The days are getting colder, and with the autumn and winter months upon us, it’s time to start thinking about how to winterize your car. Taking the time to properly winterize your car will not only help protect it from the colder weather, but it can also save you from potential costly repairs down the road. To make sure your car is winter-ready, we’ve created this comprehensive winterizing checklist.
Prepare Your Vehicle
The first step in vehicle winterization is to make sure your car is in optimal condition. This means taking it to your local mechanic and getting a professional to inspect your vehicle inside and out. Doing this can help you identify any issues that need to be dealt with and create a plan of action to winterize everything. Here are the key items to inspect and maintain during this process:
• Battery: Make sure the battery is firmly in place and all the connections are still secure. Clean any corrosion that has built up and check the fluid levels. If the battery is more than three years old, consider replacing it with a new one.
• Brakes: Check for any cracking or fading in the brake pads and if necessary, get new ones.
Service the Brakes
Once you’ve established the condition of your brakes is good, you should service them. This includes checking the rotor and disc for any signs of wear and tear and ensuring that the brake fluid is at its recommended level for their make and model.
• Tires: Inspect your tires for uneven wear and take the time to check their air pressure and replace the tires if needed. Consider switching to winter tires if the temperature is predicted to stay below 7°C.
• Engine oil and filters: Make sure your oil and filter are up-to-date, and top them up if they’re low.
• Windshield wipers: Check the state of your windshield wipers and replace them if necessary. Look into getting a specialty winter wiper blade to help get rid of snow and slush more easily.
Insulate Your Vehicle
Insulating your car is one of the best things you can do to winterize your vehicle. This is especially important if you live in a colder climate and plan on taking long drives; it will help maintain the temperature inside the car and make it more comfortable for you and your passengers. Here are some ways to insulate your car:
• Install rubber roof mats on the inside of your car. This will help to provide some cushion for the roof and provide additional insulation.
• Apply a breathable undercoating to the undercarriage of your car. This will prevent rust and corrosion from forming, and will help to keep the heat in your car.
• Install weather stripping around the car doors and windows. This will help to keep out moisture and drafts and will also help to insulate your car.
• Add sound deadening mats to the doors. This will help to reduce noise levels inside the car, making it much more comfortable.
Protect Your Vehicle
Another important part of winterizing your car is to make sure you take the necessary steps to protect it from the elements. This is especially important if you live in an area where snow and ice can be a problem; you want to take the necessary steps to ensure your car doesn’t get damaged by the elements.
• Apply wax or other protective coatings to the exterior of your car. This will help to protect the car’s paint and finish from the snow, ice, rain, and other elements.
• Install snow tires for improved traction and stability in snowy conditions.
• Invest in a heavy duty, waterproof car cover for additional protection from the elements.
• Make sure your car is stored in a covered area such as a garage or carport.
Prepare for Emergencies
Preparing for potential emergencies is another important aspect of winterizing your car. These items are essential to have in your car when it’s cold outside, and will help to ensure you have the supplies you need if you find yourself stuck in the cold.
• Warm blankets: It’s a good idea to keep some warm blankets in your car in case of an emergency.
• An ice scraper: This will help you remove any snow or ice that has built up on your windshield.
• An extra pair of gloves: You should always keep an extra pair of gloves in your car in case it gets cold outside.
• A flashlight with spare batteries: This will help you when it’s dark outside, or if you need to inspect the underside of your car.
• A fire extinguisher: This is essential to have in your vehicle in case of a fire.
• An emergency kit: This should include items such as food, water, a first aid kit, a phone charger, jumper cables, and other items you may need in an emergency.
• A tow rope: If you get stuck and need to be towed out of a ditch, having a tow rope on hand can be extremely helpful.
Having a reliable car in the winter months is essential. Taking the time to properly winterize your car will not only help protect it from the elements and reduce the chances of any issues occurring due to cold weather, but it can also save you from potential costly repairs down the road. We hope our comprehensive winterizing checklist has helped you get your car ready for the winter months.
