Winter conditions are the cause of a lot of damage to cars – but much of this damage can be avoided with proper care and precautions before the cold weather hits. Getting your car ready for winter is not a difficult or complicated process. It only involves things like adding new windshield washer fluid, checking your tire pressure and keeping your gas tank always full. Doing this will keep you calmer when you're driving in snow or ice, and keep your car in top performance during the winter. For more detailed information on how to prepare your car for winter, see step 1 below.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Preparing Your Car's Exterior for Winter
Step 1. Replace your windshield wiper and wiper air
Poor visibility is very dangerous to drive, especially in winter, so it is important to make sure that your windshield wipers are working properly.
- Old rubber is prone to cracking, tearing or not working at all when dealing with ice deposits on your windshield. See if your wiper rubber is cracked or damaged, and remember that it should be replaced every 6 to 12 months. You can also consider buying wiper rubber specifically designed for winter.
- Fill the water tank for your windshield with fresh washing-up liquid. Some washing liquids have an astringent to defrost and lower freezing temperatures, making them a great choice for winter.
Step 2. Check the pressure in your tires
Maintaining the correct tire pressure on your vehicle is very important in winter. Flat tires have less bite, making them slip easily on frozen surfaces.
- Keep in mind that tire pressure will affect the temperature drop – in fact, for every 5 degrees Celsius drop in temperature, the air pressure in the tire will decrease by about 1 PSI. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to your tires throughout the winter.
- Use a tire gauge to see if the pressure in your tires matches your vehicle's standards. If you don't understand this, check the inside end of the side of the driver's door. There should be a sticker on it indicating a number of things, including suggestions for tire pressure.
- If you don't have a tire gauge, you can usually find one at a gas station. There you can also fill your tires with air. Usually these are free or very cheap.
- When checking tire pressure, it is also important to check whether your tires are bald or not. If it needs to be replaced, do it before winter comes.
Step 3. Put some wax on your car before winter comes
Waxed car surfaces resist snow, dirt, and salt better than unwaxed car surfaces. Wax can make your car look better and protect your car paint.
- Before you use wax, make sure you wash your car first. Don't forget to wash the underside of your car to remove any remaining grit or salt.
- Try waxing your car before the first snow falls, or before the temperature drops to 12 degrees Celsius. This wax will protect the car paint, and also make snow or ice easier to clean.
- While you're waxing, it's a good idea to clean the "inside" of your car afterwards. Get rid of clutter, vacuum your floors and car seats, and use upholstery cleaner if necessary. You may need to replace your car carpet with a waterproof carpet, to protect your car floor from melting ice and snow.
Step 4. Make sure your car headlights are working properly
As mentioned above, having a clear view is very important, especially on dark winter nights.
- It's important to be able to see clearly, but more importantly, you are clearly "visible". This is why making sure your car's headlights are working properly is so important.
- Ask someone to help you check all of your car's lights – including headlights, taillights, backup lights and turn signals (including hazard lights).
- You also need to note that the lights will be a more burden on your vehicle's electrical system in winter. This is because everyday will be more often dark. You need to pay attention to this when you are testing your battery.
Method 2 of 3: Mechanical Check
Step 1. Change your engine oil
When winter is coming, it would be best to check your engine oil and decide if it needs to be changed or not.
- A drop in temperature can cause the oil in your engine to become thicker (thicker). When this happens, the oil will flow very slowly from one part of the engine to another – this prevents the oil from lubricating the engine properly, causing the engine to overheat and preventing the engine from starting.
- Therefore, it is often advised to change to a thinner oil in winter, to lubricate your car engine sufficiently. If you're not sure what type of oil you should use, look in your car's manual for clearer instructions on which type of oil is best for your car, under certain temperature and weather conditions.
- It's also important to remember, as a general rule, the oil in your car should always be changed every 4800 km, or once every three months.
Step 2. Check your car's chain and hoses
Your car's chains and hoses are prone to wear and tear and are partially affected by cold air.
- If you haven't had a full service after 48,000 km this winter (when car chains and hoses are usually replaced), then it would be a good idea to have it checked yourself to see if there are any signs of damage and if it needs to be replaced.
- Don't forget this step, because if your chain breaks while you're driving, you have no choice but to call a tow truck – and tows are hard to find in the middle of winter.
Step 3. Replace the old cooler with anti-freeze
It's important that your car's engine contains the correct ratio of antifreeze to water before winter sets in, or else your coolant will freeze, exposing the engine to overheating and possibly blowing the gaskets.
Step 4. A ratio of 50% anti-freeze and 50% water is recommended for most cars, although in some situations this ratio can be increased to 60% anti-freeze and 40% water
Luckily, you can buy bottles that already contain antifreeze and water at the gas station.
- If you're not sure about the ratio of antifreeze to water in your car's radiator, you can buy an antifreeze tester at an auto supply store for a relatively low price.
- If the ratio is not correct, you will need to drain your cooling system before you can adapt it to fill it again with the correct ratio. If this is not something you understand, take your car to a repair shop or an oil change.
Step 5. Make sure your 4-wheel drive is working properly
If your car has a 4-wheel drive function, it's important to have it checked to make sure your 4-wheel drive is working properly, especially if you haven't used it since the previous winter.
- Have a mechanic check your 4 wheel drive to make sure the system is smoothly turning on and off, and that your transmission and gear fluid are at the correct levels.
- At this time, you (and your household members) should also review how this system works and understand the conditions under which it is used. 4-wheel drive can increase the traction of your tires on snow or icy roads, reducing your chances of getting stuck.
- However, this doesn't mean you can drive faster or less safely than you normally would in less favorable conditions.
Step 6. Check your battery
It's important that your battery is in good working order before winter arrives – in colder weather your battery will take longer to generate power, while a car engine requires more electricity than a battery to start. If your battery is in bad condition, your battery will not work properly and your car will not start.
- Pay attention to the lifespan of your battery – batteries usually last between 3 and 5 years, so if your battery is within that time frame, it might be time to replace your battery with a new one. You can also ask your mechanic to test the contents of your battery to determine if you need to replace your battery or not.
- Even if your battery doesn't need replacing, you should still have a look at your battery to see if there is corrosion on the battery poles and connections as well as for damage to the cables.
- You will also need to check the fluid level – you can do this by opening the cover located on top of the battery. If the liquid level is low, you can fill it with battery water. Just be careful not to fill it too much.
Step 7. Check your car's defrosting and heating unit
The defrosting and heating unit in your car is very important for your visibility and making you comfortable while driving. So it is good to make sure that the unit is working properly.
- The defrost helps remove condensation from inside the windshield by spraying warm, dry air on the windshield. If it doesn't work properly, your glass will be able to fog up and block your view of the road. Ask a mechanic to check your defrost and make sure your defrost is working properly. If your windshield is still foggy, you need to check for air leaks in your doors and windows that allow moisture to enter.
- It's obvious that your heater isn't working in winter, but it's important to get it fixed as soon as possible. You may need to replace the coil in the heater – they are expensive, but the money will be worth it when you feel the chilly temperatures in the morning.
- You are not only risking your comfort, you are also risking your security. Cold driving can affect your driving ability and your attention to the road. Having a properly working heating system can save your life if you get stuck somewhere in your car.
Method 3 of 3: Always Ready
Step 1. Make sure your spare tire is always ready for use
In cold weather conditions, it is important to always have a spare tire in your car.
- You should check your spare tire regularly to make sure that it is in good condition – you don't want to be in a situation where your tire bursts and your spare tire is unusable!
- You should also make sure that your jack, wrench, and wheel lock are always in a safe position in your car, and that everyone in your household knows where they are.
Step 2. Make sure your gas tank is at least half full at all times
If your gas tank is half full, there is less chance of your gas freezing in cold temperatures.
- This occurs when there is condensation on the side of an almost empty gas tank, it drips into a liquid, sinks under the gasoline and freezes due to the cold conditions.
- Keeping your gas tank half full at all times reduces the chances for this to happen and also reduces the chances of getting stranded somewhere when you run out of gas.
Step 3. Always have emergency equipment ready and keep it in your luggage
It's a good idea to always keep emergency kits in your car in case your car suddenly breaks down and you're stranded in bad weather conditions.
- Equipment that must be included is: boots, gloves, hat, blanket, ice scraper, thaw tool, flashlight, salt or cat litter, jumper cord, first aid kit, flare, cooler and cleaning water bottle, and radio.
- You'll also want to stock up on non-perishable snacks (such as cans of unsalted nuts and dried fruit) and a bottle of water. Even if the water freezes, you can thaw it or eat ice to keep yourself hydrated.
- You should also always carry your cell phone charger in your car to charge your cell phone.
Step 4. Consider buying snow tires
If you live in an area that is constantly covered in snow and ice during the winter, you should consider replacing your tires with snow tires during the colder months.
- Snow tires are tires that are smoother and more flexible than regular tires, and also have a different tread shape that provides better traction on surfaces covered in snow and ice.
- Alternatively, you can keep the tire chain in your trunk for driving in snow and ice conditions. This tire chain is important for use in mountainous areas.
- You can also consider bringing traction pads or used carpet – these can help you free your tires if they get stuck in the snow.
Step 5. Know what to do if you are stranded
Even though you put a lot of effort into getting your car ready for winter conditions, sometimes something goes wrong and you become stranded. It's important to know what needs to be done to keep you safe and warm if this situation occurs.
- First, never leave your car unless you know exactly where you are and how far you need to walk for help. If you don't know your location, light beacons on either side of your car to draw the attention of others to your car.
- Try to keep yourself as warm as possible by bringing extra clothes and using the available blankets (wool blankets are best for warming up). If you still have gas, run the car heater for ten minutes every hour to increase the temperature in the car (as long as you are sure the gas pipe is not blocked).
- Even if it's cold, you should always partially open your windows to avoid heavy snow or ice completely covering your car.
- Always keep yourself hydrated by drinking water or eating ice, and eating sweets to avoid dry mouth.
