Winter Car Maintenance Tips To Avoid Breakdowns
Cold weather can be tough on vehicles. Freezing temperatures, icy roads, and winter driving conditions increase the risk of breakdowns. Especially if your car isn’t properly maintained. The good news? Most winter related breakdowns are preventable with routine maintenance and inspections. In this article we will discuss and provide solutions on how to maintain a vehicle in the winter months.
Check Your Battery
Cold temperatures reduce battery power, making winter one of the most common times for battery failure.
What To Do:
Have your battery tested before winter hits
Check for corrosion on terminals
Replace batteries that are 3-5 years old or showing weak performance
Inspect Your Tires
Your tires are your first line of defense on icy and snowy roads. Cold weather can cause tire pressure to drop, leading to decreased traction and handling. When the weather gets below 45°, tire performance drops significantly especially for all-season and summer tires. Cold roads reduce traction, even without snow, because cold pavement offers less grip than warm pavement.
What To Do:
Check tire tread depth (worn tires loose traction)
Maintain proper tire pressure
Rotate tires regularly for even wear
Check and Top Off Fluids
Fluids thicken in cold temperatures and must be at proper levels to protect your engine and components. This leads to reduced lubrication at startup. increased engine wear, slow system response times. Proper fluid levels and correct viscosity are critical in winter. Even your coolant is important in the winter because coolant not only prevents overheating, it also prevents freezing.
Important Fluids to Check:
Engine oil
Coolant/antifreeze
Brake fluid
Power steering fluid
Windshield washer fluid
Inspect Brakes
Winter driving requires reliable braking performance. Cold temperatures can cause brake components to take longer to warm up, respond slightly slower during initial stops, feel stiffer at first use. This makes properly maintained brakes especially important in the winter.
What To Do:
Have a professional check brake pads and rotors regularly
Check brake fluid every month
Have a professional check the ABS system function before and during the winter months
Inspect Belts, Hoses and Rubber Components
Cold weather causes rubber parts to become brittle and crack. Belts are more likely to snap in winter because cold rubber is less flexible which means serpentine accessory belts are under higher stress, rubber hoses contract which can worsen small cracks, cause leaks at hose connections and lead to sudden coolant or heater hose failure.
What To Do:
Have a professional inspect serpentine belts
Radiator and heater hoses
Vacuum lines
Final Thoughts
Winter puts extra stress on your vehicle, but routine maintenance is the best way to avoid breakdowns and costly repairs. Preparing your vehicle before extreme cold arrives can keep you safer, save money, and give you peace of mind all season long. If it’s been a while since your last service , now is the perfect time to have your vehicle inspected by a trusted professional mechanic.