Winter Weather Driving Preparation

Woke to falling snow this morning, a cold and wet reminder winter weather is arriving. Have you prepared your vehicle for the winter road conditions ahead? Owning an all-wheel drive automobile or four wheel drive SUV still requires seasonal attention to make sure all is in top condition and will get you safely to you destination.

Test the Car Battery

Make sure the battery in your vehicle is working correctly. If you are handy under the hood, test the battery’s charge using a voltmeter, or take your vehicle into a local shop and have their techs do the test. Be sure the battery cables are securely attached, and the terminals free from corrosion. With the start of the cold temperatures, a battery which is over three years old should be evaluated by a mechanic to determine how reliable it will be or just replaced. Being stranded with a failed battery is inconvenient anytime of year.

Replace Worn Windshield Wipers and Washer Fluid

Be sure to check your wiper blades, since heavy spray and splashback during wet weather conditions can result in limited visibility. Consider changing to winter blades during the cold weather since they are able to handle the heavy snow and ice. Do not forget the the rear window wiper if your vehicle has one, since having best possible visibility all around will keep you safer.

Check all the windshield washer fluid reservoirs, making sure to use an all-season or winter type. If you live in a region with very cold winter temperatures, be sure to check the lowest temperature that specific brand of fluid can be expected to perform correctly.

Check Heater and Defroster

Turn your heater on to make sure it is working now as the cold weather season begins, instead of waiting to find it doesn’t work on a snowy, zero degree morning. Be sure to test both the front window and rear window defrosters, along with the heated exterior mirrors.

Check Antifreeze and Cooling System

Before the winter temperatures drop, drain and replace the coolant in the vehicle’s radiator. Industry recommendations are refilling with a blend of fifty percent antifreeze, fifty percent water, should be done annually. The vehicle owner’s manual lists the proper coolant level for your model. Ensure the reserve/overflow tank contains the correct fluid level.

Check the Tires

While the tires on a vehicle should be checked all year round to ensure they are balanced, in alignment for even tread wear and properly inflated, driving in winter road conditions requires the tires be at their optimum condition. You can find the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle inside the driver’s side door, on the doorframe or in the owner’s manual.

If the tires are worn, then best to consider replacing them before the first snowfall. 

Depending on where you reside, the all-weather (formerly known as all-season) tire may be a perfect choice. These tires are made by combining a compound which remains flexible in extremely cold temperatures with another compound which does not become too soft in warm temperatures.

In areas which receive heavy snow and ice, consider going with a dedicated winter (formally known as snow) tire. They are designed with a tread to grip the pavement better in both snow and ice while remaining supple in cold conditions.

Be sure to check local laws since some states require drivers to use studded winter tires or have tire chains to use during bad road conditions. If you go with chains, best try a trail run or two, and become familiar with how to put them on the tires before you are on a foot or more of snow and must get the chains on the tires.

Gas Tank

While personally always keeping the gas tank full year round, letting the fuel amount drop below half during the cold winter season allows for more chance of water condensation to form and travel into the fuel lines. There it can freeze, and stop the engine from getting the fuel it needs to start, leaving you stranded.

Motor Oil

Be sure to keep the vehicle motor oil and filter changed at the manufacturer’s recommended intervals, or more often, using the correct weight of oil for the model.  

As the temperatures drop and can stay low for days on end, heavier motor oils will thicken and may not lubricate the engine as well. To compensate for this, some drivers and mechanics will switch the vehicle motor oil to a ‘winter weight’, which will be a less viscous oil during the cold winter season.

Headlights

Make sure all of the headlights and tail lights are clean and working properly. Clear visibility during foggy or snowy conditions will keep you safer and allow other drivers to see the vehicle approaching or braking. Replace dim light bulbs with brighter versions  readily available, and if the light cover has become cloudy, either replace the cover or clean it using one of the specific cleansers on the market.
 
~~~~~

Some additional actions to put on your seasonal vehicle care list.

Consider having an overall inspection done on the vehicle, where the brakes, exhaust system and under-carriage get a full preventative check-up.

The winter road salt and sand can be tough on a vehicle’s finish, so periodically wash the vehicle to remove this dirty build-up. While a hose in the driveway can do the trick, getting all the salt, sand and mud from the under-carriage might require a visit to a mechanical car wash.

If you are not already using them year round, suggest getting winter floor mats to protect the vehicle’s carpeting.

Place a container of rock salt or kitty litter in the trunk, as both are excellent for getting traction on packed snow or ice should the vehicle become stuck and the wheels spin uselessly. Depending on the roads you travel, add a small snow shovel in case you need to clear a path for the tires.

This should be a year round item for all vehicles: a first-aid kit.

—

While all of the above focused on preparing and maintaining a vehicle for the winter season, do not forget the to also prepare for the passengers.

Be sure to prepare an emergency kit containing jumper cables, flares and/or reflectors, a knife, a flashlight, a blanket or two, some water, gloves and spare socks to replace wet ones. 

If heading on a road trip, be sure to include ready to eat foods and possibly extra water. Take along paper maps of where you will be traveling since a vehicle breakdown may include the loss of GPS and your mobile phone access may be limited due to no service and/or limited battery.

Some of these suggestions are just common sense and easy to accomplish, while others will require time and an appointment with a mechanic and/or car tech. Preventative action year round can keep you and your vehicle safe, but especially in Winter.