Five Tips to Prep Your Vehicle For the Winter Months

As the temperatures start to drop and the first hints of snow are in the air, it’s time to start thinking about getting your vehicle ready for winter. Properly preparing your car for winter can help you deal with snow, ice, and other winter driving hazards. Before you head out on the road again, make sure your car is ready by following these winter prep tips.

Check Your Tires

Having good tires is key to maintaining traction on slick roads. First, make sure your tires have the proper amount of tread on them. The easiest way to do this is with a penny. Simply take the penny and place it in the groove with Lincoln’s head pointing down. If you can see all of his head, your tread is too low and you need to replace your tires.

If the tread is still good, you also want to check the air pressure. You can use a simple gauge to check the pressure, and follow the guidelines in your owner’s manual for the correct pressure level.

Pack an Emergency Kit

One of the most important things you can do to get your car ready for winter is packing an emergency kit. This kit will have what you need to help you if you get stranded on the road during winter. Some of the items you should include are a small shovel, ice scraper, road flares, flashlight, radio, cell phone charger, first aid kit, blankets, extra pairs of gloves, change of warm clothes, high-energy snacks, and a bag of sand or kitty litter for traction.

Switch to Winter Windshield Washer Fluid

Not all windshield washer fluids are equal. The formula used for spring, summer, and fall can actually freeze as soon as it hits the windshield. However, winter windshield washer fluid includes a special de-icer that not only prevents it from freezing, it also helps remove any snow or ice already on your windshield. That’s why it’s important to make the switch before winter weather hits.

Use Winter-Grade Engine Oil

If you’re getting your oil changed right before winter, consider switching to oil with a lower viscosity grade for cold weather. The first number indicates the viscosity of the oil, and the lower number, the better it is at handling cold weather. Therefore, if you typically use 10W-30 oil, switch to 5W-30 oil during the winter to get a thinner viscosity that handles cold temperatures better.

Check Your Battery

Cold morning starts are difficult on your battery, and weak car batteries might not have enough energy to get your vehicle started. To make sure your battery doesn’t leave you stranded, have it checked before winter. While only professional equipment can accurately tell you if the battery is weak, you can do a visual inspection as well. If you see signs of corrosion or cracking, it might be time for a new battery.

Make sure you can handle all the challenges that come along with winter by performing these important winter car prep tips before cold weather strikes.