Top 5 Ways to Tune Up Your Car for Winter Driving

By Admin on December 11, 2012 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Winter driving brings many unique challenges. As a result, you should consider tuning up your car for the winter season to minimize your chance of accident and injury.

Even if you live in a warm climate, there may be seasonal changes in the weather that you will have to deal with like more rain and slick roads. And if you live in a cooler climate, you may have already dealt with snow, sleet, and having to put chains on your tires.

Here are five of the top ways you can tune up your car for the winter, as provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

Check your battery. When the temperature drops, so does battery power. Additionally, it can take more battery power to start your vehicle in cold weather. So it is important that you check your battery for sufficient voltage, inspect the charging system, and make any necessary repairs and replacements.
Check your cooling system. Coolant can expand when it freezes. This can seriously damage your car's engine. Double-check your coolant to ensure that it can withstand winter temperatures. You may need to flush or refresh your coolant.
Fill your windshield washer reservoir. You'll want your windshield washer fluid topped off if you experience a snowstorm. Besides refilling your fluid, you should also consider using high quality "no-freeze" fluids. Additionally, it's not a bad idea to keep some extra in your trunk.
Check your windshield wipers and defrosters. Make sure your wipers work and replace torn windshield wipers if necessary. Also, test your defrosters. Poor visibility in wintry weather can be a recipe for disaster.
Inspect your tires. If it's going to snow, you should consider getting new snow tires. If you'll be keeping your existing tires, you should check to ensure they are properly inflated, the tread is sufficient, and that your tires aren't uneven.

Related Resources:

Winterize Your Car (The Weather Channel)
5 Ways to Avoid Auto Accidents in the Snow (FindLaw's Common Law)
7 Winter Driving Tips to Keep You Safe (FindLaw’s Injured)