Taking Care of Your Vehicle During the Extremely Cold Weather

With the sub-zero temperatures here, you may want to take extra care of their vehicles. Very cold, extended, weather can wreak havoc on your car . Here are a couple of tips:

 Park your vehicle in a garage if possible to avoid a dead battery.

 If you need a jump, make sure the cables are attached correctly.

 Don't pour hot water into frozen locks, you're more likely to damage your car, than unfreeze the locks.

 Watch your tire pressure, the super cold will reduce it.

 Warm your car before driving for a bit to get the oil moving over all the engine parts.



A little preventative maintenance is better than being stranded out in the cold. Here are a few things you can do to keep your car running without problems in the winter months:


Use lower grade oil during the winter. If the oil is too thick, the engine does not get the proper lubrication. See your owner’s manual for the recommended oil grade for winter season.


Check and maintain antifreeze, also called coolant, levels. It keeps the water in your radiator and engine from freezing in cold temps and from boiling over in the summer. It also lubricates the moving parts, like the water pump. It is suggested that you put at least 50% antifreeze in your radiator.


Check your vehicle’s battery. Having a poor battery can result in bad starting conditions in your car. Look for cracks and brakes in your cable or have a mechanic check it to make sure your battery is good.


Look for deterioration on belts and hoses. You want to check wear on hoses such as hardening and softening. Give a good squeeze to check for leakage, cracks, or other damage on the exterior of the hose to determine if they need to be replaced. Also check your car’s serpentine belt for cracks, cuts, pieces missing, or if it is noisy when running.

Get quality windshield wipers and windshield washer fluid with anti-freeze solution to ensure you have good visibility.


Check the heater and windshield defroster for proper operation. It is a good idea to check the air-conditioner, which speeds up the defrost process.

Check your tire pressure as air pressure in a cold tire drops (read your owner’s manual to find the proper tire inflation). Tire pressure is important during the winter due to low traction in wet or snowy road conditions. It will also help protect against wheel damage when your vehicle drives over potholes. While you’re at it, check the spare tire for proper inflation too.


You can do much of this on your own but it is a good idea to take your vehicle to a reliable mechanic to ensure your car is running smoothly.