How to prepare your car for winter driving

Preparing your car for winter road conditions is extremely important, wherever you live. Winter is a tough time of the year for the motorist as the road conditions are treacherous, temperatures are low and there is a high chance of breakdowns or problems with the car. Preparing for winter driving will make it easier to endure the cold season.

As important as winterizing your car is, it's equally important to adjust your own behavior. Your level of awareness needs to be heightened and your driving skills need to be sharpened and ready for whatever comes your way. You will need to take extra care when turning and overtaking other vehicles, especially if the road conditions are slippery and dangerous, requiring special attention to the outside temperature.

The first line of defense against dangerous winter conditions will likely always be the quality and condition of your vehicle, and how you inspect and tune your vehicle accordingly will likely be determined by where you live. Follow the simple steps below to learn how to prepare your car for safe winter driving.

Part 1 of 6: Having an emergency kit in the car

Never drive in extreme and dangerous conditions such as snowstorms, storms or extreme sub-zero temperatures, or any other condition that could cause you to be stuck in a low traffic area.

However, if you live in a rural area and/or an area with extreme weather and absolutely need to drive, put together an emergency kit to keep in your car before the winter temperatures hit. This kit should contain non-perishable or reusable items, especially since you are going to do everything possible to prevent a situation in which you have to use it.

• Functions: Before you go on a winter road trip, make sure a family member or friend knows where you are going and how long it will take you to get there so they can notify someone if they think something has gone wrong so. Also, make sure your mobile phone is fully charged before you leave, and bring your car charger with you just in case.

Necessary materials

• Blanket or sleeping bag
• Candles and matches
• Layers of clothing
• First aid kit
• Torches or emergency light sticks
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Foodstuffs
• Connecting cables
• sandbags
• Shovel
• Storage box
• Water bottles

Step 1: Find a storage container to put in your trunk.. Milk crates, boxes, or plastic containers are good choices.

Choose something large enough that all of your kit, minus the shovel, will fit inside.

Step 2: Organize the Kit. Place the items that will be used least often on the bottom.

This will include a blanket, candles and a change of clothes.

Step 3: Make Essential Items Easy to Access. Place food and water bottles in an accessible place, as well as a first aid kit.

Food items should be changed annually, so it is important that they are readily available. Good foods to keep in the car are granola bars, fruit snacks, or anything that can be eaten cold or even frozen.

The first aid kit should be packed on top so that it can be easily taken in case of an emergency.

• A warning: There is a high chance that water bottles will freeze in your trunk. In an emergency, you may need to thaw them with your body heat to drink them.

Step 4: Remove the safety kit. Place the winter safety kit in the trunk or sunroof so that you can access it in case of an emergency.

Put a light and durable shovel in the trunk next to the kit.

Part 2 of 6: Checking the Engine Coolant

Your engine coolant or antifreeze must be able to withstand the coldest sustained temperatures you will see in your climate. In the northernmost states it can be -40°F. Check the coolant and replace it if the coolant mixture is not strong enough to withstand the cold.

Necessary materials

• Tray with spout
• coolant tester
• Engine coolant
• Pliers

Step 1: Remove the radiator cap or coolant reservoir cap.. Some cars have a cap on top of the radiator while others have a sealed cap on the expansion tank.

• A warning: Never open the engine cooling cap or radiator cap when the engine is hot. Serious burns are possible.

Step 2: Insert the hose. Insert the coolant tester hose into the coolant in the radiator.

Step 3: Squeeze the Light Bulb. Squeeze the rubber bulb to release air from the tester.

Step 4: Release pressure on the rubber bulb. The coolant will flow through the hose to the coolant tester.

Step 5: Read the Temperature Rating. The coolant tester dial will display the nominal temperature.

If the rating is higher than the lowest temperature you are likely to see this winter, you need to change your engine coolant.

If the temperature rating is equal to or below the lowest expected temperature, your coolant will be fine for that winter and you can move on to Part 3.

• Functions: Check the nominal coolant temperature annually. It will change with coolant topping up and wear over time.

Step 6: Place the trap. If your coolant level is low, you will need to drain it by first placing a pan under the vehicle.

Align it with the drain cock in the radiator or the lower radiator hose if your radiator does not have a drain cock.

Step 7: Remove the drain cock. Unscrew the drain cock or remove the spring clamp from the lower radiator hose with pliers.

The drain cock will be located on the engine side of the radiator, at the bottom of one of the side tanks.

Step 8: Disconnect the radiator hose. You may need to wiggle or disconnect the lower radiator rubber hose from the radiator outlet.

Step 9. Collect the leaking coolant with a pan. Be sure to catch any dripping coolant by letting it drain as far as it will go.

Step 10: Replace the drain cock and radiator hose, if applicable.. Make sure the drain cock is fully tightened to close it.

If you had to remove the radiator hose, reinstall it, making sure it is fully seated and the clamp is in place.

Step 11: fill the cooling system. Fill the tank with the correct amount and concentration of coolant.

Using premixed coolant, to ensure it is of good quality, completely fill the radiator through the filler neck. When the radiator is full, squeeze the radiator hoses and heater hoses to push air bubbles out of the system.

• A warning: Trapped air can form an air lock, which can cause the engine to overheat and cause serious damage.

Step 12: Start the engine with the radiator cap removed.. Run the engine for 15 minutes or until it reaches operating temperature.

Step 13: Add Coolant. Top up the coolant level as air escapes from the system.

Step 14 Replace the cover and test drive your vehicle.. Install the radiator cap back on the system and then drive the car for 10-15 minutes.

Step 15: park your car. After the test drive, park the car and let it cool down.

Step 16: Recheck the coolant level.. Recheck the coolant level after the engine has completely cooled down and top up if necessary.

Part 3 of 6: Preparing the Windshield Washer System

Your windshield washer system is critical when temperatures drop and roads get snowy and slushy. Make sure your windshield wipers are in good working order and service them as needed. If your windshield washer fluid is summer fluid or water, it does not have antifreeze properties and may freeze in the washer fluid reservoir. If the washer fluid freezes, you won't be able to clean the windshield when it gets dirty.

A good rule of thumb for cold climates is to use winter washer fluid all year round and never turn on the washer fluid pump when the reservoir is empty.

Necessary materials

• New wiper blades if needed
• Winter washer fluid

Step 1: Check the washer fluid level.. Some washer fluid reservoirs are hidden in the wheel well or behind a shield.

As a rule, these tanks have a dipstick in the filler neck.

Step 2: Top up fluid level. If it is low or almost empty, add winter washer fluid to the washer fluid reservoir.

Use washer fluid rated for temperatures equal to or lower than the temperature you expect to experience during the winter.

Step 3: Empty the tank if necessary. If the washer fluid is almost full and you are not sure if it is suitable for cold weather, empty the washer reservoir.

Spray washer fluid several times, pausing 15 seconds between sprays to allow the washer fluid pump to cool. Emptying the tank this way will take quite a long time, up to half an hour or more if the tank is full.

• A warning: If you constantly spray washer fluid to empty the washer fluid reservoir, you may burn out the washer fluid pump.

Step 4: Fill reservoir with winter washer fluid.. When the reservoir is empty, fill it with winter washer fluid.

Step 5: Check the condition of the wiper blades.. If the wiper blades are torn or leave streaks, replace them before winter.

Keep in mind that if your wipers don't work well in summer weather, the effect increases exponentially when snow and ice enter the equation.

Part 4 of 6: Performing scheduled maintenance

While you may not think about regular maintenance as part of winterizing your car, there are significant added benefits if you do it before the cold weather hits. In addition to simply checking the operation of the heater and de-icer inside the vehicle, you should also touch each of the following steps.

Required material

• Machine oil

Step 1: Change the engine oil. Dirty oil can be a problem in winter, so make sure you change your oil before the colder months, especially if you live in extreme winter conditions.

You don't want rough idle, poor fuel economy, or sluggish engine performance that can stress the engine, potentially contributing to future engine problems.

Draining the engine oil also removes moisture that has accumulated in the crankcase.

Use a synthetic oil, a blend of synthetic oils, or a cold weather oil of the grade your vehicle requires, as indicated on the filler cap. Clean oil allows the engine's internal parts to move more freely with less friction, making cold starts easier.

Ask a certified mechanic to change your oil if you are not comfortable doing it yourself.

• Functions: If the oil is changed by a mechanic, the oil filter should also be changed. Have the mechanic also check the condition of the air filters, transmission fluid and related filters at the same shop.

Step 2: Check tire pressure. In cold weather, tire pressure can differ significantly from summer. From 80°F to -20°F, tire pressure can drop by about 7 psi.

Adjust the tire pressure to the recommended pressure for your vehicle, which is written on the label on the driver's door.

Low tire pressure can affect your vehicle's behavior on snow and reduce fuel efficiency, but do not overfill your tires as you will lose traction on slippery roads.

When winter temperatures fluctuate, be sure to check your tire pressure frequently—at least every two to three weeks—because keeping good tires inflated to optimum pressure is one of the best ways to stay safe on the road in winter.

Step 3: check the light. Make sure all your lights are working.

Check the turn signals, headlights and their various brightness levels, parking lights, fog lights, hazard lights and brake lights to make sure everything works and replace them if necessary. Many accidents can be avoided with work lights, as they help other drivers see your location and intentions.

• Functions: If you live in extreme weather conditions, always check that all your headlights are free of snow and ice before driving, especially in fog, snow or other low visibility conditions or at night.

Step 4: Check your vehicle's battery and electrical components.. While not necessarily part of your regular maintenance routine, it is important to check the condition of the electrical components under the hood, especially the battery, because cold weather can have a very negative effect on battery charging capacity.

Check the battery cables for wear and corrosion and clean the terminals if necessary. If the terminals or cables are worn, replace them or contact a mechanic. If there are any loose connections, be sure to tighten them. If your battery is getting old, make sure you check the voltage or check the voltage level. If the battery reading is in the 12V range, it will lose its charging capacity.

You need to keep a close eye on it in cold conditions, and if you live or drive in more extreme temperatures, consider replacing it before the start of winter.

Part 5 of 6: Using the Right Tires for Your Conditions

Step 1: Consider Winter Tires. If you drive in a climate where winters are cold and snowy for three or more months of the year, consider using winter tires.

Winter tires are made from a softer rubber compound and do not harden like all-season tires. The tread blocks have more sipes or lines to improve traction on slippery surfaces.

Summer or all season tires lose their effectiveness below 45°F and the rubber becomes less pliable.

Step 2. Determine if you already have winter tires. Check for the mountain and snowflake badge on the side of the tire.

This badge indicates that the tire is suitable for use in cold weather and on snow, whether it is a winter tire or an all-season tire.

Step 3: Check the tread depth.. The minimum tread depth for safe vehicle operation is 2/32 inch.

This can be measured by inserting a coin with an inverted Lincoln's head between the tread blocks of your tire. If its crown is visible, the tire must be replaced.

If any part of his head is covered, the tire still has life. The more tread depth you have, the better your winter traction will be.

• Functions: If the mechanic checks the tires for you, make sure he also checks the condition of the brakes.

Part 6 of 6: Winter car storage

Cold and wet weather can damage your car's paint, especially if you live in icy or snowy areas where road salt is often used. Storing your vehicle in a shelter will reduce the damage caused by road salt, help prevent fluid loss or freezing, and keep ice and snow from getting on your headlights and windshield.

Step 1: Use a garage or shed. If you have a covered carport for your car, make sure you store it there when not in use.

Step 2: Buy a car cover. If you don't have access to a garage or carport in the winter, consider the benefits of buying car cover.

Winterizing your car is essential to ensure your safety while driving and in the event of a breakdown. This is especially important if you live in a rural area and/or where winters are long and harsh. If you need advice on exactly how to winterize your car, you can ask your mechanic for quick and detailed advice to help you get ready for winter.