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be winter-ready
AAA Members receive a free vehicle maintenance inspection upon request with any paid service at a nearby AAA-owned Car Care Center or AAA Approved Auto Repair facility, a 36-month/36,000-mile guarantee on repairs at AAA-owned Car Care locations, and a 24-month/24,000-mile warranty at AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities. Members also receive a 10% discount on repair labor (save up to $75).
Cold temperatures, snow, ice and road salt can affect everything from your battery and tires to your brakes and visibility. Learning how to winterize your car before winter arrives can help prevent breakdowns, improve safety and reduce costly repairs. Use this winter car maintenance checklist to prepare your vehicle for freezing temperatures and challenging driving conditions.
Before winter arrives, check your vehicle’s:
These components are most affected by cold weather and play a critical role in winter driving safety.
On winter’s coldest mornings, you’ll need your car’s battery to be fully charged and in good condition to start the engine. Your vehicle relies on electricity from the battery to start. Colder temperatures cause chemical reactions within the battery, which, in turn, slow down electricity and hinder your vehicle’s ability to reach maximum power.
It is imperative to have your battery checked before winter, especially if you’ve had to jump-start it since last winter, because you don’t want to be stranded somewhere in the bitter cold. AAA-owned Car Care Centers and AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities can test and replace weak batteries. AAA Members who encounter a battery problem at home or on the road can request AAA Mobile Battery Service—a technician will test your battery and, if necessary, replace it onsite at a special rate.
If you’re a DIYer who only goes to a repair shop when necessary, take note: AAA Members save 10% off the retail price and earn NAPA Rewards at NAPA Auto Parts, both sitewide and in-store, on thousands of automotive products. Plus, save $22 off retail pricing on AAA vehicle batteries.
Save NowLet’s start with a quick definition: Antifreeze and coolant are not the same thing. Coolant is the product you add to your car’s coolant system. It is a mixture of water and antifreeze (concentrated ethylene glycol or propylene glycol), and it is essential for keeping your vehicle’s engine functioning properly no matter the season. Without it, your engine could overheat in the summer or seize up in the winter. Though water and other coolants can cool your vehicle, they are more susceptible to the winter weather elements. Without the chemical properties of antifreeze, water and other coolants will freeze and expand, which could cause severe damage to your engine and even damage the block.
As winter approaches, check the coolant level in the overflow tank when the engine is cold and turned off. If the level is low, add coolant to maintain the necessary antifreeze capability. Test the antifreeze protection level annually with an inexpensive tester available at most auto parts stores—including NAPA Auto Parts, where AAA Members save 10 percent on most parts and accessories.
Winter weather reduces visibility quickly. Before temperatures drop, check that your windshield washer reservoir is filled with freeze-resistant washer fluid and inspect wiper blades for cracking, tearing or streaking. Replacing worn wipers before winter can improve visibility during snow, sleet and freezing rain.
For added convenience, AAA's Mobile Windshield Wiper Blade Service is available in select markets, where most roadside technicians can replace worn wiper blades in just a few minutes as an add-on during a regular service call. The service includes special AAA Member pricing, installation and disposal of the old blades.
If you live in snowy places, then you are probably familiar with scraping ice-covered windshields and windows. It is an arduous, chilly task that causes frustrating delays. Applying a hydrophobic repellent like Rain-X to your windshield can make ice removal easier.
Be sure that your windshield is clean and dry when starting the application process. Debris and moisture on the windshield could interfere with the treatment’s ability to properly adhere, thereby reducing its effectiveness. Follow the product’s directions; if applied properly, scraping off ice should be much easier this winter.
If your windows were not treated, and you are having trouble scraping, do NOT try to rush the process by pouring hot water on your icy windows. The rapid temperature change could cause them to crack, leaving you with an even bigger problem to deal with.
Check the inflation pressure of all four tires and the spare more frequently in winter. This is especially important if you reside in a state that regularly deals with snowy and icy roads. Snow and ice make roads slick and difficult for tires to gain traction. It is important to be ready for the season, whether that means inspecting your current tires or changing to winter-ready tires.
As temperatures drop, so will tire pressures—typically by 1 PSI (pounds per square inch) for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Proper tire pressure levels can be found in the owner’s manual or on a sticker typically located on the driver’s door jamb. It is important to note that the PSI molded on a tire sidewall is the tire’s maximum PSI, not the recommended inflation pressure.
Examine tires for tread depth. If you notice any uneven wearing and cupping, then you may encounter difficulty driving this winter. Tires with less than 4/32” of tread will have reduced traction in wet and snowy conditions. In extreme climates, a set of winter tires may be a wise investment, as they are designed to give you more traction in the snow.
If you’re experiencing a slow-to-crank engine, clicking sound at start-up, dim headlights or battery corrosion or cracks/bulges, replace your car battery before it fails and leaves you stranded. AAA makes it easy.
See PricesWith darker days and snowy weather limiting visibility, having clear, functional headlights is essential for your safety and the safety of others. Cloudy headlights reduce your ability to see and be seen at night, especially in snow and fog.
Snow, dirt and grime can hinder your headlight’s ability to illuminate your path. To ensure that they are ready for the winter, consider purchasing a headlight restoration kit. They allow you to restore your headlight housing so that you can achieve the best visibility. These kits range from $20 to $40 and are available at most auto stores—including NAPA Auto Parts.
Aside from cleaning your headlights, it is important to make sure they are functioning properly. Prior to winter, you should consider the following:
Car brakes don’t always give a warning when they’re worn low or experiencing other problems, and you don’t want to find out there’s an issue with them on an icy road. Have them checked before winter arrives and monitor for symptoms throughout the winter as well.
The combination of snow, moisture and road salt is a breeding ground for rust. If you live in a state where winter snow is an annual occurrence, some level of rust is inevitable. However, too much rust build-up can cause your vehicle’s rotors to become rough and uneven. There is also a risk of rust transfer from your rotors to your pads, which affects braking. Symptoms of brake issues include strange noises, sticking brake pads and reduced stopping ability.
With winter approaching, it is important to be prepared for emergencies with a car emergency kit. It is not always fun thinking about potential negative outcomes, but taking some time to prepare could prove advantageous when the thing you hope will never happen does happen.
Snow could leave you stranded on the side of a road, your car could fail to start, or you could experience an accident as a result of icy roads. If it is an especially snowy day, you could be stuck in falling temperatures for an extended period waiting for rescue.
That is why you should always keep an emergency kit equipped for winter weather handy. The safety items in it should include:
Your safest move when you’re stranded is to stay inside your vehicle and call for professional assistance—like AAA. AAA Roadside Assistance has the equipment and expertise to get you out safely without risking injury or damage to your car.
Getting ready for winter may feel like a daunting task, but it is necessary to ensure your vehicle is prepared to face the season’s harsh elements. The good news is that you do not have to prepare alone. Take your vehicle to a trusted auto shop, where a qualified technician will run an inspection and help you understand what your vehicle needs to be winter-ready and make any necessary changes so that you can face the winter months with confidence.
Before winter arrives, make sure you:
Not a AAA Member? Learn how your membership can help you in all stages of life, on and off the road.
Join Today!It's best to winterize your car before temperatures consistently fall below 40°F. This gives you time to address battery, tire and coolant issues before severe weather arrives.
Battery testing and tire inspection are among the most important winter maintenance tasks because cold temperatures reduce battery performance and tire pressure.
Not necessarily. Drivers in regions with frequent snow, ice and prolonged freezing temperatures may benefit from winter tires. Drivers in milder climates can often use quality all-season tires with adequate tread depth.
Check tire pressure at least once per month and whenever there is a significant temperature change.
A winter emergency kit should include blankets, water, snacks, jumper cables, an ice scraper, flashlight, gloves, first-aid supplies and traction aids such as sand or cat litter.
be winter-ready
AAA Members receive a free vehicle maintenance inspection upon request with any paid service at a nearby AAA-owned Car Care Center or AAA Approved Auto Repair facility, a 36-month/36,000-mile guarantee on repairs at AAA-owned Car Care locations, and a 24-month/24,000-mile warranty at AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities. Members also receive a 10% discount on repair labor (save up to $75).
