Cold Weather Car Maintenance Tips & Tricks

There’s no denying it – winter is coming. Temperatures are about to drop and snow is on the way. What does this mean for your car? Winter car care is important, both for the life of your car and for your own safety while driving through the winter months. Cold weather car maintenance means more than just clearing off all the snow or keeping cat litter on hand for when you get stuck. Keep these car maintenance tips in mind as we head into the colder months.

Check on Your Car Battery

Dropping temps aren’t just shocking for you, they also hit your car’s battery hard. In fact, your car battery loses power the colder it gets and has half the power at 0 as it does at 80. That means if your battery is already on its last leg, you’re in for a long winter of jump starting your car and maybe finding yourself stranded. It’s a good idea to take a look at your battery and its connections before temperatures drop too much. You can easily clean the connections to your battery with a little baking soda and water if they look corroded.

A Mechanic Can Test Your Battery’s Life Left

An extra measure to ensure you stay safe and mobile through the winter months is to head to an auto shop or mechanic. At either place, you should be able to have your battery tested to make sure it can safely get you through the winter. If your battery is getting old, it’s a good idea to replace it now rather than later. At the very least, keep a set of jumper cables in your trunk in case your car won’t start on a cold morning.

image of mechanic installing new battery

Get an Oil Change

It’s a good idea to get your oil changed at least once or twice a year. Different cars vary on their specific requirements, so check your owner’s manual, but heading into the winter months, it’s an especially good idea to think about the last time you got an oil change. This is because colder temperatures will thicken your engine oil and older oil is already thicker due to the contaminants it picks up while circulating through the engine. If it’s been a few months, head off potential problems by getting an oil change.

Engine Oil Viscosity Helps with Seasonality

If you do your own oil changes or even top off your oil from time to time, take a look at what type of engine oil you’re using. Look for a W in the type of oil – that shows that it’s formulated for winter use and has a healthy viscosity to get you through colder temperatures.

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image of mechanic pouring new engine oil

Take a Look at Your Tires

There are two things you should look at with your tires: tire wear and tire pressure. Colder temperatures lower your tire pressure, while warmer temperatures do the opposite. This means you’re more prone to under-filled tires in the winter and may start your car on a cold morning to find a message saying one or more of your tires need air. Take a look at your owner’s manual for the optimal tire pressure for your car and make sure they’re properly filled.

Do the Penny Test to Check Wear

Traction is key, especially with winter weather. Roads are never trickier to drive on than they are with ice and snow, so you want to make sure your tires are ready. Take a penny and place it in your tire treads with the top of Lincoln’s head facing down. If you can see the top of his head, you need new tires. Do that with each of your tires and make sure they all have enough tread to get you through the winter months. If you need new tires, consider getting all-weather or winter tires, depending on what type of driving you do.

image of car driving on snowy road from low perspective

Keep Up with At-Home Maintenance

Easy at-home maintenance includes topping off fluids like your wiper fluid and even engine oil if it gets too low. It also includes swapping out your wiper blades once or twice a year, depending on their wear. As soon as you start seeing streaks when you use your wiper blades, it’s a good idea to buy new ones and swap them out.

Wipers and Wiper Fluid Help Maintain Visibility in Bad Weather

In snow and ice, it becomes increasingly important that you can see where you’re going. You need increased time to come to a complete stop and accidents can happen quickly. Two key factors in maintaining that visibility are your wiper blades and wiper fluid. Both will keep your windshield clean and clear so you can see any upcoming dangers before they impact you and your car.

image of view out of car front windshield with ice forming on window

AAMCO Boise Can Help with Any Seasonal Car Care

Whether you need a major car repair or regular seasonal maintenance, our expert mechanics are here to help. We understand the importance of keeping up with regular maintenance in both a longer lifespan for your car and your safety while driving – especially during the harsh weather of winter months. It’s time to schedule a visit to your local trusted mechanic for an auto repair service.

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