Take a Look at Your Battery

The colder temperatures get, the harder your battery has to work to get your car running. In fact, your car’s battery is half as effective at 0 as it is at 80. That’s a big difference from summer to winter. At home, you can easily take a look at your battery and check for any corrosion or buildup on the wires and connections that transfer power from the battery to your engine.

A Mechanic Can Also Test Your Battery

To make sure your battery is ready for winter temperatures, you can bring your car to an auto shop or mechanic for a battery test. This can easily determine how much life is left in your car’s battery and how it’s likely to fare through the winter. If you’re not quite ready to replace your battery, it’s a good idea to have a set of jumper cables on hand through the winter in case you have trouble getting your car started in the morning.

Check Your Tires

Traction is key through the winter. When you run into snowy and icy road conditions, you want to make sure your tires are most able to maintain contact with the road and keep you from sliding. As we get closer to winter, take a look at your tires’ tread and make sure they are not over-worn. If you’re not sure you have adequate tread for wintery roads, it’s a good idea to get new tires.

Don’t Forget to Pay Attention to Tire Pressure

While you’re checking out your tire treads, take a look at your tire pressure, too. Your owner’s manual should tell you the proper tire pressure for your car. In the winter, the low end of adequate tire pressure can easily turn into too-low tire pressure due to dropping temperatures, which cause lowered pressure. Just as you should be careful of overfilling your tires in the summer to prevent blowouts, you should be careful of underfilling your tires in the winter.

Schedule an Oil Change & Tune Up

Regardless of season, it’s recommended that you get an oil change at least once or twice a year. Your owner’s manual will give specific recommendations for your car but generally speaking, engine oil will degrade after six months, regardless of how dirty it gets from use. With each major season change, it’s a good idea to think about getting an oil change.

Engine Oil Thickens with Colder Temperatures

Another reason to keep up with regular oil changes as winter approaches is because colder temperatures cause engine oil to thicken. If you already are running on older engine oil that is thicker than fresh engine oil, this can cause difficulty getting your car started. Thicker oil also will not do as good of a job keeping your engine lubricated, meaning it takes more effort to keep your engine running.

Ensure You Maintain Visibility in Bad Weather

Maintaining visibility is crucial at any time of the year. However, during the winter, snowy and slushy roads can make for especially difficult driving conditions that are only made worse by a windshield you just can’t keep clear. Before winter hits, make sure your windshield wipers aren’t streaky and top off your wiper fluid to make sure you can see where you’re headed and stay safe on the road.

Stock an Emergency Kit in Your Car

While most people get through winter without being stranded on the side of the road, it’s best to prepare for the worst case scenario. Keep some non-perishable snacks, bottles of water, and blankets in your car, especially if you’re headed into the mountains for a day of skiing. Bad weather can hit fast and you don’t want to be stuck with no way to take care of yourself.

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