Getting your car ready for winter means getting your vehicle winterized for cold temperatures, snow, ice, slush, and rain. Winterize your car for the long season or prepare it for the next Polar Vortex with these tips. Let’s start where the rubber meets the road so you can drive safely in snow.
10 Steps to Winterize Your Car
1. Inspect Your Tires
Your tires are the only part of your car that actually touch the road, so their condition matters most in winter. As cold weather approaches, check:
- Tread depth: Use the penny test. Insert a penny into the tread with Lincoln’s head upside down and facing you in several spots around the tire.
- If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, tread is below 2/32″ and the tire is unsafe — replace it.
- If part of his head is covered, your tread depth is still acceptable.
- For better snow performance, consider replacing tires closer to 4/32″ depth.
- Wet and snow traction: Worn tread means longer stopping distances and a greater risk of hydroplaning on snow, ice, and slush.
If your tread is low or uneven, plan on replacing your tires before the first big storm.
RELATED: Are Winter Tires Worth the Cost?
2. Fix Tire Pressure
Underinflated tires can wear faster, run hotter, and lose grip on icy or wet roads.
- Check tires “cold.” Measure pressure when the car has been parked for at least 30 minutes.
- Check pressure often in winter. Every 10°F drop can create about 1 PSI loss.
- Use the recommended PSI. Find it on the driver’s door jamb, trunk lid, or in the owner’s manual (not on the tire sidewall).
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3. Test the Battery
Cold weather makes engines harder to start and weak batteries more likely to fail. Most batteries last three to five years.
- Replace the battery if it’s weak so you’re not stranded on a freezing morning.
- If you needed jump-starts in summer, get the battery tested before winter.
- Ask for a load test at a shop or parts store to check real-world performance.
4. Change the Oil
Cold weather thickens oil, making engines harder to start and stressing the battery and starter.
- Get an oil change. Changing your oil before temperatures drop helps the engine start and lubricate quickly on cold starts.
- Use the right oil weight. Your owner’s manual may recommend a thinner grade in cold weather.
RELATED: How Often Should I Change My Oil?
5. Add Proper Coolant
Coolant (antifreeze) helps prevent your engine from overheating and freezing. Both can destroy an engine.
- Check the reservoir level (the clear plastic tank near the radiator), not the radiator cap, especially when the engine is hot.
- Use the correct type and mix ratio listed in your owner’s manual. Most use a 50/50 coolant mix, but different engines use different coolants.
- Select protection for your climate (e.g., to 0°F, -20°F, or lower) and have the system inspected for leaks if you smell coolant or see puddles.
6. Check Belts and Hoses
Cold weather makes rubber parts more susceptible to cracking or failure.
- Replace worn parts now so you’re not stranded on a freezing roadside.
- Inspect belts for cracks, fraying, or glazing.
- Check hoses for leaks, bulges, or soft spots.
7. Choose AWD or 4WD
AWD and 4WD can improve traction in snow to get you moving, but only if they function correctly and you know how to utilize them.
- Engage the system briefly before winter to ensure it works and avoid surprises in a storm.
- Review your owner’s manual to learn how and when to activate 4WD or drive modes (some require the vehicle to be in Park or Neutral).
- Check for snow mode or a locking differential and learn how to activate it.
SAFETY TIP: AWD and 4WD does not help you stop or turn on ice. Braking is still limited by tire grip.
RELATED: AWD vs. 4WD: Know the Differences
8. Monitor Brakes
Brakes must be in top shape for snow, ice, and slush. Watch for warning signs:
- Grinding or squealing when you brake.
- Pulling to one side.
- Pulsing or vibrating pedal in normal stops (not just during ABS).
If you notice any of these or your pads are thin, have the brakes inspected and repaired before winter hits.
9. Change Wiper Blades
Good visibility is critical in snow, slush, and salt spray.
- Consider winter wiper blades, which handle heavy snow and ice buildup better.
- Replace worn blades if they streak, skip, or look cracked and brittle.
RELATED: How to Change Wiper Blades
10. Fill Fluids
Winter driving throws snow, slush, and salt on your windshield fast.
- Check other fluids (brake, power steering, transmission) and top off or service as needed.
- Top off washer fluid with a winter blend rated for freezing temps (0°F, -20°F, or lower). Never dilute winter washer fluid with plain water, which can freeze in lines and nozzles.
- Keep a spare jug in the trunk for long trips or storms.
Editor’s Note: We have updated this article since its initial publication. Rick Kranz contributed to the report.
