For many, driving in the winter means snow, sleet, ice and fog that can lead to slower traffic, hazardous road conditions, hot engine temperatures and unforeseen dangers. However, even if you live in a warm climate, you may plan to visit friend or family in a colder milieu over the holidays or drive up to the mountains for a little skiing, snowboarding or snowmobiling.
To help you skate through winter, we’ve put together a list of suggestions to make certain that you and your ride are ready for the upcoming cold season. Some of these are obvious (but it’s the obvious that most often gets overlooked) and some of them may seem counterintuitive (remember the first time you heard your driving instructor tell you to turn in the direction of the skid?), but a little preparation will prevent a lot of headache and expense.
1. Have a 30,000-mile full service, if it’s due.
If it’s time for a 30,000-mile full service for your vehicle, do it! The service will include an oil change, among other things. The new oil should be the right viscosity for your vehicle at this time of year. Oil thickens as it gets colder, and if it’s too thick it can’t properly lubricate your engine. Check your owner’s manual to determine which oil to use in different climates and temperatures.
2. Replace the windshield wiper blades.
When did you last replace your windshield wiper blades? They are usually only effective for about six months to a year. Also, fill the windshield washer reservoir—with windshield washer fluid, never plain water; it can corrode the system and, in winter, it can freeze.
3. Give your battery some attention.
Unless your battery is a sealed type, make sure it has all the fluid it needs and the battery posts and connections are secure and corrosion-free. If the battery is more than three years old, have its ability to hold a charge tested.
4. Examine your belts and hoses.
When you have that full service done on your vehicle, make sure they check the belts and hoses for wear and tear—even if it’s a newer car. Cold weather can affect belts and hoses, so they deserve attention.
5. Check your tire pressure.
To ensure you have the best possible traction in wet, snowy or icy conditions, your tires must be properly inflated. Air contracts when cold (approximately 1 psi for every 10-degree drop), so the tires may become low as the temperature drops.
6. Make sure the tires are in good condition.
Check tires for cracks in the sidewalls and around the beads, and for damaged or heavily worn treads. Tires should not be have less than 2/32 inch tread for normal tires and 5/32 inch for snow tires. If you live in an area where it snows a lot, you can improve traction even more by using snow tires in the winter instead of all-season tires. Alternatively, keep tire chains handy and learn how to install them.
7. Flush the cooling system and replace the coolant/antifreeze.
Use the right antifreeze mixture. A 50-50 mix of antifreeze (coolant) will prevent the mixture from freezing even at ridiculously cold temperatures. It’s easy to check the status of the mixture with an inexpensive antifreeze tester, which you can pick up at any auto parts store.
8. Check your brakes.
If you haven’t had your brakes checked in the last six months, do so. Replace worn brake pads or linings. Having maximum stopping power is essential. Make sure the brake fluid reservoir is filled.
9. Prepare an emergency kit.
Items to keep in a vehicle include a flashlight, cell phone and charger, extra washer fluid, good ice scraper and snowbrush, spray de-icer, blankets, snacks (including hard candy), bottled water, flares, jumper cables, tool kit, first-aid kit and warm clothing, including gloves. Keep these things in your trunk during the winter months, especially if you plan a road trip during the season. A bag of abrasive material such as sand or non-clumping kitty litter can provide additional traction if a tire gets stuck in snow. Also, keep the gas tank as full as you can to prevent moisture from forming in the gas lines and freezing.
10. Fix scratches, dings and existing rust.
It may seem small, but that little scratch on the quarter panel or that door ding can be like an eight-lane highway for water to get under your paint, and the result is rust…and if you already have small pits and bubbles in your paint, the cancer is more than likely already there and will only get worse. Do a thorough survey of your vehicle’s body, checking those places where water gathers, and fill in the damage…a little money now will save you a lot of money down the road.
11. Wax your vehicle.
Give your vehicle a nice, fresh coat of wax before the weather goes bad. In addition to protecting your paint finish from the ravages of heat and UV rays during the summer months, wax keeps moisture on top of the paint, where it belongs, and helps protect the finish against corrosive effects of road salt.
12. Wash your car often.
Most car washes in snow country stay open during the winter months and have undercarriage cleaning equipment to help fight the buildup of road salt and road grime. If a car wash is not convenient, a do-it-yourself wash with a pressurized nozzle will do the trick. Remember, even one ski trip can do damage. (IMPORTANT: Make sure the areas around the insides of the doors and trunk, as well as area around the power antenna, are thoroughly dried.)
13. Treat Weather Stripping.
Periodically, apply a good silicone spray to all weather stripping during freezing weather as water will not collect evenly on silicone-treated surfaces.
Source: DUB Magazine
