Winter is coming, and while that sounds dramatic, your car doesn’t exactly handle freezing temps and icy roads like a pro unless you give it some extra love. Sure, it’s great for warming up your seat or blasting holiday tunes, but if you ignore basic winter maintenance, your car might just leave you stranded—probably while it's snowing sideways. To keep your ride running smoothly (and safely), here’s what you need to know about maintaining your vehicle during winter.

Tires

If there’s one thing you don’t want to skimp on during winter, it’s your tires. They’re the only thing between your car and that icy death trap you call a road.

  • Check Tire Pressure - Cold weather causes your tire pressure to drop faster than your motivation on a Monday morning. Underinflated tires can make your car harder to handle, and overinflated ones are just as bad because they’ll lose traction. Grab a tire pressure gauge (it’s cheap, I swear) and make sure your tires match the pressure recommended in your car manual—or on that handy sticker inside your door.
  • Winter Tires Are Your Friend - If you live somewhere where snow and ice are an actual problem (looking at you, Midwest), invest in winter tires. They’re specifically designed to stay soft in freezing temps and grip slippery roads better than all-season tires. Sure, they’re an extra expense, but you’ll thank yourself the next time you stop before hitting that light pole.

Antifreeze

Your car’s cooling system works overtime in winter, but you’ve got to help it out. That’s where antifreeze (a.k.a. coolant) comes in.

The magic ratio is a 50/50 blend of antifreeze and water. Too much water, and it’ll freeze in low temps, which does absolutely nothing to help your car. If you’re not sure what’s in your system, get it checked. Most auto shops will test it for free or close to it, and swapping out old antifreeze is a cheap way to prevent major engine disasters.

Don’t Forget About Your Battery

Ever try starting a car in freezing weather only to be greeted with a sad little clicking sound? Yeah, you’ve got a battery problem. Cold weather is super hard on car batteries, draining their juice faster than you’d expect.

  • Test It Out - If your battery is more than a couple of years old, get it tested before winter really kicks in. Lots of auto parts stores will do this free, and it beats getting stuck in a parking lot after work because your battery decided to quit.
  • Keep It Clean - While you’re at it, check the battery terminals. Corrosion buildup (those gross white and blue crusty spots) can mess with the electrical connection. Clean it up with a wire brush and some baking soda mixed with water. Easy.

Prepare for Snow and Ice Like a Total Pro

Driving in snow and ice can feel like starring in your own low-budget disaster movie. A few small changes to your car can make a huge difference.

Get Snow-Grade Wipers

Normal windshield wipers are fine for the rest of the year, but winter? That’s a whole different ball game. Upgrade to winter wiper blades—they’re sturdier and designed to handle ice and snow without wimping out halfway through a storm.

Stock Up on Washer Fluid

Your windshield will look like a salty mess in no time. Make sure you’re using washer fluid rated for low temps, not the bargain-bin stuff that freezes like water in a cheap cooler. Bonus points for keeping an extra jug in the trunk.

De-Ice Like a Champ

Icy windshields are straight-up the worst. Keep a sturdy ice scraper (you know, one that won’t break immediately) and a can of de-icer spray on hand. And don’t even think about using hot water to melt the ice unless you’re into shattered glass vibes.

Keep an Emergency Kit (and Stop Pretending You’ll Never Need It)

Winter emergencies are a thing, and no one wants to be that person stranded in a snowbank calling for help while their toes go numb. Save yourself some pain and pack an emergency kit.

What You Need

At minimum, throw these in the trunk:

  • Blankets or a sleeping bag (yes, really).
  • A flashlight and extra batteries because darkness plus cold equals misery.
  • Jumper cables or a portable jump starter—dead batteries don’t wait for spring.
  • Snacks that won’t freeze (think nuts or granola bars—not candy).
  • A folding shovel because digging out your tires with your bare hands isn’t fun.
  • Sand, kitty litter, or even traction mats to help get unstuck.

Pro Tips for the Overachievers

If you’re the kind of person who likes to go above and beyond, try these extra steps:

  • Lubricate Your Door Seals with silicone spray to keep them from freezing shut. Ever yanked on a frozen door handle for 10 minutes? Not a good time.
  • Get a Block Heater if you’re in a seriously cold climate. It keeps your engine warm and makes starting your car less like waking a hibernating bear.

Winter can be brutal, but treating your car like it deserves a little TLC will make those icy months a lot less stressful. Sure, all this prep might seem like a hassle, but being caught unprepared—whether it’s with a flat tire or a frozen windshield—is worse. Take the time to give your car some winter-proofing, drive carefully, and just maybe you’ll survive until spring without needing a single call to roadside assistance. Stay safe out there!