It’s difficult to get far without a car, especially during the winter months when Utah temperatures regularly dip below freezing. To ensure you have the smoothest and safest drives even during cold weather, it’s important to stay on top of your car’s maintenance and give it necessary winter upgrades.
Maintaining your vehicle ensures that you and your family can stay safe and warm, while also saving you from big expenses and repairs down the line.
1. Check Your Car’s Engine
The first step is to check your car’s engine to make sure it’s in good condition. If your battery is 3+ years old, it’s time to test it to ensure it won’t die out on you. Especially since cold weather can drain your battery, you want to check that it stays in working condition.
You will also want to check the terminal to see if there’s any corrosion. Visible buildup should be cleaned, as it can lead to battery problems if left. You can also consider a battery blanket, which will keep the battery at optimum temperature even when it’s freezing.
2. Check & Update Tires
For the safest winter driving, you should check that your tires are in good enough condition to be driving in icy and snowy conditions. Winter tires are equipped with enough traction to minimize skidding or slipping on the road.
You should also check your tire pressure and the tread depth. Though you may already have winter tires, standard routine checks will be best for your car.
3. Use Correct Oil & Fluids
When it’s freezing out, you should ensure that all the oils and fluids that your car requires are well-suited for the low temperatures. Engine oil can thicken in colder climates, so your car model may require switching to a winter-grade oil for better viscosity.
You may also want to replace your regular windshield wiper fluid for a winter version to prevent freezing. Also be sure to check the levels of your antifreeze and the correct proportions of coolant.
4. Warm Up Your Car
Though we all want a nice and toasty car for our drives, be sure to warm up your car correctly. In the first few minutes of driving, give your car time to warm up properly by driving gently. Idling for too long wastes fuel and is unnecessary. If your car has a remote start, don’t let your engine run for more than 5 minutes to prevent harm and damage to your engine.
5. Protect the Exterior
Though it’s important to keep the inner workings of your car functional, it’s also a good idea to protect the exterior of your car during freezing weather. Road salt can get underneath your car and cause damage to the undercarriage. Schedule in regular car washings to minimize the effect of road salt.
To provide more protection, you can coat your car with wax or install mud flaps. Both can shield against the elements, including gravel, mud, and ice.
6. Prepare Emergency Kit
In case of an emergency, you don’t want to get stuck unprepared. Keep an emergency kit in the back of your car if you get stranded or your car gets stuck somewhere. Here are some ideas for supplies to keep on hand:
- Ice scraper & snow brush
- Jumper cables
- Flashlight & extra batteries
- Warm blankets & extra clothing
- Non-perishable snacks & bottled water
- First aid kit
- Sand or kitty litter for traction
- A portable phone charger
7. Keep Tank at Half-Full
Though it’s a generally smart rule to not let your gas tank get all the way to empty before refilling, you should try to keep your tank at least half-full during the winter. Having more fuel in the tank minimizes the chance of the fuel line freezing. It’s also a good idea to have enough gas ready in case of an emergency or delay when you aren’t able to fill up soon.
8. Protect Windshield & Wipers
Maintaining your windshield and wipers are not only good for visibility, but also help protect your care overall. To prevent them freezing to the glass, lift the wipers when you park. You should also replace your wipers if they are worn to ensure the clearest windows when it rains or snows. You can also purchase a windshield cover, which helps to insulate the windshield, thereby preventing ice buildup and speeding up the morning warm-up process.
Complete Car Care
At Paskett Auto, we provide high quality services for your car to keep it functioning and thriving, even during the winter. We have been helping maintain cars for Northern Utah residents for over 25 years so you can trust in our expertise that you will be able to drive safely, rain or shine. Reach out to us today to get the best winter car care!
