Preparing Your Vehicle for Winter
Ready or not, winter is coming soon, and with that comes freezing temperatures, snow, slush, and ice. Winter driving conditions can be dangerous, and the winter season can take a toll on your vehicle if you're not prepared. There are a few things that you can do, though, to make sure your car or truck is ready for whatever the winter season will bring. Changing the oil and oil filter, changing the air and cabin filters, adding coolant, changing windshield wipers, testing the battery, and creating a winter car survival pack can prepare your vehicle for winter.
Winter Car Maintenance Checklist
Change the oil: Colder temperatures can cause engine oil to thicken, causing the oil to flow slowly or stop altogether. This can cause stress to your engine, and if left for too long, your vehicle's motor may begin to have problems. Switching to a thinner winter-grade oil will help your engine perform more efficiently. Along with changing the oil, you should do an oil filter change. You should be changing your oil filter every time you change your oil. Clogged or dirty oil filters can increase wear on your vehicle and make it harder to start your car in cold temperatures. Please refer to your vehicle owner’s manual for the correct winter engine oil viscosity.
Change vehicle filters:For optimal performance, you should change your vehicle’s air and cabin air filters before winter hits. If your cabin filter is clogged by dirt and debris, you’ll breathe in unhealthy air all winter. A clean cabin filter also helps maintain efficient airflow for your heating system and makes it easier to defrost your windshield while providing healthy, clean air for you to breathe. Changing your engine air filter is another important step before winter hits. A dirty air filter makes your engine work harder, leading to reduced fuel economy and poor performance.
Change wiper blades: Winter driving is challenging, especially when visibility is limited. Having well-working wiper blades is a key to safe driving. If your wipers look dry or brittle or leave streaks of water, then they are not working well and should be replaced. Depending on the type of wiper blade installed on your vehicle, you may want to replace them with a beam, hybrid or winter blade. These blade types have a thermoplastic casing and will have a more durable squeegee. They are better able to handle ice, sleet, and snow and help maintain visibility when driving.
Add coolant: Coolant, or antifreeze, helps to keep your engine’s cooling system from freezing or overheating during the winter. If there isn’t enough coolant in your vehicle, severe engine damage could occur. Check your levels and ensure the ratio of antifreeze to water is correct. Generally, 50:50 is recommended, but check your coolant bottle and vehicle owner’s manual for specific guidelines.
Test the battery: Did you know that colder temperatures can reduce your battery performance by up to 50%? When the cold weather weakens and stresses batteries, they may not be powerful enough to start your vehicle, which could lead you stranded and waiting for a tow or a jumpstart. To help prevent this, you should check your battery for corrosion, regularly test it, and park your car in the garage; if your battery is over three years old, you may want to replace it with a new one. Newer and high-quality batteries can handle cold temperatures and stress better than older ones.
Create a winter car survival pack:: In an emergency, you should have a winter car survival pack filled with things you may need to stay safe if your car breaks down or you end up stranded in the cold. The pack should include the following winter supplies: a first aid kit, cell phone charger, water and snacks, warm clothes, a blanket, a small tool kit, a shovel, flares, a pack of matches, an ice scraper, jumper cables, and a flashlight. You should check your kit every winter to replace expired or unneeded items.
Ensure that your car or truck is ready for winter by taking the time to do some pre-winter vehicle maintenance. Getting these tasks marked off your checklist early, before the snow starts flying and the temperatures begin to drop, will help you to have a safe and trouble-free winter driving experience and give you peace of mind for the long winter season ahead.
Preparing Your Vehicle for Winter
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