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Brisk temperatures, bare trees and shorter days signal that change is in the air. Winter is right around the corner which means it is time to make sure that you and your vehicle are prepared for the hazards that come with it.
Harsh winter temperatures and snowy or icy conditions can have a significant impact on your vehicle’s functionality and your drive. However, with a focus on winterizing your car, you should have no problem facing the elements.
Here is a car maintenance checklist for getting your car ready for the cold.
On winter’s coldest mornings, you’ll need your car’s battery to be fully charged and in good condition to start the engine. Your vehicle relies on electricity from the battery to start. Colder temperatures cause chemical reactions within the battery which, in turn, makes electricity slow down and hinders your vehicle’s ability to reach max power.
It is imperative to have your battery checked before winter especially if you had any issues that required you to jump start it during the summer. The last thing you want is to be stranded somewhere on a cold winter morning or night. AAA-Owned Car Care and AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities can test and replace weak batteries. If you do encounter a battery problem at home or on the road, AAA Members can request a visit from roadside assistance for AAA Mobile Battery Service—a technician will test your battery and replace it onsite, if necessary.
Antifreeze is a mixture of water and ethylene glycol, or propylene glycol. It is essential for keeping your vehicle’s engine functioning properly no matter the season. Without it, your engine could overheat in the summer or seize up in the winter. Though water and other coolants can cool your vehicle, they are more susceptible to the winter weather elements. Without the chemical properties of antifreeze, water and other coolants will freeze and expand.
This expansion could cause severe damage to your engine, and even damage the block. The chemicals that make up antifreeze prevent the liquid from freezing which keeps your engine from seizing in colder weather. They also protect your engine from corrosion.
As winter approaches, check the coolant in the overflow tank when the engine is cold and turned off. If the level is low, add a 50/50 solution of coolant and distilled water to maintain the necessary antifreeze capability. Test the antifreeze protection level annually with an inexpensive tester available at most auto parts stores—including NAPA Auto Parts, where AAA Members save 10 percent on most parts and accessories.
If you live in snowy places, then you are probably familiar with scraping ice-covered windshields and windows. It is an arduous, chilly task that causes frustrating delays. By adding hydrophobic repellent like Rain-X to your windshield, scraping will be easier than you think.
Be sure that your windshield is clean and dry when starting the application process. Debris and moisture on the windshield could interfere with the treatment’s ability to properly adhere thereby reducing its effectiveness. If properly applied, scraping off the ice will be much easier this winter.
If your windows were not treated, and you are having trouble scraping, do not rush the process by pouring hot water on your icy windows. The rapid temperature change could cause them to crack leaving you with bigger problems to deal with.
Check the inflation pressure of all four tires and the spare more frequently in winter. This is especially important if you reside in a state that regularly deals with snowy and icy roads. Snow and ice make roads slick and difficult for tires to gain traction. It is important to be ready for the season whether that means inspecting your current tires or changing to winter ready tires.
As temperatures drop, so will tire pressures—typically by 1 PSI (pounds per square inch) for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Proper tire pressure levels can be found in the owner’s manual or on a sticker typically located on the driver’s door jamb (note that the PSI molded on a tire sidewall is its maximum PSI), not what it should be set to.
Examine tires for tread depth. If you notice any uneven wearing and cupping, then you may encounter difficulty driving this winter. Tires with less than 4/32” of tread will have reduced traction in wet and snowy conditions. In extreme climates, a set of winter tires may be a wise investment.
Winter tires can be identified by a snowflake on their sidewall. They are designed to give you more traction in the snow. There is roughly a 33% increase in acceleration from a complete stop and a 30-foot reduction in necessary stopping distance.
They are also 48% faster on ice while mitigating side-skids when making turns. Though this is an expensive investment that could cost more than $600, plus annual tire-swap fees, they could prevent a costly accident. If you would prefer to stick with all season tires, having a set of chains on hand for added traction could be a worthwhile alternative.
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With darker days and snowy weather limiting visibility, having clear, functional headlights is essential for your safety and the safety of others. Cloudy headlights reduce your ability to see and be seen at night, especially in snow and fog.
Snow, dirt and grime hinder your headlight’s ability to illuminate your path. To ensure that they are ready for the winter, consider purchasing a headlight restoration kit. They allow you to restore your headlight housing so that you can achieve the best visibility. These kits range from $20 to $40 and are available at most auto stores.
Headlight restoration kits typically come with sanding discs that can be used on plastics and other soft materials, wax coating and some masking tape. The sanding discs are designed to be used with a common household drill.
Simply attach the sanding disc to the drill, sand off the film and debris build up, then, when it is nice and clear, add a layer of wax to protect the clarity. The process is simple, but somewhat labor intensive and the results are not permanent. To ensure continued clarity, this process should be repeated every one to three years.
Aside from cleaning your headlights, it is important to make sure they are functioning properly. Prior to winter, you should consider the following:
Car brakes don’t always give a warning when they’re worn low or experiencing other problems, and you don’t want to discover there’s an issue with them on an icy road. Have them checked before winter arrives and monitor for symptoms throughout the winter as well.
The combination of snow, moisture and road salts is a breeding ground for rust. If you live in states where winter snow is an annual occurrence, then some level of rust is inevitable. However, too much rust build up can cause your vehicle’s rotors to become rough and uneven. There is also a risk of rust transfer from your rotors to your pads which affects braking. Symptoms of brake issues include strange noises, sticking brake pads and reduced stopping ability.
With winter approaching, it is important to be prepared for emergencies with items in a car emergency kit. It is not always fun thinking about potential negative outcomes, but taking some time to prepare could prove advantageous when the thing you hope will never happen, does. Snow could leave you stranded on the side of a road; your car could fail to start, or you could experience an accident as a result of icy roads.
If it is an especially snowy day, you could be stuck in falling temperatures for an extended period waiting for rescue. That is why you should always keep an emergency kit equipped for winter weather handy. The safety items should include:
Getting ready for winter may feel like a daunting task, but it is necessary to ensure your vehicle is ready for the elements. The good news is that you do not have to prepare alone. AAA is here to help. Bring your vehicle into your local AAA-Owned Car Care or AAA Approved Auto Repair Facility where a qualified technician will help you understand what your vehicle needs to be winter ready and make any necessary changes so that you can face the winter months with confidence.
Car care
Get your car ready for the winter months, whether it will face ice and snow or just cold temperatures. Now is a good time to get your car inspected. These AAA Owned Car Care locations and AAA Approved Auto Repair shops and offer one-of-a-kind, unrivaled service.
