It is time to winterize your car as we head into the winter months. Most people switch up their wardrobes for winter but neglect their cars. Winter driving presents unique challenges, like icy roads, mist, rain, and low temperatures. Preparing your car for winter is crucial for your safety and vehicle longevity. This post will walk you through detailed steps to ensure your car is winter-ready.

1. Test Your Car Battery

Winter's chill can be harsh on your car's battery because cold temperatures reduce capacity, leading to starting problems. So, do not wait for your battery to fail. Before winter hits, test your car battery, starter, and alternator using a computerized battery tester. This tool checks voltage, internal resistance, and conductance. Let a professional check it to ensure your batteries are ready.

You should also clean and spray your battery terminals. Corrosion at the battery terminals can lead to poor connections and starting issues. Begin by disconnecting the negative and then positive cables. Use a battery cleaning tool or wire brush to clean the terminals and cable ends thoroughly. After cleaning, use a battery terminal protectant spray to reduce future corrosion, ensuring a long-lasting and reliable connection. 

2. Check Tire Tread

The importance of tire condition must be balanced when preparing for winter. Worn tires significantly impact your car's handling and stability in adverse conditions. While most states have a 2/32-inch minimum tread depth standard, tire traction decreases dramatically when tread depth goes beyond 4/32-inch. Relying on worn tires during winter means you'll likely be sliding rather than driving, risking potential accidents and costly damages.

Investing in a good set of winter tires is necessary if you live in an area with heavy snow and ice. Winter tires are made from a softer rubber compound that stays flexible in cold temperatures for better traction. 

Investing in new or snow tires could be as cost-effective as paying for a single insurance deductible while offering you far greater safety and control. To check your tire tread depth, use a tire tread depth gauge at several points across each tire to ensure even wear and sufficient tread.

Switching to winter tires provides significantly better traction and safety. Winter tires offer improved performance on snow and ice, starting faster and stopping shorter than all-season tires. Although the initial cost is significant, the potential savings from avoiding accidents make them a worthwhile investment.

3. Lubricate Window Tracks and Weather Stripping

Water can freeze in window tracks, causing damage when you try to open them. It will cost you hundreds of dollars to fix damaged windows. Prevent damage by spraying a silicone or dry Teflon lubricant into the tracks. Run the window up and down to distribute the lubricant evenly.

Similarly, silicone spray should be applied to the weather stripping on doors and trunks to prevent doors from freezing shut. Spray the silicone onto a rag and wipe it along the stripping and mating surfaces to ensure smooth operation and sealed doors.

Lubricate door and trunk locks. Even using remote keyless entry, lubricate your lock cylinders to prevent corrosion. Apply graphite lubricant or dry Teflon spray to keep the locks functioning smoothly. This is especially useful if your remote fob battery dies.

A stuck hood latch can make a cold morning even worse. Lubricate the latch mechanism with spray lithium grease to prevent corrosion and seizing. Operate the hood several times to work the lubricant into the components, ensuring it will function smoothly throughout winter.

4. Check Your Coolant

Coolant (antifreeze) isn't just for preventing engine freezing. It helps keep your engine running at the right temperature. Most people don't know this, but coolant also contains additives critical for preventing corrosion and lubricating your water pump. Check the antifreeze level and top it up if necessary. It's also a good time to check for leaks in your cooling system that could become problematic when the temperature drops. 

5. Upgrade to Winter Wiper Blades

Standard wiper blades can accumulate snow and ice, reducing visibility. Visibility is a priority in snowy and icy conditions to prevent accidents. Winter wiper blades have a protective rubber boot to prevent accumulation, ensuring clear visibility. Swap out your blades at the start of the season for improved safety.

Replace your wiper blades if worn out, and top off your wiper fluid with a freeze-resistant solution. This will help you keep your windshield clear of ice and snow.

6. Replace Your Hood Lifts and Cabin Air Filter

Weak gas lift cylinders and clogged cabin air filters can cause issues in cold weather. Replace both to ensure easy hood access and efficient heating inside your vehicle. Cabin air filters are inexpensive and easy to replace, significantly impacting airflow and interior comfort.

Make sure your car's heater and defroster are working properly. This is crucial for comfort and driver visibility.

7. Examine the Belts and Hoses

Cold temperatures can harden and damage the belts and hoses in your engine. To prevent a mid-winter breakdown, have them checked for wear and tear and replace any that are brittle or cracked.

8. Change Your Oil and Adjust the Viscosity

Winter is harsh on your engine oil, too. Thicker oils can become too viscous in cold temperatures, making it hard for your engine to turn over on chilly mornings. Consider switching to a thinner, winter-grade oil that flows more efficiently to keep your engine running smoothly.

9. Protect Your Exterior

Road salt used to melt snow and ice can lead to rust and corrosion on your car's body and undercarriage. A good wash and a fresh coat of wax can help protect your vehicle's exterior. Consider applying a sealant to the undercarriage to guard against rust.

10. Practice Safe Driving

Finally, adjust your driving habits. Winter roads can be unpredictable. Slow down, maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, and avoid harsh braking to reduce the risk of accidents.

11. Assemble a Winter Survival Kit

Prepare for emergencies with a winter survival kit stored in your vehicle. Include items like a candle-powered heater, flashlight, cell phone charger, compact tire inflator, jumper cables, first aid kit, water, a small shovel, kitty litter for traction if you ever get stuck, and warm clothing. Being well-prepared can make a significant difference in emergencies.

12. Review Your Auto Insurance Coverage

As you winterize your vehicle, reviewing your auto insurance policy is the perfect time. Ensure it covers winter-specific incidents like collisions on icy roads or damage from road salt. You can increase your coverage or add comprehensive insurance if you haven't already done so. At Tennessee Auto Insurance Agency, we insure you for less at. Click here to get a quote.

By preparing your car and your insurance for winter, you enhance your safety and protect your finances. Winter brings increased hazards, and the right insurance coverage ensures you're fully protected no matter what the icy roads might throw your way. So, winterize your car and revisit your insurance policy to enjoy a worry-free winter season.

Did you find this article helpful? Leave a comment below.