Top 10 Ways to Winterize Your Car and Keep Yourself Safe

Winter’s wicked weather is a natural enemy to your vehicle. It destroys the exterior, interior and components if you don’t know how to protect them. That’s why we’ve created a handy guide on the ten ways to winterize your car so you can have additional peace of mind this season. These are the top 10 ways to winterize your car and keep yourself safe when the weather gets frightful.

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1. Wash It Well and Often

There’s nothing better than the satisfaction of having a clean car. Aside from the appearance, keeping it clean extends the paint’s life and protects your mechanical components from failure. Salty, snowy, rainy and dusty roads erode paint. Over time, it causes them to look aged and dull. If you don’t clean out the gunk it leads to a buildup of rust over time.

Even parking a car for the winter with dust and dirt on it can have a negative effect over the weeks and months of winter. Besides washing your car regularly, make sure you also protect the paint with a high-quality wax. A quick layer keeps the fluids rolling right off.

2. Install Winter Wiper Blades

It sounds obvious, but if you can’t see out the windshield while driving in heavy snow or rain, then you are in danger. That’s why it’s imperative you replace the wiper blades at the start of the season. Typically, you’ll need to install new ones every six months. If you live in a rainy climate, you might find it necessary to do it more often.

Watch for skid marks or scratching noises while the wipers are in motion. These are signs that you should replace them right away. Companies like Bosch make wipers specifically for snowy weather that are designed to withstand the weight of snow and the buildup of ice on your windshield. Some even make heated windshield wipers which last longer during freezing temperatures, so it might be worth upgrading if you desire.

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3. Gather an Emergency Supply Kit

You don’t want to think about unexpected emergencies, but they happen. The best thing you could do to winterize your car is gather everything you might need, just in case. We recommend having these items in the car.

• Tire pressure gauge

• Tire patch kit

• Jumper cables

• First aid kit

• Tire inflator

• Flashlight

• Water

• Blankets

• Phone charger

• Road flares

• Lug wrench

• Jack

• Snacks

• Kitty litter (for soaking up oil)

• Small shovel

• Ice scraper

• A heavy coat you can get dirty in

Pack a box or plastic tote with these inexpensive items and you will be prepared to tough out a bad winter incident while you wait for help, and you’ll be equipped to fix many common issues by yourself.

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4. Opt for Snow Tires

If you plan to drive in the snow on a regular basis, then snow tires will be your best friend. Some people think that having a four-wheel drive vehicle is enough, but we recommend pairing that with a quality set of tires as one of the best ways to winterize your car. Snow tires offer a stable ride and provide more traction. It’s definitely worth the investment.

Watch the pressure!

Keep in mind that a tire’s PSI drops one point every time the temperature goes down ten degrees. Older cars don’t come with a warning light, so we recommend checking tire pressures at least once per week in the winter. It’s also wise to invest in a portable inflator for quick adjustments.

Once the temperatures rise, you’ll want to switch back to regular tires for better fuel economy and adjust your pressures accordingly.

5. Check and Replace the Fluids

Whether you have your maintenance done at a shop or you do it yourself, when you winterize your car it’s the ideal time to check all your fluids and replace as necessary.

Here are the two most crucial things to consider:

• Oil – It’s recommended to switch to thinner oil when you live in regions with freezing temperatures.

• Wiper fluid – you need a fluid that’s freeze-resistant to ensure you see clearly.

Of course, there are several more fluids to keep an eye on. We’ll get to those in a minute.

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6. Don’t Forget About Your Battery

When you winterize your car, the battery should be one of the first things you think about. Your engine requires a good battery to get it going in the winter. It might take longer to crank in the winter if you have a weak battery. Take the time to inspect the terminals, fluid and cables for any sign of wear. You want the terminals to fit tight and there shouldn’t be any loose connections.

If the fluid level in the battery is low, make sure you refill it with some distilled water. Some batteries tell you the charge level through the built-in hydrometer. Otherwise, you’ll need a handheld hydrometer to tell you how much voltage is remaining.

Alternatively, take your battery to an auto parts store and have it tested for free.

7. Inspect the Four-Wheel Drive

Why winterize your car when you have four-wheel drive? Many people think that’s all you need, but they’re wrong. Yes, the four-wheel drive does provide you with better traction during snow, but it needs to work correctly. That’s why inspection of the system is critical.

To winterize your car with four-wheel drive, you want to have all the systems engaged and give it a test. It’s also vital that your differential and transmission fluids are adequately filled so they flow correctly in cold temperatures.

8. Check the Coolant Mixture

We briefly touched on fluids earlier, but this one requires a little extra attention when you winterize your car. The mixture of your water and antifreeze should be 50:50. This keeps the coolant from freezing in your radiator. If you purchased a composition fluid, you could check it with a tester sold at the auto parts store.

9. Inspect your Hoses and Belts

Cooler temperatures weaken hoses and belts. That’s why you need to check them over well when you winterize your car. Look for any signs of wear and replace if needed. The last thing you want is to have a belt snap while you drive. If that happens, you’ll be stuck on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck and it probably won’t be very warm while you wait.

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10. Don’t Let the Gas Tank Drop Below Half Full

This isn’t just a ploy to sell more fuel; fuel level sensors can get sticky in cold weather and could misreport your fuel level. Furthermore, a full tank reduces condensation. This keeps your gas lines from freezing up on you. Plus, if you do get stranded, don’t you want the warmth of your heater keeping you cozy while you wait? Your running engine can make that happen for you.

This is a Good Opportunity to Get Everything in Order

Taking the time to winterize your car is one of the best things you can do to protect your family on the road. Disaster strikes at any time and you’ll want to make sure you are prepared. These steps won’t eliminate breakdowns and malfunctions, but they offer you the chance to catch trouble before it causes disaster. Ensure a smooth ride through the winter with these steps.

If something is amiss with your car’s paperwork, now is the time to make it right. Dirt Legal can get you a new title and license plates in a matter of weeks with minimal effort on your part! Prepare your car to be fully road ready when the weather gets nice again. Click the button below to learn more.

We are not attorneys. This article is not legal advice. Cover image source