Harsh winter will ruin your car, but learning how to prepare a car for winter can save you from weeks of repair costs and make you feel safe on icy roads. According to AAA, winter generates 8.1 million roadside calls every year, and when the weather is cold, battery failure is the number one cause of breakdown. Road salt alone, the EPA says, generates $5 billion in vehicle damage within the United States annually. Whether you have to face Ohio’s winters or any other cold place, this comprehensive guide will teach you exactly how to prepare your car for winter and preserve your investment.

From detailing hundreds of cars through Cleveland and Akron winters in our 20+ years of service, we’ve witnessed firsthand the damage a vehicle not prepared for winter can take. The good news? The overwhelming majority of winter-related car issues are completely preventable with a little prep.

Battery and Charging System

Car batteries are especially vulnerable during cold winter months, and they may lose as much as 32% capacity in freezing temperatures. 

When asking, “How to prepare your car for winter?” You must begin by taking care of the battery.

1. Check Your Battery Before Winter Comes A battery test should also be performed by an auto parts or repair outlet. All batteries last between 3 and 5 years, but cold temperatures may see even newer batteries decide to go dead on you. If you think your battery is over three years old, consider getting it replaced early.

    

2. Clean Battery Terminals Corrosion on the terminals of the battery can prevent proper electrical contact. Clean the terminals with a wire brush and apply petroleum jelly to prevent future corrosion.

    

3. Get A Battery Blanket For cold places where it is colder than -10°F, a battery blanket can help keep it near optimal temperature and possibly add life to it.

With years of experience, we suggest keeping your car battery between 30 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. At below-freezing temperatures, it’s going to take a while for your battery to turn over, and there’s a higher chance of it failing.

Tires: Grip and Safety

Tire maintenance is also vital when you are preparing a car for winter. Tire pressure falls significantly, 1-2 PSI per 10 Fahrenheit temperature decline. 

1. Check Tread and Pattern Wear: Place a penny in your tire tread with Lincoln’s head facing down. If you see the top of Lincoln’s head, it’s time for new tires. Wear patterns on one side mean you’ve got alignment problems, which are hazardous on icy or snowy roads.

    

2. Switch to Winter Tires: All-season tires also become bad if temperatures are consistently below 45 degrees or more. Winter tires never slip in cold road conditions and prevent you from crashing into a wreck when stopping.

    

3. Check Tire Pressure Weekly: Check tire pressure more often in cold winter weather. Proper pressure is critical for traction, economy, and preventing blowouts. Store a good quality tire gauge in the glove box for emergencies.

Just like your tires need protection from winter elements, your car’s windows deserve the same care. Professional window tinting not only provides year-round UV protection but can also help reduce glare from winter snow and ice.

Winter-Grade Fluids

Car fluids act differently when it’s cold, so fluid maintenance is essential when you prep your car for winter.

1. Antifreeze and Coolant: You need a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water to keep it from freezing. Check and flush coolant if needed. Old coolant freezes and may result in engine damage.

    

2. Windshield Washer Fluid: Replace with freeze-proof windshield washer fluid suitable for lowest temperatures. Ordinary washer fluid can freeze in your reservoir and lines, which will give you limited visibility in storms.

    

3. Engine Oil Considerations: Employ a lower viscosity oil for cold start convenience. With experience gathered by years of working with cars, we can say that transmission fluid starts to thicken below 35 degrees Fahrenheit, making cold starts not only difficult but also potentially damaging.

Wipers and Lights: Visibility Matters

Clear visibility for safe winter driving is essential. Limited visibility accounts for most of the 498 traffic fatalities and 32,213 injury crashes that occur each year in snowy winter conditions. To avoid being part of these statistics:

1. Replace Old Wiper Blades: Introduce winter wiper blades that can resist ice accumulations and snow buildups. Regular blades will freeze on your windshield or will not function well to clear heavy snows.

    

2. Clean and Test All Lights Check all headlights, taillights, stoplights, and turn signals. Clean dirty lenses often, as road salt and dirt can greatly lower light output.

    

3. Snow Clearing Technique: While clearing snow, more car owners are concerned about how to scrape snow from cars without damaging paint, and we advise you to always work with a soft-bristled snow brush, begin from the highest part downwards, and never scrape ice by using a metal tool on body paint.

Don’t wait for winter damage to happen. Book your winter detailing package today and let our professionals prepare your vehicle for harsh weather conditions.

Winter Emergency Kit Essentials

Preparation can mean the difference between a minor inconvenience and a dangerous situation. More than 116,000 Americans are injured, and over 1,300 are killed on snowy, slushy, or icy pavement every year.

Essential Items to Include:

• Snow shovel and ice scraper
• Jumper cables
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Warm blankets and extra clothing
• Non-perishable snacks and water
• Traction aids (sand, kitty litter, or traction mats)
• Road flares or reflective triangles
• Phone charger (car adapter and portable battery)
• Basic tools and duct tape
• First aid kit

While you’re stocking your emergency kit, don’t forget about maintaining your car’s interior. Winter weather often means wet, muddy conditions that can leave lasting marks on your seats. Learn more about professional stain removal techniques to keep your interior looking its best all season long.

Rust and Paint Protection

Water, snow, and road salt create the perfect corrosion ingredient for cars. Understanding how to protect car paint in winter can preserve thousands of dollars of bodywork and retain your car’s value.

• Salt problem: even though salt is used to deice and reduce 93% of winter accidents, the use of salt causes the oxidation process to be triggered, increasing the rust formation process of metal parts such as the undercarriage, frame, and suspension parts.

   

• Proper Washing is Critical: Wash your vehicle every winter season; the underside of the vehicle, where all the road salt accumulates, should be the primary concern.
  Don’t forget salt destroys car paint jobs because it erodes protective paint coverings.

   

• Professional Paint Protection: Consider professional paint protection before winter. Professional protection is something that can be done by Nathan’s Detailing using ceramic coating, which places an invisible shield of protection against salt, chemicals, and contaminants. Our mobile car detailing brings professional protection to your doorstep.

   

• DIY Preventive Methods: Use a high-quality car wax in the winter to keep the dirt out.

   

• Storage Solutions: When people are wondering, “How to protect your car from snow without a garage?” Get a good snow car cover. Just take the time to get the car completely dried out in the meantime so that moisture isn’t trapped.

Warm-Up Myths and Tips

Modern engines don’t require extensive warm-up periods, contrary to popular belief. Understanding proper warm-up procedures helps when you prepare your car for winter.

1. The Reality of Engine Warm-Up Modern fuel-injected engines need only 1-2 minutes of warm-up time before driving. Extended idling wastes fuel and can actually harm your engine by preventing it from reaching optimal operating temperature.

    

2. Proper Warm-Up Procedure Start your engine and let it idle for 1-2 minutes, then drive gently for the first few miles. This allows all components to warm up gradually and reach proper operating temperatures.

    

3. Regular Starting Schedule: if you don’t use your car often, start your vehicle every 3-4 days and let it run for 10-15 minutes. This maintains battery charge and prevents fluids from thickening.

    

Additional Tips for Winter Driving

In addition to mechanical preparation, smart driving practices are vital when you prepare a car for winter driving.

• Fuel Management Keep the tank half full or full during the winter. It prevents fuel line freeze-up and has enough gas in the tank in the event of being stuck. It also will provide good traction for the rear-wheel-drive cars.

   

• Practice in Safe Conditions Practice your winter driving in a safer, open, vacant parking lot. Practice how your car will respond in the snow, the ice, etc.

   

• Identify Road Hazards: Pay attention to black ice, which forms when temperatures are close to freezing. Overpasses and bridge decks freeze first, so they can be hazardous even if other roads are in good condition.

   

• Professional Maintenance Professional pre-winter preparation is advisable. Our mobile car detailing service brings full winter prep right to your door, making your vehicle ready for rough weather.

FAQ Section

Is snow bad for car paint?

Yes, snow is bad for car paint, especially when you include road salt in the mixture. While snow isn’t necessarily terrible on its own, the freeze-thaw cycle likes to trap dirt in your car, while salt speeds up corrosion.

Can salt rust a car? 

Yes. Salt speeds up the reaction by which oxygen is used to start the rusting process on a metal object. 

How often should I start the car during winter?

 If you are not using the car, start it once in 3-4 days for 10-15 minutes for maintaining the health of the battery as well as for preventing fluids from hardening.

Should I wash my car in the winter?

Yes, since washing is required to remove corrosive road salt. Make sure to clean underneath thoroughly where the salt piles up in the largest amount.

How should I remove snow without scratching paint?

Use soft-bristled snow brushes starting from the roof and working downwards, but never use metal scrapers on paint. Attempt to warm up the engine slightly for ice and snow to melt.

Protect Your Investment This Winter

Knowing how to prepare a car for winter is just the first step. Professional preparation can make the difference between minor winter inconveniences and major repair bills.

Here at Nathan’s Detailing, our 20+ years of experience covering the Cleveland and Akron areas has demonstrated that prevention will always be better than repair. From our full-ceramic protective coatings that will have your automobile protected from the damaging salts and harsh weather to our mobile car detailing that will offer professional attention right in your driveway, we make winter prep easy and efficient.

Ready to winter-proof your vehicle? Contact Nathan’s Detailing today to schedule your pre-winter preparation service. With over 1,300+ Google reviews and proven expertise in cold-weather vehicle protection, we’ll ensure your car is ready for whatever winter throws your way.