Whether you like it or not, winter is around the bend.
As you may know, I’m a huge advocate for working on your car. The cost savings are one thing, but incomparable to the peace of mind gained from understanding the systems that make your car work, and the comfort in knowing how to address them if one malfunctions.
Regardless of whether you do your own work, it’s wise to put a little time and money into your vehicle while the weather is still pleasant to get your car ready for winter, especially if you are the one who does the work.
What I’m Doing to Get My Car Ready for Winter
It’s important to point out that the items in the following list are the things that I’m going to do to my own cars.
Also, I mention some products and brands but I’m not affiliated with any of them.
If you’d like a free, printable checklist to keep track of items I welcome you to download one here by clicking on this picture:
Here we go.
1. Catch up and look forward on all routine maintenance
This is especially important for those of us without a heated space to work on our cars. Break open the manual and do all the routine maintenance that will come due over the winter. Get it done now while it doesn’t suck.
1a. Change Oil and Filter
The oil is one of the most routine maintenance items, and it’s only a big deal to me because the place where I work on my cars is exposed. The less work I can do on my car in the winter, the better.
1b. Check and top up all fluids
You should be checking your fluids monthly anyway, but if you don’t, here’s your reminder.
I make it a point to check my fluids at the first of each month. Use a calendar entry if you need, or sign up for Autosist, the best vehicle maintenance app I’ve found.
2. Check Tire Tread and Pressure – Press up Spare
The onset of cold temperatures might make your tire pressure sensors activate. It’s because the cold air in the tire contracts. Press them up on a cool day and you should be fine.
Be advised, inside the driver door is a little sticker that tells you the appropriate pressure for your tires and spare.
And on that note, pop out the spare and make sure it’s also at the right pressure.
Lastly, inspect the tread. You’ll never need the tread more than in the winter. If your tires are getting bald this is an appropriate time to replace them, or consider getting some snow tires.
3. New Wipers – snow and ice
This is an annual item anyway, best to get in the habit of including in your winter preps. I prefer the Napa snow and ice wiper blades. Installing them is easy, if you don’t do any of your own maintenance this is a good place to start. Ask the dude at Napa, or any parts store, to teach you and they probably will. So, too, will YouTube I’m sure.
4. De-icer in the windshield washer fluid
I use the cheap windshield washer fluid in the summer and the de-icer in the winter. It’s best to start putting this stuff in so that by the time winter is finally here the reservoir will be all de-icer.
The de-icer is sweet for those partial ice days where you need to scrape to see, but a little de-icer and 30 seconds takes care of it too.
5. Battery Confidence
Cold weather is hard on batteries. How confident are you in yours?
I replaced the batteries in both my cars with a Napa Legend not more than a few years ago, so I’m confident in them.
If you’re not confident, or don’t know anything about your battery, you can get them tested or just replace it now. I recommend a Napa Legend battery or an Interstate battery.
Testing a battery is not putting a multi-meter across the terminals, it takes a special tool that puts a load on the battery and measures the voltage drop over a 15 second load test. Either find a buddy that has the right tool or ask the clerk at your local parts store if they’ll do it for you.
6. Brake Check
Put eyes on all your pads to make sure there’s enough life in them. In many cases you have to pop the tire off to do this, suck it up and do it.
While you’re at it you can verify that your emergency jack works.
7. Emergency Kit Check
You should absolutely have an emergency kit in your car. You make the call on what you need in the kit, but here’s what I recommend.
- Flashlight – I recommend a maglight and a headlamp in each vehicle. If you’re changing a tire at night you’ll be loving that headlamp. I recently put this 500 Lumen rechargeable headlamp in my truck.
- Jumper cables – Every vehicle should have jumper cables in it. Consider putting a booster pack in your car too so you can jump it on your own, just let this be a reminder to check the state of charge on the booster pack.
- Tow strap – Even if you’re a little Honda Civic you should have a tow strap in your car. Why? Because most dudes bad enough to drive a truck probably aren’t also smart enough to have their own strap. Use them to tow you out with their truck and your strap.
- Ice scraper – I recommend both the little hand-held scrapers and the brush on a telescoping handle. Get in the habit of cleaning the snow off your roof so that it doesn’t slide down your windshield when you hit the brakes.
- Hoody and a blanket – Toss a hoody in the trunk and use a blanket to cover the backseat. The blanket can keep the seat clean and double for warmth should you get stranded somewhere.
- Compressor – A little mobile compressor should be in all cars, just check to make sure it works. Here’s a good one.
- Tire changing tools – Verify these tools are still in your car and that they work. Check the spare tire pressure and use the tools to pop off a tire to check out the brake pads, as mentioned above.
- Cell phone charger – Always keep a cell phone charger in your car! Never take it out. Label it and do whatever else it takes so that there is always one in there. Thank me later.
- Knife and Multi-tool – I have a Swiss Army knife in the center console and think you should too.
- Update your Med Kit – Shout out to big sis for reminding me of this after the original post published. This would be a good time to go through the one you have, replace the expired stuff and make sure the rest is stocked up.
Stay safe this winter
That’s the list of what I’m doing to my vehicles before winter. If you want a downloadable worksheet to check your way down this list as you get your car ready for winter please follow this link to download.
Take it easy out there this winter and go do some doughnuts in an empty parking lot to get familiar with the feel of losing traction and how to get it back. All while having a little fun.
Let me know if there’s anything that you do that I left off the list. Contact me or comment below.
Freedom through self-reliance,
NHMan
[sibwp_form id=2]
