1. Battery
Cold weather makes a battery deliver less power just when the engine needs more to start. If your battery is three or more years old, ask a parts store or shop to test it; many do it free. Signs of trouble: slow cranking, dim lights at startup, corrosion on the terminals.
2. Tires and tread
Snow and slush need deeper tread than dry roads. Many experts suggest about 6/32 inch (4 mm) for winter driving. If you live where it snows, winter tires grip far better than all-season tires once temperatures stay below about 45°F (7°C). Our guide on when to replace tires shows how to measure tread.
3. Tire pressure
Air contracts in the cold, so pressure drops as temperatures fall, roughly 1 psi for every 10°F. A tire that was right in September can be low in December. Check pressure monthly, when the tires are cold, using the figure on the driver’s door jamb.
4. Wipers and washer fluid
Replace streaking wiper blades and fill the reservoir with a washer fluid rated for freezing temperatures. Summer fluid can freeze in the lines or on the windshield.
5. Coolant
Check the coolant level when the engine is cold. If it has not been changed in years, have its freeze protection tested. The right mix protects the engine from freezing and overheating.
6. Lights
Days are shorter. Walk around the car with the lights on and replace any dead bulbs; clean hazy headlight lenses.
7. An emergency kit
- Ice scraper and snow brush
- Phone charger cable or power bank
- Warm gloves, a blanket and a flashlight
- Jumper cables or a portable jump starter
- Water and a snack
Electric car? Range drops in the cold, mainly because of cabin and battery heating. Preheat the car while it is still plugged in and keep the charge a little higher on cold days.
Log the battery test and tire change in Badger’s maintenance schedule, and next autumn it will remind you when they are due again.
