How to Prep a Car for Winter

In many parts of the country, the winter months have already begun. As the weather gets colder and the days get shorter in Boston, driving conditions also become more hazardous. Therefore, the team at Ocean Honda of Hanover has put together a guide outlining how to prep a car for winter. Our winter car prep tips fall into three basic categories, which we’ve outlined below. Winter car maintenance includes detailed preparation beforehand and regular maintenance during the winter months. Although every state experiences winter a little differently, it’s a good idea to stay on top of these tips no matter what to stay as safe as possible.

Winter Car Prep Tips

Check Everything

Before winter arrives, you’ll want to bring your car into a service center to make sure everything is in top condition. Winter often brings harsh conditions on and off the road, so you’ll want your car to be performing at its best. In addition to a tune-up at the service center, be sure to do a careful check of the following:

• Battery: Car batteries have a harder time working in cold weather, so your battery might be put under strain in the coming winter months. Be sure to test your battery before the weather gets cold with a voltmeter to make sure it’s full— if it isn’t, get it replaced by a service expert right away.
• Lights: As the time changes and it gets dark sooner and sooner, working headlights and brake lights are absolutely essential. Your lights are also important in case of hazardous or inclement weather, so be sure to check them thoroughly to make sure they’re working properly.
• Wiper blades: If you live in an area with a lot of snow, your windshield wipers are going to be working overtime in the coming months, so make sure they’re in working order. Wiper blades are also vulnerable to ice buildup in cold climates, but you can invest in special winter blades to combat this.

Create an Emergency Prep Kit

• Winter clothes, including boots and gloves
• Shovel and ice scraper
• Batteries
• Cell phone charger
• Jumper cables
• First aid kit
• Thermal blanket
• Nonperishable food
• Sand or kitty litter
• Flares

Regularly Test and Maintain

As the winter months go on in Quincy, there are a few parts of your car you’ll want to keep regular tabs on to make sure everything is working properly. Regularly check the following:

• Tire Pressure: Your tire pressure falls along with the temperature, often about one pound per 10 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in an area with intense cold weather or cold snaps, your tires will be particularly vulnerable to losing pressure. Low tire pressure creates a lot of hazards for your vehicle, including more unpredictable handling on winter roads, so it’s essential you stay on top of tire pressure.
• Gasoline and fluids: It’s important that all your fluids stay topped up during the winter months, including gasoline, coolant (also known as antifreeze), brake fluid, and wiper fluid. A full supply of fluids cuts down on the possibility of excess water getting into your system and freezing, while keeping your gas tank full means you can run the engine for as long as possible in case of a weather-related emergency.
• Defroster and heater: These are two of the most important systems in your car during the winter – the heater keeps the cabin warm, while the defroster keeps ice off the windows. Regularly testing them to make sure they’re working properly is imperative no matter where you live.

Learn More with Ocean Honda of Hanover

If you have any questions or want more information about winter car prep tips, feel free to contact our office near Norwood anytime! You can schedule a service appointment right from our website so we can make sure your car is in top condition as the winter months arrive.