5 Things You Should Do to Prepare Your Car for the Winter Season

Winter can be a challenging season for driving, even in regions like Nashville that don’t see much snow. Since winters tend to be wet and nights are cold, roads can be slippery, even if there’s no snow on the ground.

Keep reading for five tips to get your car ready for winter.

5 Things To Do

#1 - Check the tread and inflate your tires.

Make sure your tires have plenty of tread. It’s a good idea to rotate your tires every time you have your oil changed to prevent them from wearing unevenly.

One effective way to check your tires’ tread depth is through the use of the “Penny Test.” To do this, place a penny with Lincoln’s head facing you, and stick it in the tread so that the top of Lincoln’s head cannot be seen. If you can see his whole head while the penny sits in the groove, then you need to replace your tires.

Having low air pressure in your tires can be particularly hazardous when driving on winter roads. Visit your mechanic and ask them to check your tires for you. They’ll typically do this for free, and will add air to your tires if they are low.

If you know how to check your tires, you can do so yourself at any gas station using the free tire air pump.

#2 - If appropriate for your situation, consider snow tires.

If you do most of your driving around town, you likely won’t need to install snow tires on your vehicle. However, if you live in a mountainous area or frequently drive to the mountains, it may be wise to swap out your standard tires for snow tires.

#3 - Change your oil and antifreeze.

Even if it seems a bit early to be changing your oil, it may be wise to do so before the winter months. The last thing you want is for your engine to have issues during a cold front.

#4 - Check your heater.

Make sure your heater works before you actually need it. Driving for a little while without heat can be tolerable, but consider what it might be like to be stuck on the side of the road without a working heater for an extended period of time.

#5 - Check your battery.

Cold weather causes your battery capacity to decrease. It’s wise to make sure your vehicle is prepared for the cold months by having a professional check your battery’s fluid and cables.