Essential maintenance checks to perform before winter arrives.
As soon as the summer begins to spool down, it’s best to take stock of your vehicle maintenance program with an eye toward handling the winter months. After all, the worst time to be prepping for cold weather is during cold weather.
Here’s an essential list of things you need to think about, including what parts of your vehicle need attention, a quick look at diesel winterization, and finally, a comprehensive emergency ‘on-the-road’ package, just in case something does go wrong.
Why Is Winter Car Prep Necessary?
In the same ways that you prep for hot summers, the cold temperatures of winter offer equally daunting challenges. Consequently, winterizing processes should be seen as a series of proactive steps based on ensuring safety and vehicle reliability – rather than “oh crap” reactions meant to mitigate disaster.
Safety. Winter harbors climatic challenges like snow, ice, and reduced visibility. Prepping your vehicle makes sure that your lights, brakes, tires, and other critical systems are in good shape, thereby minimizing any safety risk.
Reliability. The cold puts undue strain on mechanical systems. A winterization process prevents breakdowns and avoids starting problems.
Power. The cold weakens batteries and can ultimately reduce charge-capacity. Prepping the battery ensures that the component is ready for prime time.
Lubrication. Central engine liquids such as antifreeze and oil are critical to protecting the engine from freezing. Winterizing involves topping off these fluids.
Legal Requirements. In some states where hard winters are the norm, items like winter tires are actually required.
Important Winter Maintenance Checks
Now, let’s get into the details relating to a winterization program. Here's a comprehensive list of items you should check and/or consider before hitting the road.
Tires
As noted, in some areas, dedicated winter tires are necessary to safely manage winter travel. However, even if you’re not planning to swap out your rubber shoes, there are certain maintenance steps you should take before temps drop.
First, check your tire tread depth and ensure it is deep enough to maintain traction in the snow. You can use a tread depth gauge, or simply grab a penny. Insert the coin into the tread groove with Lincoln’s head facing down. If you can see the top of Abe’s head, it’s time to replace your tires.
Another part of winter car prep you need to consider is tire pressure. In cold temperatures, the air inside your tires contracts, leading to a decrease in pressure – which can be particularly dangerous in icy or snowy conditions. Underinflated tires can compromise handling and traction.
You may notice less grip or responsiveness, not to mention poorer fuel efficiency and additional wear.
To mitigate this issue, check your tire pressure regularly, especially in cold conditions. Ideally, the best time to do this is before you start driving for the day when the tires are at their coldest. (As you drive, the friction between the tires and the road will generate heat, causing the air inside the tires to expand and increase pressure.)
Battery
The chemical reactions that take place inside a battery slow down in the cold, which can lead to reduced electrical output and – you guessed it – the dreaded click-click-click upon startup. Additionally, all those extra power loads you’re running, like the heater, defroster, headlights, and wipers, are placing added stress on a cold-weakened battery.
To ensure everything performs as intended during the winter, give the battery a quick but thorough inspection. Look for signs of corrosion on terminals and cables, and clean them with a baking soda and water solution if necessary. Measure the battery's voltage using a multimeter to ensure it is in good health and properly charged. If your equipment is several years old or showing signs of weakness, now is the time to swap it out.
If you feel comfortable, inspect the vehicle's charging system, including the alternator and belts. Again, look for signs of corrosion, as well as wear, cracking, fraying, or glazing. (A professional can do this maintenance check for you if you’re not sure exactly what to do.) Something you definitely can perform on your own is a simple systems-check during operation, noting any unusual noises (squealing, whining) or dashboard warning lights.
Fluids
Ever leave a bottle of water or, worse, a can of soda in your car’s cupholder over night when temperatures plummet? Now imagine that happening to the fluids inside your engine or radiator. Since cold temperatures can lead to freezing, it’s important to ensure car fluids like oil, antifreeze, washer fluid, or diesel fuel are being kept at the right viscosity. Be sure to swap out necessary fluids per your vehicle’s manufacturer recommendations, and keep everything topped off for optimal performance.
Now is also a good time to check for leaks, as colder temperatures will only make them worse. Check out our article on fluid leaks so you know what to look for and how to address it.
Don’t forget about windshield washer fluid. Most are water-based and can therefore freeze inside the reservoir, hoses, and nozzles, leading to a very unpleasant surprise when it comes time to clean the windshield.
Visibility
Speaking of windshields, visibility is of paramount importance during the winter so it’s critical to ensure your wipers and headlights are all operating properly. Test everything – in both fair and poor weather conditions – to check it’s functioning as it should, and consider upgrading to more winter-ready equipment where necessary.
For example, silicone wiper blades are very resilient, especially in cold temps, and can stand up better to harsher elements like snow, slush, and freezing rain. Winter wipers also have a more robust and flexible design, as well as protective coatings, all to prevent freezing.
Similarly, if your headlights are dull or the housings are cracked and fading, now is the time for replacement or repair. Give your windshield a close inspection, too. Look for chips, cracks, or other spots of weakness. These will only get worse in cold temperatures.
Remember, being seen is just as important as seeing well. That means, headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, and hazard lights should all be in tip-top, bright-shining shape.
Cabin Comfort
Considering it’s where you spend the entirety of your time during car travel, the vehicle’s cabin should absolutely make your list of winter prep. Before temperatures drop, test the heater and defroster to ensure they work effectively and address any issues.
Additionally, consider adding some interior protection products to keep the space clean and comfortable. Heavy-duty floor mats not only keep the carpet from turning into an unsightly, soggy mess, but also protect your floor pans from rusting out thanks to moisture and corrosive road salt. Similarly, seat covers can help ward off weather damage and a good-quality mat for the truck bed or cargo area can help corral winter messes.
A Note on Diesels
Before we get to what emergency elements are necessary to protect you and your vehicle, let’s quickly discuss diesel winterization, since this engine type requires some additional cold weather prep.
First, it’s important to remember that diesel fuel will gel up in very cold temperatures so you must always use winter-grade diesel fuel. In extremely cold climates, it's a good idea to use a fuel anti-gel additive, which can further lower the gel point of diesel fuel and prevent filter clogging.
Second, diesels can struggle with cold starts, so ensure that glow plugs or grid heaters are functioning correctly and take note of any extended cranking times or difficulty starting. Consider using a battery blanket or engine block heater as well, to further assist with cold starts.
Lastly, remember that Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) has a freezing point of approximately 12°F (-11°C) and, when frozen, can lead to serious issues with your vehicle’s emissions system. Many modern diesel vehicles are equipped with a DEF tank heater to prevent this from happening, so just ensure this heater is functioning correctly before cold weather strikes.
Emergency Prep
Below is a list of items you may wish to keep on hand this winter, depending on how poorly conditions get where you live. Prepping this kind of setup is largely subjective, and more times than not limited to available carry-on space, but you’d be surprised how many of these supplies can neatly fit into one large duffel that sits in the trunk.
- Blankets and warm clothing
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Non-perishable food and water
- First Aid kit + backups of important daily medication
- Multi-tool or knife
- Portable jump starter (To learn more about these exceptionally useful gadgets that also serve as cellphone chargers and flashlights, check out our article breaking down the product segment.)
- Ice scraper/windshield brush
- Reflective triangle or flare
- Traction mats, tire chains, or a bag of sand/kitty litter
- Shovel
- Paper map in case GPS fails
- Spare cash
- Toilet paper (trust us on this one)