Preparing Your Vehicle for Winter: A Step-by-Step Guide
Slick winter weather can lead to treacherous driving circumstances and boost the probability of accidents. It's crucial to master driving in winter conditions and learn winter emergency preparations. However, your vehicle too needs to be ready for the challenge. One of the vital maintenance tasks includes servicing the vehicle and switching to winter-grade, lower-viscosity oil. This ensures your engine stays well-lubricated as temperatures drop and decreases the chances of car damage. Before winter arrives, there are several tasks you should complete to get your car prepared. Here are expert tips on how to ready your car for winter to ensure your safety in colder weather conditions.
- *Alex Mario*, personal injury attorney at the Carter Mario Law Firm
- *Jeramy Sibley*, president of Glass Doctor, a Neighborly company
Ensure tires are winter-adequate
Well-maintained tires are essential for ensuring traction and grip on wet, snowy, or icy surfaces. Therefore, it's important to check tire depth and treads before temperatures drop. Keep a close eye on air pressure and wheel alignment as well. "Ensure your tires are winter-ready, not too worn out, and properly inflated," advises Alex Mario, personal injury attorney at the Carter Mario Law Firm. "Worn-out tires will decrease traction, and underinflated or overinflated tires are more likely to burst. Both situations are invitation for disaster." You can find the recommended tire pressure in your car's user manual or inside the driver's side door.
If you live in a region that experiences freezing winter temperatures, consider installing winter tires and ensure your spare tire is likewise winter-ready. The rubber compounds in non-winter tires generally harden when temperatures consistently stay around or below freezing. Winter tires are designed to resist hardening, thereby providing better traction in icy or snowy pavement.
Inspect the brakes
Brakes are a crucial component of vehicle safety. During winter, they need to react quickly to sudden stops and starts. "Get your brakes inspected around this time of the year," Mario suggests. "Thin brake pads or low brake fluid could be the difference between stopping a catastrophe."
Additionally, monitor the belts, hoses, spark plugs, wires, and cables. While these could fail any time of the year, you particularly don't want to be stranded in freezing temperatures. Also, check your lights (signal lights, high beams, and blinkers) to ensure they're functioning correctly, and replace bulbs or fuses if necessary.
Install winter wipers and washer fluid
Snow, sleet, ice, road salt, and rain can dirty your windshield, significantly reducing visibility.
For icy areas, swap regular wipers for heavy-duty winter-specific ones equipped with rubber that prevents ice from forming on the blades. Remember to replace the washer reservoir with winter-grade washer fluid that withstands freezing. A single snowstorm can drain the reservoir, so refill it frequently to avoid running out in the middle of a storm. If you're unsure whether the washer fluid is suitable for low temperatures, add antifreeze to the reservoir.
“Check your windshield for any cracks and fix them before the weather gets cold," adds Jeramy Sibley, president of Glass Doctor, a Neighborly company. "Extreme temperatures can cause the crack to expand rapidly.”
Test car batteries
A dead battery can be a hassle in the winter. "Cold weather can drain batteries," says Mario. "Testing your battery at the start of the winter season can give you some peace of mind and prevent a breakdown on the side of the road." The risk of your car breaking down during winter increases if the battery already has issues. A battery with a minimum of 600 cold cranking amps (CCA) is ideal for optimal winter performance.
Corrosion buildup on battery posts and terminals can lead to hard starting issues in cold weather, preventing your charging systems from recharging the battery. Properly maintaining your battery terminals by cleaning them and applying a battery terminal protectant spray is another essential task in preparing your car for winter.
Check the cooling system
Coolant is a mixture of water and antifreeze that circulates around your engine to cool it down. You need an appropriate coolant-to-water ratio to protect against corrosion and potential freezing. Consult a technician or mechanic to determine your car's specific requirements before winter.
Keep the gas tank at least half full
Cars consume more fuel in heavy traffic conditions and while heaters are running inside the car. Thus, a full tank ensures you don't run out before reaching your destination. A full tank also reduces condensation, preventing fuel line freeze-ups. If you're stranded in the winter, you can keep the engine running to stay warm until help arrives.
If you're using an electric or hybrid vehicle, remember to map out unfamiliar routes so you always know where you can recharge.
Inspect the weatherstripping
“Repair or replace [the weatherstripping] to keep heat in and cold air out,” Sibley adds. You can lubricate window tracks to prevent freezing water from seeping in and creating drag. Applying silicon lube onto your door, locks, and latches can help keep freezing air from entering the car.
Pack a winter safety kit
Crises can occur at any time, making it wise to keep your vehicle equipped with various items that can assist in managing a car breakdown or accident during winter's harsh conditions. Sibley advocates for keeping an ice scraper, snow brush, shovel, road signs, flashlight, first aid kit, jumper cables, and extra gas in your car.
Furthermore, Mario suggests stocking your vehicle with food, water, and additional warm clothing. To ensure you can navigate slippery roads, keep sandbags or cat litter in your trunk.
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- Life in winter can be challenging for both drivers and their vehicles, requiring extra care and maintenance to ensure safety on the roads.
- Including winter-ready tires, inspected brakes, and adequate windshield wipers and washer fluid, are essential preparations that can significantly improve your driving experience and safety during cold weather.
