive PSK Peräportti station on the ring road.
- The firstFueling: Prepay at the red kiosk (cash or card). Green nozzle for petrol. First PIN entry sets it permanently—remember it!
- Pro Tip: Prepay 100-300 marks depending on tank level. Prices fluctuate.
Inside the Station:
- ATM: Check/withdraw from bank (~2400 marks start).
- beer, andFood: Burgers, sausages, pizza, coffee (reduces fatigue), beer, energy drinks.
- charcoal, andShop: Cigarettes, kilju ingredients (bucket in apartment bathroom), charcoal, basic car parts.
- Cafe: Order hot meals—staff prepares them.
- Gambling: Slots, video poker, lotto.
- Magazine (15 marks): Parts catalog for ordering Rivett components later.
Stock up on food and grill supplies for both homes.
Step 5: Buying the Corris Rivett Project Car
Follow the ring road south. Watch speed—radar catches over 80 km/h.
Location: Cream-colored house with red barn and white shed. Seller waits outside (daylight only).
- Pay ~500 marks.
- parts areInspect shed: Bare shell with VIN plate. Random parts included (engine block/head usually present; others vary).
- Grab loose parts if they fit in the Sorbett.
Uncle’sTransport Tip: Use uncle’s Kekmet tractor later for towing/hauling.
Step 6: Parents’ House and Uncle’s Kekmet Tractor
From seller: Right at intersections, left after tight curves/telephone poles.
- Yard: 50 kg sandbags for trunk traction.
- Garage: Max radiators, jerrycan (~10% petrol), tools, grill, and parts catalogs.
- Uncle’s nearby (shared mailboxes): Kekmet tractor (diesel, choke start), firewood chopping setup, empty trailer—perfect for Rivett transport.
Parents’ note: Keep the house warm, or the pipes will freeze. Stop drinking!
Step 7: Surviving Night 1
- Eat/grill food.
- Sauna: Heat stove, throw water on rocks (reduces stress).
- Sleep: Set alarm early; house must be warm.
- Plug/idle Sorbett; stash Rivett parts.
Day 1 Goal Achieved: Jobs unlocked, Rivett purchased, houses stocked.
Advanced Survival Tips for My Winter Car
| Stat | How to Manage |
|---|---|
| Body Temp | Clothes + heaters/car idle. Unequip indoors to avoid sweat. |
| Problem Bar | Drink water cycles and pee; beer/smoke as temporary fixes. |
| Police/Tickets | Seatbelt, under 80 km/h, no drinking. |
| Icy Roads | Sandbags, slow turns, headlights at dusk. |
Embrace the frustration—deaths lead to funny stories. Future updates promise ice fishing, more vehicles, and secrets.
Final Thoughts: Grab My Winter Car on Steam Now
This “lazy genius” indie gem captures harsh Finnish winter life perfectly. With massive launch success and constant updates, it’s a must-play for survival fans. Search no more—this guide has you covered for Day 1.
What killed you first? Share tips below! Stay warm out there.
