How to Prep Your Car for a Harsh Winter
Depending on where you live in the nation, evenings are getting shorter and it won’t be long before winter starts closing in on us all. We promise not to make any Game of Thrones references for the entirety of this post.
Gearheads know it’s a good idea to get a jump on car care prep for the colder months, lest one be snarled in a lineup longer than the equator at yer local tire shop. Some items on the to-do list can be handled at home, depending on skill level and robustness of what’s available in the toolbox. But whether you’re a DIYer or require taking your car to a shop, prepping the family whip for winter is essential. Those evenings aren’t getting any longer.
[Images: Nokian, Jacktamrong/Shutterstock.com, Gumbariya/Shutterstock.com, Alones/Shutterstock.com, dexdexfu/Shutterstock.com]
Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by subscribing to our newsletter.
Tires
This is the big one - and the most obvious. Sure, there are plenty of sunshine states in which winter tires aren’t really needed; if you live in one of them, good on ya. As for the rest of us, mounting a dedicated set of winter socks is a surefire way to avoid trips to the collision center once the snow flies. You’ll notice we (and other sites with a clue or four) call these things ‘winter tires’ instead of ‘snow tires’ these days, thanks to molecular properties in the rubber which permits the tires to offer more grip when temperatures drop below 45 degrees - whether or not there is any snow on the ground.
Tires
Get winter tires mounted on a separate set of wheels if you can (it’ll help with DIY); if not, be sure to set an appointment for changeover well before the first flakes fly. Stick with recognized brand names like Nokian, though selecting studded versus studless tires from its excellent Hakkapeliitta range is a regional decision predicated on expected road conditions.
Fluids
Grandfather always said that oil is the lifeblood of an engine - and he was right. Not enough, wrong viscosity, too old: Each of these transgressions are sure to shorten the life of an internal combustion engine thanks to the oil not being properly able to protect against wear. And for all the technology baked into modern engine oil, wild winter temperature swings don’t really help matters.
Fluids
Performing a simple oil and filter change before the snow flies is cheap insurance against expensive problems down the road. It’s also not a bad time to service other vehicle fluids which are frequently overlooked: coolant, brake fluid, and diff fluid all eventually wear out.
Finishes
It doesn’t take much to ward off the scourge of winter salt and road grime, with a scattered comprehensive wash - including the vehicle’s undercarriage - making for a solid start to prevent corrosion. Like the other areas mentioned in this post, being proactive can help set the table for easier maintenance during winter months.
Finishes
Undercoating from your favorite supplier helps, despite some nattering conspiracy theorists who say it just ‘traps’ moisture that’s already in place. Nonsense. Do avoid those gimmicky solutions advertised on late-night television and sketchy internet banner ads. If you can, adding a layer of protection to the car’s paint can also be an immense help.
