Winter is hard on cars and even harder on drivers who are caught unprepared. Cold mornings drain weak batteries, slush hides potholes, and a minor breakdown on an empty road can turn serious once the temperature drops below freezing.
The good news is that most winter trouble can be prevented with a few hours of preparation in the fall.
This guide walks through what to check, what to carry and what to change about the way you drive once the first freeze arrives.
Why winter preparation matters
The National Weather Service reports that each year, on average, more than 5,000 people are killed and more than 418,000 are injured in weather-related vehicle crashes.
Cold, ice and poor visibility are a large part of that picture.
The same guidance asks drivers to fully check and winterize their vehicles before the winter season begins, not after the first storm.
Repair shops get busy once the weather turns, and a problem found in the fall is far easier to fix than one discovered on a dark January morning.
Start with the fluids
Before a longer winter trip, the NWS recommends making sure all fluid levels are full.
Each one matters for a different reason.
- Engine oil. Check the level on the dipstick with the engine off and the car on level ground. Use the grade your manufacturer recommends; FuelEconomy.gov notes that using a heavier grade than specified can lower gas mileage by 1% to 2%. If an oil change is due, get it done before winter.
- Coolant. Coolant, often called antifreeze, protects the engine from freezing as well as from overheating. Check the level in the overflow reservoir only when the engine is cold, and never open a hot radiator cap. If you are not sure the mixture suits your climate, a shop can test it quickly.
- Washer fluid. Road spray and salt film can blind you in seconds. Fill the reservoir with a winter washer fluid rated for freezing temperatures, and keep a spare jug in the trunk.
- Brake fluid. Compare the level with the marks on the side of the reservoir. A level that keeps dropping is a reason to have the brakes inspected.
Test the battery before the cold does
A battery that starts the car without complaint in September may struggle on a frozen morning.
Cold weakens the battery at the same time thick, cold oil makes the engine harder to turn over.
Many auto parts stores and repair shops will test a battery in a few minutes.
If yours is several years old or the engine has been cranking slowly, a test before winter is cheap insurance.
Look at the terminals while the hood is open.
White or green crust on the posts can block current and should be cleaned off.
Lights, heater and wipers
The NWS checklist names the lights, the heater and the windshield wipers specifically.
These are the parts that let you see and be seen when the days are short and the weather is poor.
- Lights. Walk around the car with the headlights, brake lights and turn signals on, or ask someone to help. Replace burned-out bulbs and clean hazy headlight lenses.
- Heater and defroster. Run both before winter arrives. A defroster that cannot clear the windshield is a visibility problem, not only a comfort problem.
- Wiper blades. Streaks, chatter or torn rubber mean it is time for new blades. Some drivers switch to winter blades, which are built to resist ice buildup.
Tires and traction
Tires do almost all the work on a slippery road, so give them a close look.
Check that the tread is wearing evenly and still has good depth, and look for cuts or bulges on the sidewall.
Tire pressure falls along with the temperature, which is why low-pressure warning lights so often come on during the first cold mornings of the season.
Check pressure once a month with a gauge, using the number on the driver's door jamb placard rather than the maximum printed on the tire.
FuelEconomy.gov notes that proper inflation also improves gas mileage by 0.6% on average.
Our guide on how to check your tire pressure covers the steps one by one.
If you live where snow and ice are common, ask a tire professional whether winter tires make sense for your car and your roads.
They use rubber compounds and tread patterns designed to grip in the cold.
Keep the gas tank near full
The NWS advises keeping your gas tank near full in winter to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.
A fuller tank also buys you options.
If you end up stuck in a long traffic jam or a closed highway, you have more fuel in reserve and fewer reasons to worry about the next station.
Build a winter survival kit
Breakdowns happen, and in winter the wait for help can be long and cold.
The NWS recommends carrying a Winter Storm Survival Kit in the vehicle. Its list includes:
- A mobile phone, charger and batteries
- Blankets or sleeping bags, plus extra clothing to keep dry
- A flashlight with extra batteries and a first-aid kit
- High-calorie, non-perishable food and a water container
- A shovel, a windshield scraper and brush, and a sack of sand or cat litter for traction
- A tool kit, a tow rope and battery booster cables
- A compass and road maps, so you do not depend on a phone with limited battery life
Keep the kit in a bag or bin that stays in the trunk all season.
Check it each fall, replace any food that has expired and make sure the flashlight batteries still work.
Before every winter trip
Preparation is not only a once-a-year job. Before a longer drive in cold weather, the NWS suggests avoiding traveling alone and letting someone know your timetable along with your primary and alternate routes.
It also recommends calling 511 for the latest traffic and road incidents, including construction and weather restrictions.
Every state offers this Department of Transportation service, and a quick check before you leave might change your plans for the better.
Clear all snow and ice from the windows, mirrors, lights and roof before you pull out.
A sheet of snow sliding off the roof onto the windshield at your first stop is a hazard for you and for the drivers behind you.
Adjust the way you drive
A well-prepared car still needs a careful driver. The NWS message is short: take it slow in the snow.
Black ice can be difficult to see.
If the temperature is near freezing, drive as if you are on ice, because you may be.
- Accelerate and brake gently, and leave much more following distance than you would on dry pavement.
- Slow down before curves, bridges and overpasses.
- Avoid sudden steering movements, which can start a skid.
- Skip cruise control on slippery roads so you stay in full control of your speed.
A simple fall checklist
- Check oil, coolant, washer fluid and brake fluid.
- Have the battery tested and the terminals cleaned.
- Test lights, heater, defroster and wipers.
- Inspect the tires and set pressure to the door jamb placard.
- Pack and check the winter survival kit.
- Save your state's 511 number or website.
The bottom line
Winter preparation takes an afternoon and a modest budget, and it pays you back every cold morning the car starts on the first try.
Check the fluids, battery, lights, wipers and tires, keep the tank near full, and carry a kit that could keep you warm and fed for a few hours.
Most of all, slow down when the roads turn white or the temperature hovers around freezing.
The best winter drive is the one that ends without a story to tell.
Sources and Further Reading
- National Weather Service: Prepare! Don't Let a Winter Storm Take You by Surprise — supports the weather-related crash figures, the pre-trip vehicle checks, the near-full gas tank advice, the Winter Storm Survival Kit list, the 511 recommendation and the take-it-slow-in-the-snow guidance.
- FuelEconomy.gov (US Department of Energy and EPA): Keeping Your Vehicle in Shape — supports the motor oil grade and tire pressure guidance.