Tool List: Tire Pressure Gauge, Tire Tread Depth Indicator, Battery Cleaning Kit, Battery Tester, Roadside Kit

Get Ready for Winter Driving

Winter is officially here. For those living in the midwest, you already know that the absolute worst time to have your vehicle breakdown suddenly is during the winter months. Luckily, a little preventative maintenance goes a long way. Go through this simple checklist before heading out on a winter road trip and catch any red flags before they land you on the side of the road.

Check Your Tires

Keeping your tires in good condition is absolutely essential, especially when road conditions are less than favorable.

Start by checking your tire pressure with a tire pressure gauge. Do not rely on your tire pressure monitoring system; Monitoring systems are a great tool, however, sensors can malfunction or lose calibration. It’s always a good idea to regularly check your pressure manually. Refer to your vehicle’s service manual for recommended pressures. If you have different sized tires than your vehicle was equipped with from the factory, you’ll need to do your research to ensure you’re inflating your tires to the proper pressure. When in doubt, look closely at the sidewall of your tire(s); You’ll see a “Max Inflation” rating – Always make sure you’re staying below that pressure.

Related: How To Check Your Tire Pressure

Next up, tread check. You can use a tire tread depth indicator tool, or if you’re like most people and don’t have one, you can use a penny instead (yes, a penny! See how here).

In addition to checking the pressure and tread depth, make sure you’re looking for signs of improper tire wear and damage as well.

Check Your Battery

Inspect battery and cables for corrosion. If you’re not sure what to look for, it’s the same greenish crumbly stuff you find when you go to change batteries in one of your kid’s toys. Get yourself a battery cleaning kit if you find corrosion – Letting it go too long can eat away at the cables and cause connection/contact issues.

Test your battery (most parts stores can do this for free) to make sure it is up for the challenge of winter starting. If it isn’t, replace it. If you want to play it extra-safe, get a battery booster pack and never worry about a dead battery again.

Replace Your Wiper Blades

Notice that I said replace, not check. Wiper blades do not live forever. After a long, cruel summer of heat and crusty bugs, they will be past their prime. Replace them now (preferably indoors or on a warmer day) so you’re not forced to freeze your fingers later when they fail during a blizzard.

Plenty of Fluids (to check)

Fluids play a super important role under the hood (and on the windshield, don’t forget that one) so make sure those are at the appropriate levels. Every vehicle is a little different, so you’ll definitely need to consult your service manual to find and check your fluid levels. Make sure you’re putting the right type of fluid in. Color is not the only variable (you absolutely cannot use color to determine what goes in). Check your service manual or drive over to a parts store and have them help you look up what you need.

Check ALL Your Lights

Turn all the lights on and walk around your vehicle to check for any burnt bulbs. Have someone help you with the brake lights or put something heavy on the brake pedal to check your brake lights. Don’t forget about the small side markers, license plates lights, and third brake light, if equipped. Another one to check is the under-hood light – You just never know when you’ll need that one.

Pack Your Survival Kit

Diligent maintenance and good intentions still won’t stop mother nature from occasionally landing you on the side of the road. When that happens, you want to be as prepared as possible. Before heading out on the road, especially if a winter storm is looming, pack up a survival kit and keep it in your vehicle for emergencies. You can buy a ready-made winter survival kit, but you’ll also want to bring things that are specific to you and your family’s needs. A few things that come to mind include:

Large, warm blanket or insulated sleeping bag
Warm and waterproof gloves
Warm hat and/or ski mask
Hand warmers
Snow shovel
Ice scraper
Tool kit
Flashlight or lantern
Snacks, bottled water, and any necessary medicine

Conclusion

Winter driving comes with its own set of challenges – Slippery roads, low visibility, and all those crazy drivers to mention a few. Going through a quick checklist will help keep your vehicle running smoothly. It’ll be one less thing to worry about. Stay safe and warm out there!