Winter driving can bring new challenges even if you don’t experience ice, snow, and freezing temperatures. Heavy rains, winds, and storm fronts, coupled with less daylight hours can place any driver, anywhere, at greater risk. Being proactive and making sure your car or truck is in good shape is the first line of defense for wintertime driving. Knowing your vehicle is primed to do its best for you in performance and protection gives peace of mind on the road even in the worst weather.
Here are nine car care tips to keep you safely driving on short around-town commutes or long road trips all winter long.
Check your car battery’s strength
Cold weather causes a battery to work harder and freezing temperatures plus a weak battery could leave you stranded. If your battery is old or sluggish to start, it may be past its time to reliably hold a charge. Healthy batteries should register 12.6 volts or higher. If it’s at 12 volts or lower, it may be time for a new battery. You can have your battery tested by your mechanic or purchase a multimeter so you can test it yourself. Snow days are difficult enough without being unable to get to and from work or school because the car won’t start.
Check your antifreeze
Also known as coolant, this keeps your car or truck from overheating in summer and freezing in winter. Chances are, the level is fine if you’ve kept up with oil changes and fluid checks on a regular basis, but making sure the reservoir is full is a good idea. If it’s low, top it off with the recommended coolant type. If this is your first freezing-and-below winter, have your mechanic verify that you have the right mixture of antifreeze for the extreme cold.
Brakes shouldn’t squeak or squeal
If your brakes have been making unwelcomed noises, have them looked at to ensure they are functioning properly. Worn brake pads, lack of lubrication, mud, dust, or other debris on the surface of your pads or rotors are all possibilities. When it comes to your brakes, you don’t want to take any chances so have them checked out by a reliable mechanic. A thorough inspection can ensure the best performance when driving in winter conditions.
Drive on the right tires
There are three parts to having the right tires on your car: the type of tire, the tread, and proper tire pressure. The right type could mean switching to winter snow tires for extreme weather. With tread, you need to be sure your all-weather or all-season tires have not worn down past a safe tread point, and tire pressure should be checked regularly to ensure proper inflation. (This applies to your spare also!) Check the Owner’s Manual or the tire placard on the driver’s side door jamb for appropriate pressure. All three impact the traction of your tires and your safety during winter weather. To learn more, check out Snow Tires vs. All-Season Tires: Which Should You Choose?
Make sure all lights work
For safety, make sure all lights on your vehicle are working, headlights, taillights, hazard lights, and turn signals. Replace any bulbs that are burned out and de-haze headlights that have build-up, so you’ll get maximum visibility. Before heading out, brush off any snow or ice that is covering the lights. You want to be sure you can see and be seen, especially in challenging weather.
Inspect the windshield wiper blades
If you’ve not replaced them in a while, wiper blades may be inefficient in clearing the windshield if they’re cracked or dirty. If there’s no damage to the blades, give them a good cleaning with a cloth saturated in window cleaner, vinegar, or rubbing alcohol. Scrub the full length of the blade, both sides, to remove dirt and gunk. Specialty winter wiper blades are an option for heavy snow and ice climates. To prevent wiper blades from sticking to the windshield from ice and snow, slip them into a plastic bag rather than pulling them up off the windshield overnight, which can damage the wiper arm springs.
Keep windshield washer fluid full
To prevent washer fluid from freezing, fill up with a winter formulation that has a very low freezing threshold. There are many winter windshield washer fluids on the market that also serve as deicers to quickly remove ice and snow from the windshield. Read the labels, if they contain ethylene glycol or methanol, they are toxic to people and pets so take necessary precautions against spills. For the DIYers, you can add a cup of rubbing alcohol or high-proof vodka to regular washer fluid to “winterize” against freezing.
Test your heater and window defrosters
Make sure the car’s HVAC system is in tip-top working condition. Cold weather makes everything have to work harder, so have it inspected and serviced if necessary so it won’t fail in the coldest temperatures. Driving without heat in the winter is just plain miserable and fogged up windows are dangerous.
Have an emergency kit in your car
Even aside from winter, it’s a good thing to have an emergency kit in your car, especially if you drive lonely stretches of road. You can purchase ready-made roadside emergency kits or you can create your own with these recommended essentials that can get you out of a jam. Packing essentials so they’re in the car and easily accessible (under the seats, in the glovebox) is important in case the trunk becomes unreachable in an accident.
This looks like a lot, but you probably already have some of these items in your car. We’ll organize as everyday/every-car essentials, a packed kit, and additional winter requirements. Pick and choose those you feel would best meet your needs in an emergency and outfit your vehicle.
Everyday essentials:
· Hand sanitizer
· Paper towels
· Phone charger
· First aid kit
· Blanket
· Flashlight
· Owner’s Manual
· Umbrella or fold-up rain poncho
· Escape tool/hammer – window breaker and seat belt cutter in one
Packed kit:
· Jumper cables or portable battery booster
· Tire pressure gauge
· Tire sealant
· Extra fuses and flashlight batteries
· Work gloves
· Duct tape and zip ties
· Fire extinguisher
· Roadside flares or HELP sign
· Multiple space blankets – waterproof, mylar, folds to pocket size
· Tool kit (screwdrivers, wrench, pliers) or multipurpose tool
· Loud whistle
· Food and water (keep these fresh)
· Quart of oil and gallon of coolant
· An approved gas container
Winter additions:
· Snow scraper and brush
· Bag of sand or cat litter (traction in a bag)
· Folding camp shovel
· Warm jackets, hats, gloves, rain gear
· Emergency candle, matches or lighter
LKQ Online is dedicated to safe driving by supplying high-quality, affordable used auto parts and new aftermarket parts to keep vehicles humming in any weather. If your car, truck, Jeep, or SUV needs replacement hood or bumper for collision repair or a new heater core, LED headlights, or even tires, go to LKQ Online and search by vehicle year, make, and model to see the many options available for purchasing used car parts.