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.
