As the temperature drops, it’s important to make sure your car is ready to handle winter driving. These tips will help you stay safe during the cold months of driving.

Tips and tricks for winter driving – YouTube

Key Takeaways
Winter driving can be hazardous if you don’t take precautions to prepare your vehicle.
Regular maintenance, such as checking your brakes, fluids, and tires, is essential for staying safe on the road.
Winter tires are designed specifically for driving in cold and snowy conditions, and it’s recommended that you invest in them if you live in an area with significant winter weather.
Checking your car’s battery is crucial, as cold weather can cause it to drain faster.
Antifreeze is important for preventing your car’s engine from freezing and overheating, and it’s important to use the right type for your vehicle.
It’s important to let your car warm up for a few minutes before driving in cold weather, but you don’t need to let it idle for an extended period.
Washing your car regularly in the winter is crucial for removing corrosive salt and other chemicals from the road.

Change Your Oil

Why is it important to change your oil in the winter?

Oil becomes thicker in colder temperatures, so if you don’t change it regularly, you run the risk of damaging your engine.

If you don’t change your oil regularly and have an older vehicle, dirty or contaminated oil may cause corrosion on metal surfaces in the engine. This can lead to expensive repairs down the road.

How often should I change my car’s oil?

It depends on how often you drive during winter months and other variables like driving habits and engine type (e.g., turbo). Typically speaking though:

For modern cars with synthetic or semi-synthetic oils: every 3,000 miles or three months;

For vehicles with conventional automotive oils: every 5,000 miles or five months; How often should I replace my car filters?

Air filter – every 20k miles / 2 years (depending on climate/dust)

Fuel filter – replace between 30-50kChecking Your Car’s Oil Level With a Dipstick

The key to keeping your vehicle running smoothly is regular maintenance. By adhering to the tips outlined in our guide on vehicle maintenance, you can ensure that your car is in top condition and ready for winter driving.

Change Your Windshield Wipers.

If you haven’t changed your windshield wipers in the past six months, now is the time to do so. Wiper blades should be replaced if they have cracks or are worn down and can no longer clear off the windshield effectively.

Additionally, using a wiper fluid that is designed for winter conditions will help keep ice from sticking to your wipers and getting stuck on top of them which could block visibility while driving.

Use A Scraper To Remove Ice And Snow From The Windshield: If there is snow or ice on top of your vehicle’s windshield, use a scraper before starting up your car so you don’t get any surprises when driving!

Changing Windshield Wipers

Type of Wiper	Recommended Replacement Interval	Brands to Consider
Conventional	Every 6 months to 1 year	Rain-X, Bosch, Trico
Beam	Every 6 months to 1 year	Michelin, RainEater, PIAA
Hybrid	Every 6 months to 1 year	Valeo, ANCO, ACDelco

This table provides the recommended replacement interval for different types of windshield wipers, as well as some potential brands to consider. Worn wipers can obstruct your vision and make it difficult to see the road, so it’s important to replace them regularly. Choosing the right brand of wiper can help ensure optimal performance and longevity.

Wash Often

Wash your car often. A dirty car is a prime example of the adage that it’s not the heat, but the humidity that makes things uncomfortable.

When you don’t wash your car often, you’re essentially letting all of that dirt, grime and salt caked to its surface sit there without circulating any air over it.

This creates a humid environment in which dust and other particles can collect more easily, leading to “swamp ass” (the term used by many people who live in humid climates).

Use waterless car washes. While a regular wash will remove most of the dirt from your vehicle, using a waterless cleaner is even better because it dries faster and won’t leave spots on your paint job (which could lead to rust).

Wax regularly! Waxing helps protect against oxidation caused by oxidation: when oxygen reacts with metal molecules that make up steel parts like door handles, exhaust pipes or wheels!

You should also use wax products on exterior plastic trim like bumpers or door handles because they’re made from softer materials which oxidize faster than metals do—thus requiring more frequent attention so they don’t turn grayish-brown or brittle over time

Keeping up with car maintenance can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Our guide on common car maintenance questions tackles frequently asked questions and provides answers to help you stay on top of your vehicle’s maintenance needs.

Check Tire Pressure

Check your tire pressure at least once a month. Tires should be inflated to the pressure recommended by the manufacturer, but if you don’t know what that is, check your doorjamb or inside of the driver’s side door for information about how much air to put in them.

Have Your Battery Checked

This is a simple way to make sure you don’t get stranded in the middle of winter. A battery can fail in cold weather and it’s often not the fault of anything you’ve done.

If your car doesn’t start, it could be because the battery is dead or weak, which means there’s not enough power in your battery to turn over your engine.

If this happens, first check if someone else has a working jump starter or portable power pack handy it’ll save you time by starting right away and will help prevent accidentally damaging your vehicle with an improper jump (which can cause further problems).

Winter driving can be hazardous, but there are steps that you can take to stay safe. Check out our article on avoiding car accidents to learn 16 simple strategies for staying safe on the road.

Top Off The Fluids.

Winter driving can be a pain, but if you follow these tips, you’ll be able to keep your car safe and ready for the cold weather.

Top off fluids:

Engine coolant (also known as antifreeze) should be replaced every two years or 24,000 miles. Transmission fluid should also be replaced every two years or 24,000 miles.

Brake fluid should be checked more frequently than engine coolant and transmission fluid because it’s more likely to leak out over time.

Power steering fluid should also be checked more frequently than engine coolant and transmission fluid because it’s less likely to leak out over time

Topping Off Fluids

Type of Fluid	Frequency of Replacement	Brands to Consider
Motor Oil	Every 5,000 to 7,500 miles	Mobil 1, Castrol, Pennzoil
Transmission Fluid	Every 30,000 to 60,000 miles	Valvoline, Shell, Mobil 1
Brake Fluid	Every 2 years	ATE, Motul, Valvoline
Power Steering Fluid	Every 50,000 to 100,000 miles	Amsoil, Pentosin, Mobil 1
Coolant	Every 2 to 5 years	Zerex, Prestone, Evans

This table highlights the recommended frequency for topping off and replacing various fluids in your vehicle. Regularly topping off these fluids can help prevent damage and ensure that your car is running smoothly. It’s essential to use the appropriate brand of fluid to ensure optimal performance and compatibility with your vehicle.

Clean Out The Radiator

If you’re not familiar with the purpose of your car’s radiator, it’s time to learn. The radiator is a heat exchanger that cools the engine by circulating coolant through pipes inside it.

Most modern cars have electric fans that kick on when the temperature gauge hits a certain point but if your car does not have an electric fan and has an older model without electronic sensors, then there may be times when these warning lights don’t turn on as soon as they should.

To check whether your radiator needs cleaning: Remove its cap and check its level. If it’s low (meaning less than ½ inch) add more coolant before winter driving begins; if it’s dirty (meaning black), clean out any debris with a garden hose; do not use chemical cleaners or degreasers!

If you’re in the market for a new car, consider an electric model. Our guide on electric car models to watch highlights the top models to keep an eye on in the coming years.

Replace Filters And Belts Regularly

When it comes to your car’s belts and filters, you should know that they need regular maintenance. The air conditioning belt should be replaced every 60,000 miles and the alternator belt every 60,000 miles.

If you have a V6 or V8 engine in your vehicle, then you will most likely have an additional serpentine belt for your accessories such as power steering and water pump. The serpentine belt should also be replaced every 60,000 miles.

Replacing Filters and Belts

Type of Part	Time to Replace	Brands to Consider
Air Filter	Every 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first	Fram, K&N, Bosch
Cabin Air Filter	Every 15,000 to 30,000 miles	Purolator, WIX, Mann
Fuel Filter	Every 30,000 to 40,000 miles	ACDelco, Bosch, Motorcraft
Timing Belt	Every 60,000 to 100,000 miles	Gates, Continental, Dayco

This table provides the recommended time to replace various filters and belts, as well as some potential brands to consider. Regularly replacing these parts is crucial for maintaining the health and longevity of your vehicle.

Look For Leaks

You’ll know if your car has a leak when you notice that the oil or antifreeze levels are dropping and there’s no obvious reason for it.

You can check by taking off the engine cover (if your vehicle is old enough to have one) and looking for stains on the ground under your engine compartment.

If you do find a leak, take care of it as soon as possible not only will it save money on gas but it’ll also keep you from getting stranded in bad weather conditions!

Winter driving can be a challenge, but with the right preparation, you can stay safe on the road. Our guide on winter driving safety offers expert tips and tricks for navigating icy roads and other hazardous driving conditions.

Conclusion

In the end, we know that this isn’t an exact science. There are many factors that play into how your vehicle performs and how long it lasts.

The key is to educate yourself about those factors, so when something goes wrong with your car you can quickly assess the situation and seek help if needed.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions related to winter car maintenance:

What should I check on my car before winter?

It’s important to check your car’s battery, brakes, tires, wiper blades, and fluids before winter to ensure everything is in good working order.

How can I tell if my tires are suitable for winter driving?

Winter tires are designed specifically for cold and snowy conditions and feature deeper tread patterns and softer rubber compounds. If you live in an area with significant winter weather, it’s recommended that you switch to winter tires for maximum safety.

What kind of antifreeze should I use in my car?

Check your car’s owner manual to find out what type of antifreeze is recommended for your specific vehicle. Typically, a mixture of 50% antifreeze and 50% water is used for optimal performance.

Do I need to warm up my car before driving in the winter?

While it’s important to let your car warm up for a few minutes to get the oil circulating and the engine up to temperature, you don’t need to let it run for an extended period. Two to three minutes is usually sufficient.

How often should I wash my car in the winter?

It’s important to wash your car regularly in the winter to remove salt and other corrosive chemicals from the road. Aim for once every two weeks or more frequently if your car is exposed to heavy salt or slush.