When it comes to getting your car ready for the winter, there are several little things you can do to avoid no-starts, engine freeze-ups, frozen doors and windows, and accidents.
Check out our ultimate checklist that will get you ready for the cold months in no time at all. Make sure you tick every box.
Are Your Battery Terminals Protected?
Reduce battery terminal corrosion by spraying cleaned and reinstalled terminals with a liberal coating of battery terminal protectant spray.
Have You Coated Critical Areas of Your Car with Water-Repelling Silicon?
Prevent water from seeping in and freezing you by coating the door surfaces with spray silicone.
Are You Carrying a Set of Jumper Cables?
Learning how to jumpstart your car is essential, which is why you need to have your own jumper cables with you. Inexpensive and great to get you out of a tough spot, all you need then is a helpful motorist to stop and give you a boost.
Are Your Latches and Hinges Lubed?
When your car doesn’t start, a hood latch that’s stuck only adds to your frustration. All the salt spray kicked up by the vehicles driving in front of you can usually get into the latch mechanism that sits right behind the grille and cause it to corrode and snag. Prevent this by soaking the latch with spray lithium grease well in advance.
Have You Thought of Getting Winter Tires?
A literal lifesaver, winter tires give you more traction and therefore more control when you’re out on the snow when compared to all-season tires. They even work better on icy roads.
Have You Replaced the Cabin Air Filter?
A clogged cabin air filter can dramatically reduce airflow through your car’s heater, thus stressing the blower motor and overheating the blower motor resistor. Replacing a blower motor can cost you upwards of $400. Buying a new filter for less than $20 can save you that cost entirely.
Do You Have a Spare Car Cell Phone Charger?
In case of an accident or a spinout, your cellphone can be extremely useful. That’s what makes keeping a spare cell phone charger in your survival kit a great idea.
