Here we are folks, smack in the middle of January. And for our friends who live in states where winter doesn’t mess around – we’re talking snow, wind, and temperatures in the single digits – there’s always concern about vehicle upkeep. So we thought we’d compile a handy list of tips on how to keep you ride thriving through these frosty, cold months. Ready? Here go…
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How to Keep Your Car Running Smoothly in Winter
1. Keep an eye on your battery. Cold weather causes engines to pull more power upon ignition and can also shorten battery life a lot sooner than expected, so be sure to keep your battery clean and have it checked regularly for lifespan. This is especially true for EVs, which are fully dependent on batteries.
2. Check your oil and filters. While this is important all year round, in winter, your car really needs clean oil and filters to keep the engine running optimally. Also, if where you live is super cold, you may want to consider switching to an oil that is specifically made for cold weather.
3. Have you belts and hoses checked. Bulges, cracks, and brittleness are all side effects of cold weather on rubber, so having these elements looked at regularly can help you avoid unexpected issues and breakdowns.
4. Upgrade your windshield wipers and fluid. Before the stormy weather hits, think about swapping out your blades and de-icing fluid to winter-grade products to help get you through even the gnarliest of blizzards.
5. Top up your coolant/anti-freeze. In inclement weather, it’s a good idea to go for a 50/50 mixture of these two fluids in order to avoid an occurrence of freezing.
6. Assess your tires. Once again, we’re looking at the effects of cold on rubber – a combo that leads to deflation and brittleness. If you’re not up for splurging on winter tires, make sure to keep an eye on your tire pressure and health.
7. Keep your tank full. Maintaining a full tank of gas can help avoid the fuel lines freezing when the car is not in use.
8. Inspect your lights. Be sure that all your lights are functioning properly – when it comes to driving in heavy rain and snow, headlights, taillights, and turn signals become very, very essential.
9. Test your brakes. These need to be in optimal condition. Of course, brakes are always top of the list, but add in slick roads and even ice…and you really want to be sure those brakes are in prime working order.
10. Check your defroster. Before you find yourself in a situation where your defroster is necessary, confirm that it’s in tip top shape.
For the NHTSA’s tips for driving safely in winter, check this out.
Now, here are a few essentials to have on hand in your car for these frozen months:
- First aid kit
- Blanket
- Clean water
- Shovel and ice scraper
- Flares
- Flashlight
- Spare battery/charger for cellphones
- Sand- to help extract your car in case it gets stuck in snow
- Jumper cables
- Snacks
We hope this list has been helpful, and we wish you a wonderful winter with lots of happy days and safe driving.
3 comments
[ ] I have paid eTags some 3 moths ago and sent all the information you have requested. [ ] you need a copy of my ID to complete. I sent it to you that day, some 30 days ago and have not gotten a thing, back. [ ] Please complete my etag “Copy of Title” immediately and send to it immediately. Franklin L. P.
Hi Frank – Our apologies for any confusion with the process and requirements. We see that you placed an order to have your electronic Florida title printed on 12-6-2025. We contacted you a few times for about a month after, requesting that you provide a copy of your ID as that is required since we need to confirm that you are the owner of a vehicle before we can ship the title. After a few back and forth emails and calls, our records show that we were able to get that ID copy and your title was shipped out the next business day. Normally, we can have a Florida title shipped out the same or next business day if we can get that ID copy promptly. We hope to have the opportunity to serve you in the future and provide a better experience. Thank you for being an eTags customer.
Excelente Gracias