Getting Your Car Ready for Winter: What to Check Before Cold Weather Hits
What to check before winter arrives
Winter driving puts stress on every part of your car. Cold temperatures thicken oil, reduce battery power by up to 50 percent, and make tires lose grip. Before the first freeze, you need to check your battery, tire tread and pressure, fluid levels, brakes, and wipers. Most of these take 30 minutes to an hour and cost nothing if you do them yourself. If you find problems, fixing them now costs far less than a breakdown on a winter road.
Start with the battery. Turn on your headlights and interior lights while the engine is off. If they dim noticeably or flicker, the battery is weak. A battery that is more than three years old should be tested at any auto parts store — most do it free. Cold weather will expose a battery that is already failing.
Next, check your tires. Use a penny: insert it into the tread with Lincoln's head upside down. If you can see the top of his head, the tread is too shallow for winter. Winter tires grip better than all-season tires in snow and ice, but all-season tires with good tread will work if winter tires are not an option. Check tire pressure when the car is cold, before you drive. Pressure drops about one pound per square inch for every 10 degrees the temperature falls.
Key Takeaways
- Test your battery before winter, especially if it is more than three years old, because cold cuts its power by half.
- Check tire tread with a penny and inflate to the pressure listed on your driver's door jamb, not the sidewall of the tire.
- Top off coolant, windshield washer fluid, and brake fluid, and have your brakes inspected if you hear noise or feel soft pedal response.
- Replace windshield wipers and keep an ice scraper, jumper cables, and a blanket in your car at all times during winter.
- If your car has not been serviced in the last six months, have the oil and filter changed before cold weather arrives.
Fluids that matter in winter
Winter demands more from your fluids. Coolant keeps your engine from freezing and from overheating. Check the level when the engine is cold by looking at the translucent reservoir under the hood — it should be between the minimum and maximum marks. If it is low, top it off with the coolant type your owner's manual specifies. Do not mix types.
Windshield washer fluid rated for winter temperatures is essential. Summer washer fluid freezes solid in cold weather and will not spray. Buy winter-grade fluid — it is labeled for the lowest temperature it can handle, usually down to -20 or -30 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the reservoir full.
Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air over time, and moisture lowers the boiling point. In winter, when brakes work harder, old brake fluid can fail. Check the level in the brake fluid reservoir. If it is low, have a mechanic inspect the brake system for leaks before you add fluid. Do not top it off yourself if the level has dropped since the last time you checked.
Brakes and wipers need attention
Winter braking is harder on your brake system. Listen for squealing or grinding when you brake. Feel for a soft or spongy pedal, or a pedal that sinks to the floor. Any of these signs means the brakes need inspection before winter. Brake pads wear faster in winter because you brake more often and harder. If your last brake service was more than two years ago, have the pads and rotors checked.
Windshield wipers deteriorate in cold and UV light. If your wipers streak, skip, or leave gaps, replace them. Winter wiper blades have a rubber coating that resists ice buildup better than standard blades. Buy the correct size for your vehicle — the driver and passenger sides are often different — and follow the package instructions to install them. Most auto parts stores will install them free if you buy them there.
What to keep in your car during winter
Breakdowns happen in winter, and you may wait hours for help. Keep a kit in your car year-round, but check it before winter and add winter-specific items. Include jumper cables or a portable jump starter, a blanket or emergency bivy, a flashlight with extra batteries, a first aid kit, and a phone charger. Add an ice scraper, a small shovel, sand or kitty litter for traction, and a set of jumper cables rated for your engine size.
Keep a spare quart of oil and a quart of coolant in the trunk. If you run low, you can top off without waiting for a service station. Bring extra windshield washer fluid — you will use more in winter. A small tool kit with pliers, a wrench, and a screwdriver can help you handle minor roadside problems. A reflective vest and warning triangles make you visible to other drivers if you break down on a highway.
Oil and filter changes before winter
Cold thickens oil, making it harder for your engine to turn over and for oil to flow to moving parts. If your oil is thick or dirty, winter makes the problem worse. Check your owner's manual for the recommended oil viscosity — it will be listed as something like 5W-30 or 10W-40. The first number is the cold-weather rating; a lower number flows better in cold. If you live where temperatures drop below zero, use the thinnest viscosity your manual allows.
If your last oil change was more than six months ago or more than 5,000 miles ago, change the oil and filter before winter. Dirty oil does not protect your engine in cold weather. If you change your own oil, dispose of the old oil at a service station, auto parts store, or municipal hazardous waste facility — never pour it down a drain or into the ground.
Lights and visibility in winter darkness
Winter days are short and snow reduces visibility. Check that all your lights work: headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals. Turn on the headlights and walk around the car to confirm each light is bright. Have someone press the brake pedal while you watch the brake lights. Replace any bulb that is dim or out.
Clean your headlights and taillights. Road salt and grime build up in winter and reduce light output. Use a soft cloth and headlight cleaner, or a paste of baking soda and water. If your headlights are cloudy or yellowed, they may need polishing or replacement. Dim headlights are a safety hazard in winter darkness and snow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need winter tires or will all-season tires work?
All-season tires with good tread will work in most winter conditions, but winter tires grip better in snow and ice because the rubber stays flexible in cold. If you live where it snows regularly or temperatures stay below 45 degrees for weeks, winter tires are worth the cost. If you get occasional snow and roads are salted quickly, all-season tires are usually enough.
How often should I check my tire pressure in winter?
Check tire pressure at least once a month during winter, and again after a big temperature drop. Pressure changes about one pound per square inch for every 10-degree change. Check pressure when the car has been parked for at least three hours, so the tires are cold. Use the pressure listed on your driver's door jamb, not the number on the tire sidewall.
What should I do if my car won't start in the winter?
Try turning on the headlights. If they are very dim or do not come on, the battery is dead — use jumper cables or a portable jump starter. If the lights are bright but the engine will not turn over, the problem is likely the starter or fuel system. Let the engine warm up for a few minutes after it starts before driving, especially if it is very cold.
Can I use regular windshield washer fluid in winter?
No. Regular washer fluid freezes in cold weather and will not spray. Buy winter-grade washer fluid labeled for the lowest temperature in your area. Most winter fluid works down to -20 or -30 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the reservoir full so you have enough to melt ice and clean your windshield.
How do I know if my brakes need service before winter?
Listen for squealing or grinding when you brake. Feel for a soft pedal that sinks toward the floor, or a pedal that feels spongy. If you hear noise or feel a change in how the pedal responds, have the brakes inspected. Brake pads wear faster in winter, so if your last brake service was more than two years ago, have them checked before cold weather arrives.