Winter hits fast and without any warning here in Utah. We go from summer to winter in less than a week. We need to be ready BEFORE we think we need to be ready for bad weather to hit. As soon as November is here I know I am behind and I have to get ready ASAP. To get my car ready for the winter I have a winter safety kit checklist, snow tires, and I do a through cleaning – including winterizing my cars. There are a few things you can do to winterize your car to ensure you are ready for bad weather. Is your car ready for the snow and ice?

How to Winterize Your Car

Luckily I just got a new car – yesterday. So all of these things are done and ready for me, but we still have to do all of the following for my husband’s and son’s car this weekend.

Here is a list of 8 things you will need to do to winterize your car before the snow days start:

  • Tires

    • Put snow tires on your car if you live in an area with snow/ice.
    • Check tires for proper tread and air pressure.

  • Antifreeze and Cooling System

    • Before it starts to freeze outside you need to drain your cooling system and add antifreeze. You should be draining the car radiator and refilling it with new coolant at least once a year – do it when the weather gets cold.

  • Brakes

    • Have your brake fluid levels checked
    • Replace worn brake pads

  • Windshield Wipers

    • Replace wiper fluid with a winter mixture and maintain the proper fluid level
    • Consider winter wiper blades (more sturdy) to help cut through snow and ice

  • Lights

    • Replace foggy or damaged lens covers
    • Make sure all lights are working properly, replace any bulbs that are out

  • Battery

    • If your battery is more than 2 years old, have it inspected by a mechanic
    • Make sure you have cables in your trunk

  • Heater and Defroster

    • Turn the defroster and heater on and off a few times – don’t wait to find out they are broken when it is snowing

  • Oil

    • Heavier oils get thick when the temperature lowers and may not lubricate properly – consider switching to “winter weight” oil

Winter Car Safety Kit

Don’t get stranded – winterize your car today with a Winter Car Safety Kit. We keep a small duffel in the trunk of each car year round with most of these items. I add the winter items at the beginning of November:

  • prepackaged snacks
  • cell phone charger
  • first aid kit
  • jumper cables
  • flares
  • blankets and gloves
  • flashlight

I try to keep a full tank of gas at all times and encourage my kids to do the same. I fill up when I hit half a tank instead of waiting for the light to turn on.

My college aged son’s car is stocked with the following (smaller list but he travels less and not as far as we do):