When you live in the Midwest, you will typically face winter weather and the various seasonal changes that come along with the region.
It’s important to prepare your car for winter driving by completing several maintenance tasks before the temperatures drop too far and your car isn’t ready. Colder weather comes with various challenges that must be completed before you find yourself unable to start the car because the radiator froze up, or your car slips and slides because you didn’t check the tire pressure.
Here are some items to consider when prepping your car for winter driving.
Tires are what keep you safe
Your tires are the only part of your vehicle that actually touches the road. This means they are very important, but many drivers forget to check the tire pressure and make sure their tires are properly inflated. If you have an automatic tire pressure sensor, your vehicle will tell you when you need air, but if you don’t, you should check your tire pressure when the temperatures drop significantly. Properly inflated tires are extremely important for all driving conditions, but especially important in winter.
Ensure your antifreeze mixture is correct
You can buy antifreeze off the shelf that’s already properly mixed. The right mixture is between 50/50 antifreeze to water and 70/30. These proper mixtures will protect your radiator and prevent the mixture from freezing, even when the temperatures become extremely cold. Your antifreeze can be the difference between driving and not driving in the winter, making it one of the most important items you can do to prepare your car for winter.
Check your battery and maintain it
One of the most common issues when you have to park your car in winter weather for several days is returning to your car to learn that the battery has died. If you must travel during winter, it’s a good idea to have others drop you off at the airport so you don’t have to leave your car parked. Battery maintenance is important, and you should check to ensure the posts are free of corrosion, and the battery is properly charged.
Check your windshield and everything it needs
Some people use their windshield washer fluid to help melt frost or ice on cold mornings. If you do this, you need to check and refill your washer fluid regularly. Whenever you stop for gas, take a few minutes to clean the windshield while the gas is pumping. You should have replaced the windshield wipers before now, but part of prepping your car for winter is making sure you have wipers that work well and won’t let you down.
Keep enough gas in your tank
If you’re in the habit of driving around with as little fuel in the tank as possible, it’s time to change that habit. During winter driving, you need to treat the halfway mark as your empty point. This will give you the gas you need if you’re stuck in traffic for a long time or need to sit and idle for several hours because you’ve gotten stuck somewhere.
Put together an emergency kit
Even if you have done everything possible to get your car ready for the winter months, you might find yourself stuck in a snowbank or in an accident that can’t be cleaned up for several hours. You need to put an emergency kit together, which includes:
- A blanket
- Warm clothes, including boots, a hat, and gloves
- A first-aid kit and paper towels
- Extra water and food
- An ice scraper and a shovel
- Flares and matches
- A tool kit, a flashlight, and jumper cables
- A candle-powered heater
- A car charger for your phone
- A notepad and pen or pencil
- Safety absorbent and extra anti-freeze
- windshield wiper and washer fluid
- Tire chains, a tire gauge, an air compressor, and a spare tire
What should you do in an emergency?
If you’re stranded during winter because you can’t see the road, your car isn’t working, or you’ve gone off the road, you need to try and keep yourself safe while creating visibility for emergency vehicles. This means lighting flares and placing them at each end of your vehicle. Staying close to your car and using the engine for and heater for about ten minutes each hour. Keep at least one window open a little to ensure the ice and snow don’t seal the car shut.
Use these tips to make sure your car is prepared for winter driving and the challenges that come along with this cold time of year in the Midwest.
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Daniel Malone