How to Prepare a Car for Winter Driving

Freezing temperatures, falling snow, and icy roads can make driving in winter weather tricky. Don't worry, though! We've compiled the best tips to help you get your car ready for winter so that you can get wherever you're going safely.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]The Basics

  1. Air up your tires to the recommended PSI. Pull out your car’s owner manual and see what the recommended tire pressure level is for your vehicle. Test the air pressure with an air pressure gauge, and compare the results to your car’s recommended PSI. If the tire PSI is a bit lower than it should be, swing by a gas station to air your tires back up.[1]
    Prepare a Car for Winter Driving Step 1 Version 2.jpg
    • To be safe, check your tire pressure once a month to make sure everything looks good.
  2. Test your tires with a coin to see if there’s enough tread. Grab a small coin that has a person engraved on the front, like an American quarter. Stick this coin in “head-first” between the tire treads and take a closer look. If you can see more than the top of the head sticking out, then you need to replace your tires.[2]
    Prepare a Car for Winter Driving Step 2 Version 2.jpg
    • Your tires need a lot of treads so they can tackle the winter weather, like snow and ice.[3]
  3. Switch out your regular tires for winter tires if you can. Snow tires are thicker and have better treading than your average tires. If you’re interested, stop by your local auto shop to give your car an upgrade.[4]
    Prepare a Car for Winter Driving Step 3 Version 2.jpg
    • Snow tires are bulkier than normal tires, so your mechanic might need to make some adjustments to your car after the fact.
    • Look for snow tires with siping, or extra slits cut into the treads. This can give you a little more traction during the winter weather.
    • Look into getting tire chains if you live in a really snowy or icy area. These can give you some peace of mind when you’re driving during the winter months.[5]
  4. Examine all your lights and replace any burned-out bulbs. Turn on your car and test all the interior and exterior lights. If any of these bulbs are burned out, stop by your local car supply shop to pick up a few replacements.[6]
    Prepare a Car for Winter Driving Step 4 Version 2.jpg
    • During the winter months, visibility on the road isn’t always great. While you can’t control how much light is outside, you can definitely test and replace any faulty lights in your car.
  5. Install new windshield wipers if your old ones look a little run-down. Replace your windshield wipers every 6-12 months, especially if they’re looking a little worse for wear. Pick up a new set from your local auto shop whenever your wipers start squeaking or sticking to the windshield.[7]
    Prepare a Car for Winter Driving Step 5 Version 2.jpg
  6. Switch to wiper fluid designed for winter. Pick up a bottle of winter windshield wiper fluid from your local auto shop and refill the reservoir. You don’t have to drain your reservoir completely—just top it off with the winter fluid, so you can keep your windshield clean throughout the winter.[8]
    Prepare a Car for Winter Driving Step 6 Version 2.jpg
    • In the winter, regular windshield cleaning fluid may freeze when it touches your window, which is very dangerous. Winter fluid is safe to use in the colder weather.

[Edit]Winter Maintenance

  1. Refuel your car often so there’s always ½ tank of gas or more. Empty gas lines are more likely to freeze when the weather gets cold. Before driving anywhere, check your gas levels to see how fuel is in the tank. Throughout the winter months, try to keep your car at least halfway fueled, so your gas lines won’t freeze over.[9]
    Prepare a Car for Winter Driving Step 7 Version 2.jpg
  2. Top off your coolant if it’s low. Pop open the hood and take a look at how much antifreeze your vehicle has.[10] If you’re running low, refill the reservoir with a diluted mixture that’s 60% antifreeze and 40% water.[11]
    Prepare a Car for Winter Driving Step 8 Version 2.jpg
    • Your antifreeze helps keep your car’s radiator from freezing and keeps your car in working order.[12]
  3. Test your battery to make sure it’s working. Grab a multimeter and set it to DC volts, so you can get an accurate reading. Clip the positive multimeter probe to the positive terminal on your battery, and the negative probe to the negative terminal. Check the multimeter and see what it says—if your reading is below 12.45 volts, then your battery needs to be recharged.[13]
    Prepare a Car for Winter Driving Step 9 Version 2.jpg
    • Test your battery immediately after turning the car off for a more accurate reading.
    • Winter weather can put a lot of strain on your battery, so it’s important to check out your battery ahead of time.[14]
  4. Check your car’s heat and defrost settings. Turn on your vehicle and press the heating and defrost buttons. Feel around your car’s heating vents and feel for warm air. If you don’t feel any air coming out, bring your car to a mechanic to tune up the heating system.[15]
    Prepare a Car for Winter Driving Step 10 Version 2.jpg
  5. Get your car inspected by a mechanic. Ask the mechanic to take a look at your car’s fluids, brakes, tires, and battery.[16] A professional should also look over the fuel system, ignition system, belts, wipers, cooling system, lights, and oil to make sure everything’s in tip-top shape for the winter weather.[17]
    Prepare a Car for Winter Driving Step 11.jpg

[Edit]Before You Drive

  1. Pack a winter supply kit in the back of your car. Store a flashlight, a whistle, a first aid kit, a cell phone, extra medicine, several blankets, a charged cell phone, warm clothes, and 3 days’ worth of food and water in your car before the winter weather hits. If your car should get stuck or stranded along the road, these supplies will keep you safe and warm while you wait for help to arrive.[18]
    Prepare a Car for Winter Driving Step 12 Version 2.jpg
    • Road flares and jumper cables are also useful to have on hand.[19]
    • Keep an extra ice scraper in the back of your car, just in case.
  2. Scrape off any ice or snow before leaving your home. Grab an ice scraper and get rid of any snow or ice that’s stuck to the top of your car, as well as your windshield and side windows. Double-check that all the snow is cleared off, even from your trunk and roof.[20]
    Prepare a Car for Winter Driving Step 13 Version 2.jpg
    • If ice or snow slips off your car while you’re driving, you may put other drivers at risk.[21]
    • In some places, you can get in legal trouble if you don’t clear off the snow and ice.
  3. Remove any snow or ice from the exhaust pipe. Squat down near your exhaust and take a peek inside. Scoop out any ice or snow that’s clogging the pipe, so your car doesn’t get filled with any noxious fumes.[22]
    Prepare a Car for Winter Driving Step 14.jpg
    • If your exhaust pipes are a bit clogged up, carbon monoxide can potentially leak into your car.
  4. Avoid driving in any bad weather if you can. Tune into your local weather station to see if any blizzards, ice storms, or other icky weather are heading in your direction. If the weather isn’t looking too great, stay home until the roads clear up a little more.[23]
    Prepare a Car for Winter Driving Step 15.jpg
    • Winter weather can be really unpredictable. It’s best to stay home whenever possible, even if you’re a skilled driver.
    • If you end up driving in wintry weather, call up the friend, family member, co-worker, or any other person you’re traveling to. Let them know that you’re caught in some bad weather and that you’ll probably be late.
    • Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do if you’re already on the road when a storm hits. If you get caught during some bad weather, do your best to drive safely.

[Edit]Tips

  • Run your car heater for a few minutes instead of leaving it on during the entire trip. This can help save you some gas in the long run.[24]
  • If you end up stuck on the side of the road, place reflective triangles behind your vehicle, so emergency services can find your vehicle more easily. You can also slip into a reflective vest.[25]
  • Your car’s paint job might look a little worse for wear after being splattered with slush, road salt, and dirt. During the colder months, consider applying a coat of wax to help keep your car protected.[26]
  • Store important documents, like your car’s registration, in a waterproof container, so they stay safe and dry during the winter weather.[27]
  • Secure your floor mats to the bottom of the car with retention clips. This way, they won’t move around beneath your feet while you’re driving.[28]

[Edit]Warnings

  • Don’t panic if you get stuck in the snow. Call an emergency car service and stay bundled up in your car until help arrives. While you wait, tie something brightly-colored around your antenna, so emergency services can find you more easily.[29]

[Edit]References

  1. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-why-tires-go-flat-in-cold-weather/
  2. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/tires/make-sure-your-tires-have-enough-tread-for-winter/
  3. ↑ https://www.penndot.gov/TravelInPA/Winter/Pages/Winter-Preparation.aspx
  4. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/winter-driving/why-you-should-be-driving-on-winter-snow-tires/
  5. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/best-tips-tools-safe-winter-driving/
  6. ↑ https://www.ase.com/News-Events/Publications/Glove-Box-Tips/Getting-Your-Vehicle-Ready-For-Winter.aspx
  7. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/best-tips-tools-safe-winter-driving/
  8. ↑ https://georgia.gov/blog-post/2017-11-15/get-your-car-winter-ready-its-too-cold
  9. ↑ https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/tools-resources/seasonal-safety/winter/driving
  10. ↑ https://georgia.gov/blog-post/2017-11-15/get-your-car-winter-ready-its-too-cold
  11. ↑ https://www.autotraining.edu/blog/how-to-choose-the-perfect-antifreeze-for-winter/
  12. ↑ https://georgia.gov/blog-post/2017-11-15/get-your-car-winter-ready-its-too-cold
  13. ↑ https://www.chicagotribune.com/consumer-reviews/sns-bestreviews-automotive-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-health-of-your-car-battery-20190212-story.html
  14. ↑ https://centralpenn.aaa.com/blog/how-maintain-your-car-battery-winter
  15. ↑ https://www.penndot.gov/TravelInPA/Winter/Pages/Winter-Preparation.aspx
  16. ↑ https://georgia.gov/blog-post/2017-11-15/get-your-car-winter-ready-its-too-cold
  17. ↑ https://www.mass.gov/service-details/prepare-your-vehicle-for-winter-driving
  18. ↑ https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1494008826172-76da095c3a5d6502ec66e3b81d5bb12a/FEMA_2017_WinterStorm_HTP_FINAL.pdf
  19. ↑ https://www.weather.gov/ilx/winter_drive2_social
  20. ↑ https://www.codot.gov/travel/winter-driving/winter-prepardness.html
  21. ↑ https://www.npr.org/2015/03/03/390410217/not-clearing-the-snow-off-your-car-before-driving-could-cost-you
  22. ↑ https://exchange.aaa.com/safety/driving-advice/winter-driving-tips/#.X4CPHxBq2fD
  23. ↑ https://exchange.aaa.com/safety/driving-advice/winter-driving-tips/#.X4CPHxBq2fD
  24. ↑ https://exchange.aaa.com/safety/driving-advice/winter-driving-tips/#.X4CPHxBq2fD
  25. ↑ https://states.aarp.org/massachusetts/safety-tips-for-winter-driving
  26. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/best-tips-tools-safe-winter-driving/
  27. ↑ https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1494008826172-76da095c3a5d6502ec66e3b81d5bb12a/FEMA_2017_WinterStorm_HTP_FINAL.pdf
  28. ↑ https://www.nhtsa.gov/winter-driving-tips
  29. ↑ https://exchange.aaa.com/safety/driving-advice/winter-driving-tips/#.X4CDhxBq2fC

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