How to Prepare Your Car for Winter
When winter arrives with its harsh conditions of extreme cold, snow, ice, and road salt, it can really take a toll on vehicles. Getting your car properly prepared for brutal winter weather is important for both safety and preventing frustrating breakdowns when you need reliable transportation most.
Check and Charge the Battery
Cold temperatures make it much harder for batteries to hold a charge and provide the required power for starting engines. An older battery that’s just managing to get by during milder seasons likely won’t last through the draining effects of winter:
- Have the battery load-tested by an auto parts store to accurately check its cranking strength and reserve capacity.
- Clean any corrosion buildup on the cable connections and re-tighten for solid contact.
- Strongly consider replacing batteries over 3-4 years old before winter hits to avoid no-start issues.
- The people at Clore Automotive recommend keeping a portable battery charger for SUV or other vehicles in your vehicle in case you need to revive a dead battery.
Swapping in new batteries optimized for winter or using a charger can prevent headaches and being stranded by a no-start.
Invest in Quality Winter Tires
One of the smartest upgrades you can make for safe winter driving is purchasing a good set of snow tires. Unlike all-season tires, dedicated winter tires are made from special rubber compounds that stay soft and flexible even in freezing temperatures for vastly better traction.
Their deeper, more aggressive tread patterns with built-in biting edges and grooves also grip exponentially better on snowy and icy roads than standard tires. For drivers in regions that see frequent winter storms and slick conditions, a set of snow tires is an essential safety upgrade.
Have the Coolant System Flushed
Antifreeze does exactly what its name implies; it lowers the freezing point of your engine’s cooling system to prevent cracking and damage from expanding ice. But over time, that antifreeze can become diluted and its freezing protection severely diminished.
Having the entire cooling system power-flushed and refilled with a fresh 50/50 mix of new antifreeze and water is relatively cheap insurance against catastrophic engine failures and expensive repairs.
Install New Wiper Blades and Top Up Fluid
Maintaining good visibility is critical when driving in winter weather with snow, freezing rain, and ice. Get a fresh new set of wiper blades designed specifically for cold temperatures and ice resistance if your existing blades are getting worn, streaky and underperforming.
You will also want to top up your wiper fluid reservoir with a winterized washer fluid formulation that has a much lower freezing point than standard blue stuff.
Assemble a Winter Emergency Kit
It’s wise to put together a dedicated winter emergency kit to store in your vehicle loaded with essential supplies in case you get stranded or stuck. Stock it with items like:
- Bag of kitty litter or sand for adding traction if stuck in snow/ice.
- Collapsible shovel and durable brush/ice scraper tool.
- Jumper cables or a portable power pack.
- Warm emergency blankets, non-perishable snacks, bottled water.
- Road flares, reflectors, or warning triangles for visibility.
- Basic tools, work gloves, flashlight, first aid kit.
Having these winter emergency essentials on hand can get you out of a jam if stranded in rough conditions after an accident or breakdown.
Some Final Winter Prep Tips
A few final recommendations to fully winterize your ride:
- Get an oil change service using winter weight oil.
- Thoroughly examine all wiper blades and replace them if streaky or torn.
- Fill up all reservoirs with winter formulation washer fluid.
Conclusion
Taking some basic cold-weather precautions and winterizing your car means you’ll avoid unpleasant breakdowns and maximize safety while driving during those snowy, icy months ahead.
