How to Get Your Car Ready for Winter

Winter is a season that is not experienced by many, and that in itself is a good thing and a bad thing. Those who experience it will understand. There are so many fun things to do; tubing, tobogganing, building snowmen and having snowball fights, and my personal favourite, which I know many gearheads will agree with – drifting. 

Winter does come with some downsides though – shorter days, longer periods of darkness, and frigid cold temperatures to name a few. Now this year in Canada, we have been spoiled so far, not too many snowstorms (yet) or freezing cold days for long periods of time. But remember never underestimate the time of year, just because May is in a couple months (and we will be in a whole new season) doesn’t mean we won’t get that random snowfall! 

In this week’s blog post, you will learn how to prepare your car for the brutal winters we have in North America and why it’s important to do so beforehand. 

Have your Car Serviced for Winter Conditions

This does include the regular battery checks, tire checks, and brakes (of course), but it also includes a very important aspect that is overlooked by many – checking the belts, hoses, spark plugs, wires and cables. Now some would argue that it is possible that these could go bad at any time, not just during the winter, but it would be worse for it to happen during the Winter. Plus think about it this way, if these do go in the Winter (and they haven’t been checked) that means you will be stranded somewhere in the cold and could be there for a long time. 

Also this would be a good time to upkeep the coolant system. The ideal ratio is between 50/50 and 70/30 of antifreeze to water. Make sure to ask your technician for the right antifreeze for your vehicle as well as the appropriate coolant to water ratio to prevent corrosion and potential freezing. 

Switch to Winter Tires

I mean although it is never too late to switch the tires to Winter ones, it might be smart to do this before Winter starts. All season tires do work, but not as effectively and won’t give the same performance, but then again, it does depend on the area you live in. For those that live in areas that experience harsher Winters, winter tires are recommended. When the temperature is always around the 0 mark or below, the rubber compounds in the non winter tires harden which decreases the tire’s grip to the road. Winter tires on the other hand use special compounds that are meant to assist in providing better grip and traction in the snow, ice, slush, and even dry surfaces. Make sure to talk to your mechanic for the best tire brand recommended for your car. 

Maintain Tire Pressure

The ideal tire pressure for any vehicle is between 30 to 35 PSI but it is always good to refer to the owner’s manual to see what specific number to keep your tires at. Good tire air pressure does a couple of important things: 

• Ensures even wear for tires 
• Provides a smooth ride 
• Increases fuel efficiency 

It is also important to remember that every 10 degree change in the temperature could mean a gain or loss of 1 PSI. This just means regular checks for tire pressure are very important. 

Consider a Trickle Charger

This tip might be a good one to consider if you find yourself fitting in with any of the following scenarios: 

• Your job allows you to work from home with minimal in person requirements at the office 
• You own more than one vehicle that you drive as per the season (Summer and Winter cars) 
• You only go out when you need to in the Winter specifically, but are home for the most part 

In any of these cases investing in something known as a trickle charger would be one of the best investments you will make (in my opinion of course). A trickle charger is a battery charger that produces a very small amount of current. It is used mainly for vehicles that tend to sit around for longer periods of time – several days in a row – in cold temperatures. Either a trickle charger or battery maintainer could be used, they both serve the same purpose, and essentially it ensures the car constantly receives a small charge, which helps extend its life. Plus, it can raise the battery’s temperature to prevent freezing in the winter weather.   

Pack a Winter Safety Kit

Out of all the tips listed above, I personally feel like this is the most important of them all. Having a winter safety kit is one of the best ways to prepare not only your car but yourself as well for Winter. Now, this is something that will look different for everyone so don’t worry if the stuff you decide to put in it is different from the suggested ideas given below. Remember, a winter safety kit is essentially a place where you can locate all the things you would need to sustain you in the cold in the event you get stranded and help will take a bit of time to get to you. Go with your gut when preparing this kit, your instincts never lie. 

These are items that I would include when packing a winter safety kit: 

• First Aid Kit
  • Fully equipped with bandages, gauze, a small pair of scissors, safety pins, antiseptic wipes, and a pocket face mask to name a few 
• A pack of matches 
• Flashlight and batteries (if applicable to the flashlight) 
• Warm clothing
  • Extra jacket, sweater, hat, socks, and boots (to name a few) 
• Non perishable food items
  • Granola bars (on the go packaged snacks) and water bottle 
• Extra antifreeze 
• Jumper cables 
• Bag of sand and a shovel 
• Flares 
• Extra ice scraper 
• Car tool kit  
• Extra gas
  • This is not common however it might serve as a good idea in the case that you are stranded because you ran out of gas  

Final Thoughts

Winter can be a great time of year, but being prepared for it beforehand can make enjoying it even better. Listed above were not all the tips to winterize your car, but some that I felt were the most important or overlooked. Let us know in the comments how you prepare for winter, or even just what you enjoy about winter the most.