3 Simple Winter Car Care Tips

Jan 27, 2024

January may be winding down to a close, but we’re still very much ensconced in Winter. While we’ve shared plenty of tips and tricks to preparing yourself ahead of snow and ice season, there’s never a bad time for a refresher! Here are some ongoing winter car care tips to keep your ride in tip-top shape and safe from the frosty air.

Clean the windshield, roof, trunk and hood regularly. While it’s tempting to stay huddled inside in the frigid temps and inclement weather on a snow day, it’s vital that you make sure to continue to clean and clear your vehicle. If your vehicle’s handles or locks are frozen shut, use a de-icer spray to clear them. Warm up your vehicle by turning up the heat, setting the blowers towards the windows, and tap the defroster settings. This will help loosen the ice and snow or melt the frost to ease your cleanup. Gently brush off the snow, slush, and muck from your vehicle. If you’re parked on the street, gunk and grime from snowplows and salt trucks can also wreak havoc on your vehicle’s metal parts and exterior paint. Be sure to clear those areas as best you’re able and gently wipe off salt residue. Do not drive your vehicle until you have cleared all of the snow and ice, leaving them on means they may melt and dislodge while driving and cause accidents or damage.

Ensure that your wiper blades can efficiently clear winter mess. In the event of inclement weather, you can leave your wiper blades in a raised position to keep them from freezing to the glass. Avoid using your wiper blades to remove snow and ice, and instead use a designated ice scraper to remove them. Make sure your windshield wiper fluid is topped off with a winterized solution so you can clear the grime, sludge, and salty splashes from the road while driving. Frequently used wiper blades may need replacing more than average, so if you notice them streaking? It’s time to replace ASAP, as winter inclement weather is very difficult to drive in without a clear windshield.

Check your vehicle’s battery life regularly in cold temperatures. Battery power is reduced in cold weather temperatures, and additional wear and tear of driving in frigid air can reduce battery life overall. When temps dip below 32F battery life is often reduced 35% and as low as 50-60%! So, if your car is having trouble starting, don’t panic! Give the battery a good jump first, as it may just be the energy stores have been depleted. If that doesn’t work, you can replace it. You can have the trusted mechanics at our Classic Auto Body Shop test the battery for you, and if it needs replacing we’ll find you the best model to suit your needs. On average, vehicle batteries need replacing every 3 to 5 years depending on the make and model. Avoid taking short trips and instead opt for a little longer drive to give the battery time to keep warm and recharge; even if you work from home, make it a habit to take some driving time regularly in cold weather to keep your battery in good condition during the season. Remember, too, other features such as heat systems, defrosters, lights, windshield wipers, heated seats, and other electronics draw power from your battery, too! Make sure you check your vehicle after you turn it off to ensure that you haven’t left any interior or exterior lights on, as it may deplete your battery even faster than usual.