by Garrett McKinnon
VehicleMD Staff Writer
Originally published in Winter 2010 Issue

Snowy, wintry weather. It’s a fact of life for many of us in this country. In fact, try this little exercise: Find a map of the United States and, beginning in Norfolks, Virginia, draw a line west through Nashville, Tennessee continuing on through Fayetteville, Arkansas and Oklahoma City. Now veer southwest through Lubbock, Texas and Las Cruces, New Mexico before heading back northwest through Phoenix, Arizona and Las Vegas, Nevada. Finally, swoop over to Fresno, California and then north to Eureka, California. Got it? Now imagine this: Every place north of that line (barring a few places on the Oregon and Washington coast) receives, on average, more than eight inches of snowfall each year. That’s right, more than two-thirds of the country deals with its fair share of snow each year. True, if you live in Florida or Southern California you’re largely immune from winter’s wrath, but even places like Galveston, Texas (with an average of nearly half an inch of frozen precipitation each year) have to deal with winter weather from time to time.

That’s why it’s important to make sure you—and your car—are ready to face whatever Mother Nature throws your way. Hence, these 15 tips we’ve prepared to get you ready for the coming winter months.

1. Have Your Lights Checked
With fewer daylight hours in the winter, it’s critical to make sure others can see your car. “As the days get shorter, your vehicle’s lighting system becomes more important to the safety of you and your passengers,” said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. “From the driver’s seat you may not notice a light that isn’t working, so be sure to inspect your car’s lights at every oil change.” Lights are normal wear items that require periodic inspection and replacement. In addition to replacing dimming, rapidly blinking and non-functioning lights, it’s also important to keep headlights, taillights and signal lights clean (as external dirt and debris can dim operational lights from being seen by others) and to make sure your headlights are properly aimed (miss-aimed headlights blind other drivers and reduce your ability to see the road).

2. Store Your Winter Emergency Kit
Prepare an “emergency” kit and store it in your trunk—just in case the unexpected happens. Experts recommend keeping on hand: a blanket, extra boots and gloves, an extra set of warm clothes, extra water and food, an ice scraper, a small shovel, a flashlight, windshield washer fluid, spare windshield wipers, jumper cables, a tool kit, a first-aid kit and a bag of abrasive material such as sand, salt or non-clumping kitty litter that can provide additional traction if a tire gets stuck in snow.

3. Steer Into the Skid
You’ve probably heard it before, but it bears repeating: Steer into the skid. If your front tires lose traction when you’re trying to turn (a condition called understeer), turn the steering wheel slightly in the direction in which you’re skidding until the front tires reestablish traction. Trying to fight a skid by turning against it will usually just make things worse. If your rear tires lose traction when you’re trying to turn (called understeer), ease off the gas and turn the wheel in the same direction the rear tires are trying to go. This can keep you from spinning out of control. (Though if you’re like me you used to practice this in empty parking lots during snowy weather just for fun!)

4. Change Your Oil
Believe it or not, your car’s motor oil is affected by winter, too. In cold weather, the oil thickens, meaning it takes longer to lubricate critical engine parts on those bitter winter mornings. That’s why it’s never a bad idea to head into winter with fresh motor oil, or consider using a synthetic motor oil if you live in an area of the country that endures more than its share of very cold weather.

5. Save Some Gas
One bit of wisdom I’ve picked up over the years is to always leave at least a quarter of a tank of gas in your car during cold winter months. Not only will the extra gas help keep your car’s fuel lines from freezing, it can also help keep you warm in the event the unthinkable happens and you find yourself stranded. (Just remember to never run the engine if the car’s exhaust is obstructed by snow or other debris.)

6. Test Your Battery
There’s a common saying: “Batteries die in summer and are buried in winter.” Before you hear that awful “click, click, click” when you try to start your car one cold day, have your battery tested. (Most auto service facilities can do this for free or a minimal charge.) The test is quick and easy, and the results can tell you if it is time to replace the battery, something you’ll want to find out before you find yourself stuck out in the cold.

7. Fill the Washer Fluid
Not only is washer fluid good for rinsing bugs off your windshield, but modern washer fluid is generally mixed with a de-icer that can help melt snow and ice off your windshield, keeping your vision clear. Most auto service facilities will top off your washer fluid for free as part of any multipoint inspection, but if you’re uncertain about your washer fluid level, don’t hesitate to ask your auto service technician to inspect it and top it off, if necessary.

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