Prepare Your Vehicle for the Winter

1. Tires

With adverse weather and slippery road conditions increasingly likely when winter weather arrives, you should inspect the tires, including a tread depth measurement, and adjust inflation pressures to specifications. If you need new tires, a seasonal tread could optimize traction throughout winter.

2. Antifreeze

With sub-zero temperatures ahead, the antifreeze needs to be at its best to prevent the water within the engine cooling system from freezing. This can lead to catastrophic damage, so be sure to inspect the coolant fluid/antifreeze to prepare for winter.

3. Battery Inspection with Electrical Testing

Batteries don’t last very long, and sub-zero conditions can push a faulty battery into the grave. But you can verify reliable battery performance this winter with a battery inspection, including electrical testing, to ensure peak reliability before winter arrives.

4. Multi-Point Vehicle Inspection

This is the recommended staging point for winter readiness and is a comprehensive bumper-to-bumper evaluation of primary systems and components. It is always good to get a thorough inspection every 6 months, but the stakes are higher when sub-zero temperatures and driving safety are on the line. Be sure that your winter readiness plan features a multi-point inspection by a qualified technician.

5. Windshield Wiper Blades and Winter Blend Wiper Fluid

With rain, snow, and wintery mix probable, you should inspect and replace old wiper blades before winter. It is also a good idea to install winter blend windshield wiper fluid to remove ice from the windshield better.

6. Heating Components and Comfort Accessories Inspection

You will need a strong heater and defroster in sub-zero temperatures, so be sure to inspect them before winter. It is also a good idea to check the steering wheel and seat warmers to ensure that they are ready to keep extremities warm while driving.

7. Roadside Safety Kit

Although it’s always a good judgment to keep a roadside safety kit, winter conditions raise the importance of maintaining a kit in the trunk with a blanket, ice scraper, extra motor oil, first aid kit, phone charger, and road flares or emergency triangle.