Old Man Winter is hard on our vehicles, draining batteries, creating corrosion and placing heavy demand on lubrication systems. The long cold winter months also can be a threat to the heating and air-conditioning system that will keep you warm and remove moisture from the cabin.
Fortunately, preparing your vehicle for winter is an easy DIY job. Here’s a checklist of winterizing tips from our Tinker experts to keep your ride running smoothly all season long.
- Check and Test the Battery
Cold weather reduces your battery’s ability to deliver electrical power by slowing down its internal chemical reactions. Don’t just assume your battery will make it through winter.
To avoid getting stranded on a cold winter day, start by checking the battery for any visible signs of damage, such as cracks or leaks. Examine the terminals for corrosion, if you find a white, ashy substance on the terminals, remove them and clean with a combination of baking soda, water and a $10 wire-brush-style battery terminal cleaner.
Then, use a multimeter to test the battery with the engine off. A battery that’s in good condition should read about 12.6 volts. If your battery is low, a good follow-up is to give it a load test. Your battery needs to remain above nine volts during a load test to be considered good.
DIY Tip: You can buy a load tester for $20 to $30, however, most every auto parts store will load test your battery for free.
- Check the Belts and Hoses
Cold weather causes rubber belts and hoses to harden and become brittle. Head off these problems by looking for cracked hoses and double check every hose clamp. Then check your serpentine belt or accessory belts for cracking and hardening, and replace them if they’re showing signs of age. New belts and hoses are cheap insurance.
DIY Tip: Check the coolant hoses that go through the firewall to the heater core. They’re usually small and hidden so you’ll need a flashlight. If you constantly smell coolant in the cabin your heater core may have a leak.
- Check and Replace Key Fluids
Before the weather gets cold, it’s critical to check the condition of all your vehicle’s essential fluids.
- Engine Oil: If it's dirty or more than a year old, it’s time to change your oil and your oil filter. Some manufacturers recommend thinner oil for cold winter weather. Thinner oil reaches surfaces that need lubrication faster than thicker oil, which reduces wear. This is most critical at cold start when the oil is cold and least viscous.
- Engine Coolant: Replace your engine coolant if it looks rusty or is more than five years old. Be sure your vehicle has coolant rated for the temperatures it will experience to prevent freezing.
- Transmission Fluid: Ensure your tranny fluid is fresh (pink and sweet-smelling) and at the correct level; dark fluid with a burnt smell should be replaced.
- Brake Fluid: Change your brake fluid every two years to keep it fresh and don’t forget to bleed the system every time you work on your brakes. Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, compromising its stopping power.
DIY Tip: Check your owner’s manual to ensure you're using the correct fluids for your vehicle. Some manufacturers require their own coolant, and brake fluid recommendations vary by vehicle and use cases.
- Check Your Heating and Air Conditioning
Keeping your air conditioning system in top shape year round isn’t just a comfort feature, it’s a safety requirement. In the winter your A/C system dries the air inside the car, which keeps your windows from fogging up and compromising your view of the road.
If your A/C system is not functioning properly (blowing as cold as it should be), you may have a refrigerant leak, which can be coming from the condenser, compressor, evaporator coils, hoses and/or connections. Sometimes recharging the system with refrigerant will solve the problem, though that fix is often temporary.
DIY Tip: The best fix is to find the leak with an A/C leak detection kit, which are available starting at around $65, then replace the leaky components before recharging the system.
- Check Your Tires
It’s important to inspect the condition of your tires as winter approaches and you should start by measuring their tread depth with a dedicated tread-depth gauge. Old, worn out or “bald” tires are dangerous in wet and snowy conditions.
Tires with deeper tread provide better grip in rain and snow. This is why all-season tires and dedicated winter tires have both deeper tread and smaller tread blocks than summer tires. Summer tires, which are optimized for higher temperatures, should never be used in temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Conversely, don’t run winter tires in the summer. Their soft compounds will wear very quickly.
DIY Tip: If you don’t have a tread-depth gauge, you can check your tread-depth with a penny.
- Push the penny into a groove between tread blocks.
- If you can see all of Lincoln’s head your tread is worn below 2/32 inch and your tires need to be replaced.
Still have questions? Speak to one of our Tinker Experts today!
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Link to Winter Tire Buyer’s Guide blog
