For most of the U.S.,
winter is on its way or has already made an appearance with a snowfall or two.
Winter can be a precarious season for driving, between ice storms, snow storms,
fallen leaves and more. But with a few basic maintenance steps, you can make
sure your car is road-ready, whatever weather may find you.
Prep Your Tires for
Winter
Your tires are very
important to your safety on the road and require routine maintenance, especially as seasons change. There are a few items
to check off your list before winter arrives:
- Check tire tread. Because winter roads can be so slippery, it’s important to make sure your tires have good traction. Check the tread on your tires to make sure it’s not too low and replace your tires if needed.
- Check your tire pressure. When the temperature drops, so will your tire pressure. Make sure your tires are in proper range and fill up with extra air if the pressure is too low.
- Consider snow tires. If you live in a particularly snowy or icy climate, you might opt for special winter tires. They may lower your gas milage but provide much better traction. You can swap them out at the end of the season.
Check Your Car’s Fluids,
Brakes, Battery, and Blades for Winter
Once you know your tires
are good to go, you should check other key components for your vehicle that
will keep it running smoothly in cold weather:
- Check your
fluids. Top off any fluids that may
need it, including antifreeze and brake fluid. You should also change out your
oil if it needs it, and consider purchasing winter washer fluid, which is less
likely to freeze in very cold temperatures.
- Inspect your brakes. Winter can be extremely hard on brakes, between slippery roads, salt and more. Make sure your brakes are in optimal condition and schedule any repairs or replacements that might be needed. Not sure if it’s time for a brake job? Here are six signs that your brakes may need replacing.
- Check your battery. Car battery functionality goes down in winter, and negative temperatures can make it harder for it to start especially if the battery is older. Test the battery with a reader to make sure it’s performing well and replace it if needed.
- Keep an eye on wiper blades. Ice easily wears down windshield wiper blades. Start the winter season out with a fresh pair and replace as needed – even consider keeping a spare set in your car in case you need new ones while on the road.
Prep Your Car for a
Winter Weather Emergency
Finally, there are a few last items to keep in mind to ensure you’re ready for winter:
- Pack an emergency kit. It’s good to be prepared for whatever may happen in case you end up stranded for a few hours or even a day. Make sure your car is packed with an emergency kit suitable for your particular needs and climate. Learn what to consider including in your kit in this article.
- Keep your gas tank half full. In cold weather, moisture can build up in your gas tank, which can wreak havoc on your vehicle long term. Do your best to always keep your gas tank at least half full to help prevent this.
Once your car has been
winterized, you can hit the road with confidence. If an accident happens on
icy, snowy roads, follow these safety tips to collect accident information, submit a claim,
and seek repairs.
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repairs over the winter or any time of year, Carwise can help you find the perfect shop near you. Search
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