Is Your Car Ready For Winter? Simple Winterization Steps for Motor Vehicles

Winter is almost here so you can say goodbye to things like stifling temperatures, humidity, and high cooling bills. You can break out the sweaters, boots, and even flannel. The cooling temperatures also mean it’s time to start getting your vehicle ready for winter. 

To keep running at its very best all year round, your vehicle needs a little extra attention before winter. So, what are the key steps for winterizing motor vehicles that you need to take? You’re probably likely assuming that you need to do a little more than just parking your vehicle in a covered location—which is right!

To help you keep your vehicle at its best, today’s article is going to be taking a look at exactly what you need to do to get your car ready for the colder temperatures and the slick road conditions that follow.

Pay Attention to Your Tires

When was the last time you replaced your tires? Has it been several months or possibly years? Tires are rated for a specific number of miles. Once you’ve reached the mileage noted on the tires, it’s usually time for replacements.

Did you know that you can actually extend the life of your tires with regular rotation, usually every 5,000 to 8,000 miles? Routinely rtating your tires can help your improve your vehicle’s performance while also cutting down on tread wear and tear. 

When you go in for tire rotation, make sure that you pay close and carful attention to tread depth. If the tread is worn down by 2/32nds, it’s time to start thinking about replacements.

Driving in winter road conditions on worn tires can easily result in an accident. Your vehicle is harder to control, especially on icy and snow-covered roads.

You tire pressure is just as important as the amount of tread depth that you have because the cold weather causes air to compress which can result in a drop in your tire pressure. Low tire pressure is something you want to avoid since it directly affects vehicle control. You’re going to find it harder to control your vehicle in the winter when tire pressure is low.

So, how do you check tire pressure? Do you have an emergency roadside kit? If so, there’s a good chance there’s a tire pressure gauge tucked inside. If not, you can usually find inexpensive gauges at a local auto parts store. If the pressure is low, add some air until the pressure hits optimal levels. This is a maintenance chore you’re probably going to repeat throughout the colder months.

Run a Battery Test

Okay, you’re not going to ask your vehicle’s battery a bunch of questions. If you start talking to your car’s battery, you should probably expect to get a few odd looks. Testing your car battery usually means heading up to the nearest auto parts store. This is unless you have a device sitting around in your garage.

The device connects to your vehicle’s battery and measures the voltage. If the voltage is low, it’s probably time to replace your car’s old battery. Colder temperatures mean your battery is working harder to start the vehicle. If the juice is running low, your engine may not turn over. 

Did you know the optimal temperature for car battery performance is around 77 degrees Fahrenheit? This means your cold winter temperatures are going to affect battery performance.

Time to Change the Oil

Oil viscosity is a term tossed around that you may not pay attention to. Viscosity refers to the thickness of the oil and you want to use a lighter-weight one in the winter. Cold temperatures cause oil to thicken and this can cause problems. Thick oil may have problems flowing and this can damage your car’s engine.

If you’re not sure which oil weight to use in the winter, check your vehicle’s owner’s manual. If you’ve misplaced the manual, don’t panic. Almost any certified automotive technician can make some recommendations based on your engine’s make and model.

Are You Using the Right Coolant?

Worrying about the engine’s coolant in the winter may seem unnecessary. After all, doesn’t cooler temperatures help keep your vehicle’s engine from overheating? Your engine can stay a little cooler in the winter but this isn’t why you’re checking the coolant.

Coolant is also known as antifreeze and this can be a concern when temperatures drop below freezing. The last thing you want is for your engine to freeze up. If this happens, you’re probably looking at hefty repairs. You may even need to replace your engine and this can cost almost as much as a gently-used car.

You should plan on checking not only coolant levels in the radiator but also the type. Some coolants are formulated for warmer temperatures and this isn’t what you want to use in the winter.

How Are Your Brakes?

Roads are often slick in the winter and this can make it difficult to stop. You need your vehicle’s brakes to function without any issues. Checking your car’s brakes is usually a multi-step process. You’re also going to need to do a little more than stick your head underneath your vehicle.

Everything from the brake pads to rotors and calipers needs a quick inspection. If your brake pads are wearing thin, go ahead and replace them, which also applies if rotors or calipers are showing the common signs of wear and tear.

Is your vehicle equipped with ABS? If so, have your anti-locking brakes thoroughly inspected before freezing temperatures hit.

Replace Your Window Wiper Blades

This is usually the easiest and cheapest winterization task. All you’re doing is inspecting and possibly replacing your window wiper blades. If your area sees frequent snow and ice storms, this is also something you don’t want to skip.

Anytime your wiper blades start looking dry and brittle, it’s time for replacements. The same goes if the blades are leaving streaks on the vehicle’s windshield. You may need to replace your blades during the winter. Salt from the roads can degrade the rubber on the blades.

Staying Safe On Winter Roads

The maintenance that you take care of now on your vehicle can directly affect your safety when the winter hits. Things like freezing temperatures, ice, and snow can all make it much more difficult to do everything from starting your vehicle to maintaining control on slick roads. 

Oh, and don’t forget to keep up with vehicle maintenance throughout the winter—you’ll be more than glad you took the time when spring is finally here and you weren’t involved in a wintertime car accident.