Winter is Here; Is Your Vehicle Ready?

One pleasant thing about living in the Deep South is that winters are typically pretty mild. That being said, weather can still be unpredictable and winter driving can be challeging when conditions get bad. Here are some tips for preparing your vehicle for winter driving to keep you safe and your ride in good condition.  

Check the battery. A car’s 12-volt battery will have only about half the cranking power at 0° F that it has at 80° F. To make sure it’s healthy enough to work in the cold, you can have the battery tested at a service station, an auto parts store or a repair shop. A tired battery may only need to be charged, but if it’s defective or old and just worn out, it’s best to replace it before it goes completely dead. Worst case: Be sure you know how to jump-start a car.

Replace wiper blades. Even the best-performing wiper blades start to lose their effectiveness after one year. In especially tough climates, they can need replacing in as little as six months. Streaks or missed expanses of glass are sure signs that the blades are ready for retirement. Sometimes, you can stretch their life by cleaning the rubber edge of the blade periodically with a paper towel and glass cleaner, but it isn’t safe to do that all winter long. Instead, get a new set of blades before the old ones become a problem. We recommend replacing wiper blades at least once a year. Most wiper blades are easy to install, and some stores, such as Advance Auto Parts, will perform the replacement work free of charge, provided you buy the replacement inserts there.

Lubricate door locks. If you still use a key to get into your car, the lock cylinder can accumulate moisture and freeze during winter, locking you out of your car. Use a silicone lubricant to clean the lock—most auto parts stores sell a special device that fits into the keyhole.

Check engine oil and coolant. Cold weather can beat up your engine, too. Motor oil thickens when cold, making it harder for the engine to turn over. Check your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommended oil type. Generally, you should be using multi-viscosity oil that has a "W" in the viscosity index, signifying that it’s formulated for winter use. Typical formulas that are recommended for modern engines include 0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30, and 10W-30, which provide good oil flow at low temperatures and can often be used year-round. Whenever you have the oil changed, replace the oil filter as well to ensure the system has the maximum amount of flow.

While the car is in the shop, also have the radiator and heater hoses checked for cracks, leaks or contamination from oil or grease. The hoses should be firm yet pliable when you squeeze them. Replace them if they feel brittle or overly soft.

Keep your coolant mixture topped off with a 50/50 ratio of antifreeze and water—most auto parts stores sell it premixed. This will keep your coolant from freezing until temperatures are well below zero. Colder conditions, however, can call for a 60/40 or 70/30 ratio. Under no circumstances should you use a higher antifreeze-to-water ratio than this.

Consider new tires. Spinning out in the snow and ending up in a ditch isn’t the best way to discover that your tires are worn out. If you’ve been waiting to pick up a new set of tires, don’t delay. Your safety depends on good tire traction, and winter-grade tires tend to be in short supply when winter hits. 

If your area gets occasional snow, a new set of all-season tires should do the job. Remember that it’s safest to replace all four tires at one time. If you live where snow and ice are ever-present, consider buying all-weather tires. These combine the advantages of all-season and dedicated winter tires, but without the need to change tires seasonally. Dedicated winter tires have tread patterns and rubber compounds designed to grip snow and ice for optimum traction on cold, slick roads, but they have a shorter tread life and generate more road noise than all-season tires. They can be mounted on inexpensive steel wheels, although these can cause the car’s tire pressure monitoring system to malfunction.

Even if your tires are in good shape, make sure you keep them properly inflated. Cold weather means your tires will lose pressure, because air contracts as the temperature drops. Also, make sure you know how to change a tire on your car.

Keep a roadside emergency kit in the car. This should include gloves, a blanket, a portable shovel, an ice scraper/snow brush, a flashlight, flares/warning light, a safety triangle, a reflector vest, a basic first aid kit, a cell phone charger and jumper cables. Also consider carrying a portable jump starter. If you live in a place where it snows a lot, you should also pack an extra winter hat, extra clothing layers, a rain poncho, a bag of sand, and a full-sized snow shovel.

Know your roadside assistance options. Check with your car insurance or credit card companies to see whether they offer roadside assistance in an emergency. You might have a plan with AAA, or with your car’s manufacturer if it’s still new. Whatever the case, storing those numbers in your phone is a good way to make sure you can call for help quickly if you’re in a jam. You don’t want to be waiting for websites to load while your car is stuck in inclement weather.

Clean snow, ice and salt grime from the car. Be sure to clear your vehicle’s hood, roof, trunk/liftgate, and windows before you drive, using a brush with soft bristles to avoid scratching the car’s paint. This will improve visibility and prevent large chunks becoming airborne as you speed down the highway. Plus, ignoring your car’s snow load could cost you. Several states, including Connecticut and New Jersey, can fine you if you don’t clear the snow off before driving. Also, don’t forget to check your headlamps and taillights; they could be covered in snow, ice, or road salt, reducing their effectiveness.

Don’t let the gas tank get low. Keeping a half tank or more of gas limits the moisture that can condensate in the tank. It also means you’re well positioned to tough out an unexpected traffic jam or survive being stuck.

Use winter-grade windshield cleaner. These are specially formulated to stay fluid, even in the coldest weather. Slick roads are often treated with a salty solution, salt crystals, and/or sand to provide traction. This "wintry mix" can really hurt your visibility when it’s splashed onto your windshield, especially when you’re driving into the sun. Also check that your car has enough wiper fluid, and even keep an extra bottle in the trunk in case you run out.

Information from Consumer Reports was used in this article.