10 Things You Have to Do Now to Prep Your Car For the Colder Months

As the chill sets in, you have to make sure your car is as ready for the winter as you are. Dealing with a car that isn’t winter-ready can quickly turn a simple drive into a pretty big headache -or worse.

From making sure your heater is blasting warm air to checking that your oil is fluid enough to keep the engine happy, there are several easy things you can do right now.

These are the top 10 things you need to do to prep your car for the cold.

Change Your Oil for Cold Weather

Winter can be tough on your car’s engine with cold weather thickening your oil, which can impede its flow and reduce its efficiency. To keep your engine running smoothly, consider changing your oil before the winter hits. Some vehicles benefit from switching to a thinner oil during colder months to ensure proper lubrication. However, always check your owner’s manual or consult with a technician to find out if this is advisable for your specific car model.

Maintain Heater and Defroster

Ensure your car’s heater and defroster are working effectively as winter approaches to keep you warm and your visibility clear. It’s not just about comfort; it’s a safety issue when temperatures drop. A key component in this system is your car’s air conditioner; believe it or not, it plays a crucial role in defrosting.

If your windows start fogging up, hitting the fresh air button should help clear them up quickly. It’s a good idea to have these systems checked out by a professional before the cold really sets in to avoid any chilly, foggy drives.

Check Your Coolant

Keep your engine happy this winter by checking not just the antifreeze level but the condition of the coolant itself. Coolant does more than just prevent your engine from freezing; it also includes vital anti-corrosive additives and lubricants that protect your cooling system. Use an inexpensive tester to check the freeze protection level of your coolant. Just draw some fluid from the reservoir and read the gauge.

But don’t just stop there. Make sure the additives are still effective. With a digital multimeter, measure the voltage of the coolant in a running engine; if it’s under 0.4 volts, you’re good to go. Higher readings mean it’s time to change the coolant before it leads to expensive repairs like a new radiator or water pump.

Switch to Winter Wiper Blades

Swap out your regular wiper blades for winter ones to combat the common problem of snow buildup, which can impair visibility during driving. Winter wiper blades are designed with a protective rubber boot that keeps ice and snow from accumulating, ensuring they wipe cleanly and effectively. Before the first snowfall, remove your current blades, store them for spring, and clip on the winter blades.

Lube Weather Stripping

To avoid being literally frozen out of your car, give some TLC to your door’s weather stripping. If water gets trapped between the stripping and the door and then freezes, it can be a real pain to get into your vehicle.

A quick fix is to use spray silicone. Instead of spraying directly onto the weather stripping, which could mess up your car’s interior, spray it onto a clean rag first. Then, wipe the rag along the weather stripping on your doors and trunk.

Do the same for the surfaces where the doors meet the frame. This simple step can save you from a lot of frustration on those frosty mornings.

Consider Winter Tires

Think about getting winter tires if you live in a snowy area. Known also as snow tires—look for the snowflake on the sidewall—these tires are designed to provide significantly better traction. They’ll get you moving 33% faster from a stop and cut down your stopping distance by almost 30 feet when compared to all-season tires.

They’re not just for snow. On ice, they can stop you 48% quicker and greatly reduce slipping during turns. Yes, a set of winter tires might set you back about $600 or more, but they’re a worthwhile investment.

If they prevent just one accident, they could pay for themselves, especially considering the high cost of deductibles and potential increases in insurance premiums.

Clean Battery Terminals

To keep your car starting smoothly throughout the cold months, pay attention to the battery terminals. Corrosion at these connection points can lead to hard starts or prevent your battery from charging properly.

Start by disconnecting the negative cable, followed by the positive. Use a battery cleaning tool or a wire brush to scrub both the posts and the terminals clean. Wipe away any grease or acid residue with a paper towel.

Once everything is clean, reconnect the positive terminal first, then the negative to ensure a good, clean connection that won’t let you down when temperatures drop.

Lubricate Window Tracks

Don’t let winter freeze your car windows in place. Water can get into the tracks, freeze, and cause serious damage to the window regulator cables, an avoidable expense if you act now. Use a spray silicone or dry Teflon lubricant on the window tracks.

Simply lower the windows, apply the spray liberally along the front and back tracks until it drips down. Then, run the window up and down several times to distribute the lubricant evenly. If any spray gets on the glass, a quick wipe with glass cleaner will clean it right up.

Ensure Adequate Tire Tread

Before winter hits, make sure your tires are up to the task. Worn tires seriously undermine your car’s grip, especially on icy or wet roads, making your drive not just tricky but genuinely risky. Although the legal minimum tread depth is often 2/32 inches, for safer winter driving, you’ll want at least 4/32 inches.

Why risk a minor skid that could cost you big in repairs and higher insurance premiums? It’s smarter to invest in new or specialized snow tires now.

To check your tire tread, grab an affordable tread depth gauge and measure both the center and edges of each tire.

Test Your Car Battery

Remember, your car’s battery won’t last forever, and a dead battery in cold weather is more than an inconvenience—it could leave you stuck in the cold. Take the proactive approach and test your battery, along with your car’s starter and charging system, using a computerized battery tester.

This tool doesn’t just measure voltage; it also assesses internal resistance and conductance to gauge overall battery health. Choose a tester compatible with various battery types, including lead-acid, gel, and AGM, so you can use it across different vehicles and equipment.