Winter Car Care Tips

In the dead of winter, the last thing you’ll find most drivers doing is waiting in line at a car wash.  But that doesn’t mean cars aren’t getting dirty, or that they don’t need any other maintenance in the cold months. That being said, here are a few tips for keeping your car in its best shape—both aesthetically and functionally—through the months that batter us with snow, ice, salt and slush.  

Mind Your Tires

One of the most commonly suggested winter car care tips is to put snow tires onto your car. If snow and ice are a problem in your city, or your car isn’t so great at handling the slippery surfaces, you should definitely consider getting special tires. If you think it would be a wasted expense, keep in mind that while you're using winter tires, you can save your all-season or summer tires, and put them back on your vehicle when the temperatures rise again. In addition to switching tires, check your tire pressure regularly to ensure that you're getting as much traction as you should.

Keep Things Clean

Car washes are generally out of the question during the coldest time of the year, since any rinsing water can turn into ice and cause problems with jammed locks, iced over windows, and doors getting stuck. Still, we’ve all experienced the overly-dirty windows that come along with slush and snowstorms. To remedy this problem, you may want to keep a roll of paper towels and some glass cleaner in your car to do a quick once-over of the car every now and then—that way, you can still see clearly out of your car. As for the rest of the car, if you can't wait to have it cleaned, make sure you go to a no-touch carwash—road salt is very abrasive, and any scrubbing against the paint can cause scratches. Instead, allow the salt to be rinsed off gently. After the wash, make sure you wipe all seals (such as the doors) dry before parking your car for any length of time to avoid ice forming.

Heating and De-Icing

Make sure your heat and defrosters are working. These don't just make it easier to see through the windshield—a car with no heat in the winter is incredibly uncomfortable, not to mention dangerous. Make sure your wiper blades are in good shape, and possibly consider winter wiper blades. Use de-icing windshield fluid, as well.

Gas and Oil

You’ve likely heard that when it’s very cold out, you should keep at least a quarter-tank of gas in the car. This helps prevent gas lines freezing, but it also safeguards you against running out of gas to run the heat should you get stuck somewhere.  Additionally, make sure you keep up with regular oil changes in the winter, and even consider changing to “winter weight” oil if you live in an especially cold climate. If you’re unsure of what’s best for your vehicle, ask a local mechanic what they recommend.

If you have more questions about keeping your car running smoothly in the winter, ask the expert technicians at Auto Tech Centers!