Winter Car Checklist: 10 Things to Do Before the First Freeze

To get your car ready for winter, test the battery, check the coolant's freeze protection, make sure your tires have good tread and the right pressure (or switch to winter tires), replace worn wipers, top up winter washer fluid, check lights and brakes, and pack an emergency kit. A mobile mechanic can run through most of it in your driveway in under an hour.

The 10-point checklist

1. Test the battery

Cold weather cuts a battery's power just as the engine needs more to start. A battery that was borderline in fall often fails on the first cold morning. A load test tells you if it's ready. See mobile battery replacement.

2. Check coolant strength

Coolant (antifreeze) protects the engine from freezing and cracking. A mechanic tests the mix's protection level and checks for leaks.

3. Tires: tread and pressure

Tire pressure drops as temperatures fall. Check monthly. In snowy regions, winter tires grip far better than all-seasons on snow and ice.

4. Wipers and washer fluid

Replace streaky wipers and fill with winter-rated washer fluid that won't freeze.

5. Lights

Days are shorter. Check headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals, and clean foggy headlight lenses.

6. Brakes

Slick roads demand brakes in good shape. See mobile brake repair for warning signs.

7. Heater and defroster

Make sure both work well before you need to clear an icy windshield. Weak heat can mean low coolant or a stuck thermostat.

8. Oil

Make sure you're using the viscosity your manual specifies for cold weather, and that you're not overdue. See our car maintenance schedule.

9. Belts and hoses

Cold makes rubber brittle. Look for cracks, bulges and leaks.

10. Emergency kit

Keep in the car: blanket, gloves, ice scraper, small shovel, flashlight, phone charger, jumper cables or a jump pack, sand or kitty litter for traction, water and snacks.

Diesel owners

Diesels have extra cold-weather needs: winter fuel, anti-gel, glow plugs and block heaters. See diesel won't start in the cold.

If it won't start on a cold morning

Rapid clicking usually means the battery; see jump start or new battery?. A mobile mechanic can come to the driveway with a new battery so you're not waiting in the cold.

Frequently asked questions

When should I winterize my car?
Before the first hard freeze. Fall is ideal.

Do I need winter tires?
If you regularly drive on snow and ice, they make a real difference. In mild climates, good all-seasons are usually enough.

Should I warm up my car for a long time?
Modern engines need only a short warm-up. Driving gently warms them faster than idling.

Book a winter check

Find a mobile mechanic who covers your area on the locations page.