How to Prepare Your Car for Winter

Cold weather is harder on a car's battery, fluids, and tires than most other conditions. A short pre-winter checklist can prevent the most common cold-weather breakdowns.

Battery

Cold weather reduces a battery's effective capacity right when starting an engine takes more power. Have your battery tested before winter, especially if it's more than 3 years old — a battery that's been marginal all summer often fails on the season's first genuinely cold morning.

Tires

Check tread depth and consider dedicated winter tires if you regularly drive in snow or ice, since all-season tires lose meaningful grip below roughly 45°F even with good tread. Also check tire pressure specifically — it drops as temperatures fall, and low pressure affects handling and fuel economy.

Fluids

• Confirm your coolant/antifreeze mixture is rated for your region's lowest expected temperatures
• Switch to a winter-weight washer fluid rated well below freezing
• Check your oil is appropriate for cold-weather starting per your owner's manual

Other checks

• Replace wiper blades if they're worn — winter weather demands more from them than summer
• Confirm all exterior lights work properly, since winter means more driving in low-light conditions
• Keep a basic emergency kit in the car: blanket, flashlight, ice scraper, and jumper cables
• Check the heater and defroster are working properly before you actually need them