Winter Car Maintenance FAQs

The staff at Thompson Sales wants you to be safe when you’re driving your vehicle, no matter what time of year it is. 

Winter presents its own set of challenges when driving, from windows that frost up and heaters not working quickly enough to driving in snow and car maintenance issues.

Read on to discover our answers to several FAQs about winter car maintenance.

What is a good winter car maintenance checklist?

Here are a few car maintenance tips for winter:

1. Keep your car’s battery in good shape. Cold weather reduces the cranking power of your battery. Check that your battery is fully charged. If your car battery is more than five years old, consider investing in a new one.
2. Scrape your car windows. Don’t rely on your car’s windshield wipers to remove ice and snow. You could damage them. Instead, use an ice scraper to remove snow and ice from your windows. 
3. Buy new windshield wipers. Did you know you should replace your windshield wipers every six months? We suggest replacing them every summer and winter for best results. 
4. Fill up on anti-freezing windshield washer fluid. Ordinary windshield washer fluid freezes in the winter. Make sure yours is rated to at least 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Some manufacturers create heavy-duty windshield washer fluid that works down to -27 degrees Fahrenheit while preventing refreezing and fogging, which can lead to dangerous driving conditions.
5. Make sure your heater and defroster pump enough hot air into the cabin, particularly toward the windshield. Before you drive away, get the heat running in the cabin to keep the windshield defrosted. Consider running the air conditioning (at a comfortable temperature) to dehumidify the air to prevent your breath from fogging up the windshield.
6. Consider all-weather or winter tires for your vehicle. Good treads can help keep your vehicle on the road versus older, worn tires on snow and ice.
7. Look at your lights and keep them free from dirt and mud. Your lights are important for night driving, and dirty ones can reduce your visibility or other motorists’ ability to see you. Make sure they stay free of mud, dirt, and slush.
8. Maintain an emergency kit in your vehicle. You should always have a kit inside your cargo area in case of an emergency or an accident. For winter, keep blankets so your car’s occupants can stay warm until help arrives.

How do I winterize my car?

Winterize your vehicle with this handy guide.

1. Inspect tires and adjust the inflation. Make sure your tires are in good shape with plenty of tread and no wear. Check the inflation on your tires weekly, and visually inspect them every time you go to start your car. For each 10-degree drop in temperature, your tires could lose one pound per square inch of air pressure because colder temperatures make air contract. The best time to inspect your tires is when your car has been idle for 30 minutes or more. Keep your tires inflated to the recommended pressure outlined by the tire manufacturer.
2. Change oil. Cold weather makes oil thicker, making it harder for the battery to start your car. Change your oil before winter starts, and make sure the oil is rated for colder temperatures in the winter. Your quick lube can offer relevant suggestions.
3. Check antifreeze levels. Look at your antifreeze’s reservoir, particularly the markings on the side that indicate the proper level of antifreeze that your vehicle should have. If the level is low, add the right amount. If your car doesn’t maintain proper levels of antifreeze, have a certified service center examine the radiator for leaks or damage.
4. Listen to the brakes. Do you hear a grinding or squeaking noise when you apply the brakes? Your vehicle’s brakes are vitally important in the winter ice and snow. A brake technician should examine your vehicle’s brakes as soon as possible if you hear noises.
5. Check belts, hoses, and wires. Your serpentine belt helps make power steering, heating, and air conditioning work properly. Any leaking hoses can cause a loss of function in air conditioning, the radiator, brakes, and fuel. Wires may break more easily. Check your engine compartment for any signs of broken or worn belts, hoses, and wires. If you find any, take your vehicle to a service center to replace any worn parts.

How can I keep my car in good condition in the winter?

In addition to checking the tires, fluids, brakes, and belts, you can do other things to keep your car in good working condition in the winter.

1. Keep your gas tank half full or more at all times. There are two reasons for this. First, keeping your tank mostly full can prevent accumulated water from freezing inside your fuel pump. If your fuel pump freezes, your engine won’t get any gas and you’ll be stuck. Second, a full tank lets you run your engine longer in case you get stuck and you need to stay warm. Yes, it means more trips to the gas station and longer drive times on family trips. But your family’s safety is important.
2. Wash your car after winter storms. Accumulated road salt, slush, dirt, and grime can make your car look bad. Road salt can cause rust and corrosion to the underside of your car over time. Power wash your car after winter storms, making sure to clean hard-to-reach areas like the wheels, wheel wells, and underbody. Consider washing the underside of the engine and inside of the wheels (where the brakes are) to get as much road salt off as possible.
3. Add a layer of wax to the paint job. Once you finish washing your car, add a layer of polymer wax to the paint. The wax forms a protective layer to your car’s paint and a barrier against snow, ice, sleet, road salt, grime, and dirt. Wax will also make it easier to remove these things from your car’s paint when you wash it.
4. Wash the windows and mirrors. In between power washings, make sure to clean the outside and inside of all windows as well as your mirrors. Visibility is crucial any time you drive your car. If you’re having trouble seeing because of flying snow, having dirt, fingerprints, and grime on your windows and mirrors makes your visibility even worse. 

What essentials should I put in a car kit during winter?

You should always carry emergency supplies in your car in case of a breakdown. 

During winter, you should have these extra items on hand:

1. Blankets for everyone in the car. You don’t know when help could arrive, and blankets can save lives in the event you can’t start the engine or you run out of gas.
2. Extra clothing. Extra winter clothing forms layers that add to the warmth of the blanket. Hats, gloves, scarves, hand warmers, foot warmers, thick wool socks, thermal underwear, sweatshirts, and sweatpants are all great options. The more layers you can add, the warmer you will stay as you wait for help. Remember, the safest place for you to stay is in your car while waiting for help.
3. Chargers for mobile devices. If your car can still run, make sure you have chargers for every mobile device in your vehicle. Keep your devices charged at all times so you can call for help if you break down.
4. Emergency locator beacon. If you know you’re traveling to or through areas without a lot of modern infrastructure, consider an emergency locator beacon. These items allow you to push a button to alert emergency crews to your location. Double-check your car’s GPS to see if it has software that will automatically alert authorities in case of an accident or a breakdown.

Who can I talk to about winter car maintenance advice?

The certified service center at Thompson Sales can help! Contact us or give us a call at (417) 763-6811 to talk to us. We’ll help you in any way we can.