As the leaves start to change, it’s time to think about getting your car ready for freezing temperatures and snow. There’s still time to enjoy the autumn weather, but it’s never too early to get your vehicle ready for the coming cold. To ensure you do everything necessary to prepare, we’ve compiled an easy-to-follow list of dos and don’ts of prepping your car for winter. That way, you won’t have anything to worry about when that first snowflake falls.
The Dos
To start this list, we’ll go over the things you should do ahead of the coming winter months. While you can do some of these things after the temperature has dropped, it’s better to do it all now so you don’t have to set multiple reminders.
Wash and Wax Your Car
One of the best places to start is with a wash and wax. You can wash your car in winter, but it’s not ideal. Water can get trapped in the nooks and crannies of your vehicle, freezing and causing the exterior of your car to crack or warp. Washing your car now will allow you to give it a deep clean without worrying about these issues.
Once your vehicle is clean, follow it up with a good wax. Once again, this isn’t something you’ll want to do in the freezing cold, but a wax covering will protect your vehicle from harsh winter elements. Not only will it shield your car from the snow and ice, but it will also help protect it from road salt. This will keep your car looking great for years.
Clean and Protect Your Battery
The next thing you’ll want to do is check your battery. Corroded terminals are never good, but they are even more troublesome in the colder weather and can make it impossible to recharge your battery. To fix this problem, disconnect the battery, and use a wire brush or another rough cleaning tool to remove the corrosion.
Once you’ve finished that, protect your battery from future corrosion until you have to do this again next year. A simple terminal protectant spray should do the job. After you’ve applied that, reconnect your battery, and you’ll be good to go.
Remember, if you’re not comfortable working with car batteries, it’s always best to ask a professional for help. Safety first!
Check Tire Thread Depth and Pressure
Tire condition is one of the most important things to check before winter comes around. Without traction, icy roads will be impossible to navigate. The first thing to check is the tread depth. In most states, it’s illegal to let them get below 2/32 of an inch, but, ideally, you shouldn’t let them get below 4/32. That way, you can ensure a better tire grip. If your tires are below this range or very close to it, consider buying a new set.
You’ll also want to check your tire pressure while you’re at it. The ideal pressure level varies depending on your car, so check the inside of your driver’s door to see what level you should fill them to. Most gas stations have air pumps you can use to bring them up to recommended levels.
Regularly Maintain Your Vehicle
In addition to your battery and tires, general car maintenance is also critical during the winter. Most notably, you must keep up with oil changes. Colder weather can make oil flow more slowly, which can put stress on your vehicle. Replacing oil more often should help combat this.
On top of that, be sure to fill your gas tank as often as you can. Freezing temperatures can cause fuel lines to freeze, which might keep your car from starting in the morning. If you use your vehicle regularly or have a heated garage, this shouldn’t be a big issue, but it never hurts to fill it up before parking for the night.
Pack an Emergency Kit
While the chance of needing one will be low if you take the above steps, it’s never a bad idea to pack an emergency kit for your car. These are good to have any time of the year, but they’re critical during the winter since you could get stranded in below-freezing weather. Some important items to include in this kit are:
- jumper cables
- a flashlight
- a first aid kit
- a portable charger
- a small shovel
- warm clothes
- blankets
It also wouldn’t be a bad idea to include a small tool kit in case you can fix your car’s issue yourself. Include anything else you might need in an emergency, as well.
The Don’ts
Now that we’ve covered what you’ll need to do to prepare your car for the winter, let’s go over some of the don’ts.
Leave Liquids or Electronics in Your Car
Now is the best time to remove any liquids or electronics from your car that aren’t winterproof. This includes items like water bottles and laptops or tablets. Some of these items are easy to forget or lose between the seats, so take the time to scour your vehicle for them.
Failing to do this can lead to unfortunate results. For example, water bottles that are too full could break open once they freeze and melt all over your car the next time you drive. As for electronics, their components can freeze up and become damaged, making the devices unusable.
Overlook the Value of Winter Tires
While tire replacements are only critical if the treads aren’t deep enough, you should never overlook the value of winter tires. While purchasing a new set of tires will have a higher upfront cost, the money it’ll save you over the years will more than make up for it.
First, you won’t have to replace your everyday tires as often because they’ll get a break during the wintertime. Also, we can’t forget about the value of being safer on slick roads with a set of winter tires. Just make sure you find a reliable wheel and tire company to buy them from. That way, you can rest easy knowing you have a quality set of winter tires.
Forget To Keep Your Car Lubricated
It shouldn’t come as a surprise, but your car’s parts will not move as fluidly in the winter as they do in the summer. While uncommon, some of these parts can lock up and stop working properly. That’s why you must ensure to lubricate your car before winter arrives.
Focus on areas such as your car’s window tracks, door locks, weather stripping, latches, and hinges. To ensure the continual operation of these parts, apply a layer of lubricant across them at the start of the season. This should also help keep them from freezing up on colder days. Unlike many other things on this list, this is something you might have to do a few times throughout the winter, so be sure to keep up with it!