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Winterizing Your Vehicle

Let it snow—you're ready to go!

A carpet of fresh snow, crisp air, icicle-decorated trees—all very heartwarming concepts when viewed from in front of a roaring fireplace. Yet, whatever your view of winter may be, one reality that can't be escaped is that we all have to maintain a fairly normal driving schedule for the duration of the season.

Checklist

If that first winter's snow storm—when the temperature dips below freezing and threatens to stay there for months—sends you deep into your down comforter, think how your automobile must feel. Just as homeowners must make changes around late October to prepare themselves for winter, consider the following checklist as your strategy to prepare the household's transportation for the rigors of the season.

Anti-Freeze Check

First, check your anti-freeze. Most anti-freezes are an ethylene glycol based fluid with low freezing and high boiling points when mixed with water. As one example, GM vehicles use a particular anti-freeze with a 100,000-mile or 10-year rating. We specifically mention this because (it's red in color) it shouldn't be mixed with other anti-freezes (usually green or beige).

The rule of thumb for changing the fluid is simple: if you didn't change it last winter, do it now. The recommended lifetime is two years or 30,000 miles, whichever comes first. Even if the fluid looks relatively fresh, anti-freezes include chemicals that lubricate water pumps and inhibit engine corrosion. These chemicals lose their punch at the end of the recommended lifetime.

Oil Check

Next is the motor oil. Check your owner's manual for the manufacturer's recommended winter rating. A 10W30-weight oil works for everything short of arctic or alpine winter conditions. If you use thicker oil for severe summer driving conditions and are looking at a comparatively cold winter, this is the time to change the oil and switch to a thinner weight.

Wiper/Washer Check

As for wipers and washer fluid, if your wiper blades are marginal, they probably won't hold up well under the assault of salted-road slush. Most washer solvents are good to 10 degrees below zero, which for most of civilization is adequate. If part of your winter tradition is a trip to the mountains, you may opt for a washer solvent that can handle even lower temperatures. Check to see whether you've picked up a few windshield dings, because this is a good time to have them repaired. The combination of cold air temperature and a warm auto interior can quickly escalate a ding into a serious crack. While we're on the subject of a warm interior, don't forget to check your heater. That way you can find out if it needs maintenance before you really need it.

Battery Check

Now for the battery and charging system. If your battery is within a year of its life expectancy, have it tested. It's far easier to deal with an aging battery on a pleasant fall weekend than a totally dead one in the dreary dark of winter. A weak battery and/or alternator may not be able to deliver the amperage required for a winter-cold start.

Tune Time

If you're due for a tune-up, this is a good time to head to your mechanic. Your vehicle can use all the help it can get during the coming months. A new set of plugs, distributor cap and rotor (if applicable) and ignition wires will give you better, quicker starts.

Belts/Hoses Check

Check all the belts and hoses: Cracked, frayed, or worn rubber may not make it through the winter. Freezing temperatures and winter driving conditions put an added strain on the engine. Plus, a breakdown because of a $10 hose or belt is doubly annoying on a winter night.

Tire Check

Speaking of worn rubber, take a close look at your tread. Driving on packed snow and ice-riddled roads requires as much traction as your tires can deliver. Those who live in the mountains or extreme-winter states routinely change to snow tires for the winter. Most of us don't have to go to that extreme, but if your tires' footprints look thin, a new set is in order. Be very particular when inspecting the tread on the rear tires, at least on rear-wheel drive/front engine vehicles. This is where you really need the grip. Keep in mind that unless you're loaded down with cargo in the trunk or truck bed, there's not much weight back there to help in the traction department.

Exhaust Check

Exhaust dangers: Check your exhaust system and your floorboards while you're down under the vehicle. If you've got a carbon monoxide leak in your exhaust pipe, plus an avenue for the fumes to get into the passenger area, you could be real danger. With the heater on and windows shut tight, a fume leak can be fatal.

Once you've run through this checklist, you should be pretty much ready for winter driving—and can make it over the river and through the woods with a lot more peace of mind.