How to Prepare Your Car For Winter

I am from South Texas - a place that doesn't get terribly cold and rarely has snow or ice. That said, I've never had to prepare my car for winter.  But knowing how to prep for winter is important for everyone because you never know when you'll find yourself in a state with cold winters.  {Most of these tips come from my husband, originally from Washington State.} 

Check the headlights.  Fully functioning headlights are essential to safe winter driving.  

Check the windshield wipers.  The summer heat is known to deteriorate the quality of your wiper blades, leaving you less than prepared for winter driving. Effectively wipe away the snow with high-functioning wipers.  If the wipers are worn, ripped, torn, cracked or chattering on contact with your windshield, it's time to replace them.

Check the belts and hoses.  Belts and hoses are heavily used and experience extreme wear and tear. As the weather changes, belts and hoses crack, swell and dry rot increases.

Check the coolant and oil.  Antifreeze (or coolant) generates heat as it circulates through your vehicle's cooling system. Over time, the coolant evaporates because of the heat. Top off the coolant if it looks low.  The engine's oil viscosity becomes thicker in cold weather which makes it more difficult for the engine oil to flow quickly to all of your engine's vital components. Be sure to use the correct oil and have it checked regularly.

Check the battery.  Batteries last, on average, three to five years. Extreme temperatures are hard on batteries.  You don't want to get stuck because of a dead battery when it's freezing outside so have your battery tested and check the date before winter arrives. 

Check the tires.  Check the tread depth of each tire (with a penny), inspect each tire for uneven wear and make sure your tires are aligned. If you think your wheels are not aligned, get them fixed. You should also check the tire pressure regularly during the winter months. Did you know you can lose 1-2 PSI for every 10*F drop in temperature?  If the tire pressure is low, reset it to the manufacturer's recommended PSI.  

How do you prepare your car for winter?

Author Note: Sara Phillips is the owner and writer for SensiblySara.com. Find helpful tips, family trip ideas and much more by following her on Twitter.