How To: Maintain Car in Winter - PartSource: Automotive, Truck Parts & Accessories

How To Maintain Car in Winter

Cold temperatures bring rough roads, poor visibility, and a host of potential problems for your car. Good thing the experts at PartSource have created an easy to follow list of tips to make sure your vehicle runs smoothly in the face of falling temperatures and snow. We’ve even thought about how to keep you warm and safe this winter!

Remember, if you have any questions or if you're unsure of anything, feel free to contact the Parts Pros at your local PartSource. They’ll always ready to help, no matter what the job is.

Let’s go!

Make Safety Your Top Priority

Every vehicle is different. When it comes to maintenance and repairs, always follow the vehicle's owner's manual.

Safety should be your number one priority. Don't smoke, drink alcoholic beverages, or wear a necktie while working on the car. Watch out for hot objects, sharp instruments, hazardous materials and other potential safety hazards in and around your workspace.

Don't work with a Philips when the job calls for a flat. Substituting tools can compromise your safety or your vehicle's performance.

Finally, when the fun turns to frustration, or if the job requires specialized knowledge beyond your capabilities, please do not attempt it yourself. Talk to a Parts Pro or seek the assistance of a professional mechanic or installer. The last thing we want is someone getting hurt.

Before Getting Started

Always use safety and common sense any time you work on your vehicle.

IMPORTANT - Disconnect the negative battery cable before you begin any work on your vehicle.

See your local PartSource for free print outs of vehicle specific instructions and torque specifications from Mitchell onDemand.

Follow advice tips below for safer and warmer winter driving.


Check The Condition Of Your Radiator Antifreeze

Antifreeze should be changed periodically, just like engine oil. Over time it loses its ability to dissipate heat in order to prevent freezing at low temperatures. And then it can become corrosive to your water pump, hoses and engine block.
Regular antifreeze (usually green colour) should be changed every 2 years. Extended life antifreeze (usually orange or pink colour) should be changed every 5 years.
If you’re not sure of the condition or age of your antifreeze, you should test it with an antifreeze tester. This will tell you the ratio of water to antifreeze. If you’ve got too much water, your fluid could freeze inside the engine block and heads. Fluid expands when it freezes – even to the point of cracking your engine. That’s one costly repair you want to avoid. Also be aware that too much antifreeze means you’ll lose the heat dissipation that water provides. This could overheat your engine and cause another costly repair. Most cars require a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze, but check with your vehicle’s owners manual to be sure. If you need to change the antifreeze, be sure to flush the cooling system as well. You can find cooling system flush instructions in our Job of the Month archives. Coolant System Flush & Water Pump

Change Your Thermostat

Periodically changing your thermostat can help avoid a number of problems. But when it comes to winter, the main concern is heat. A thermostat that sticks closed will reduce coolant flow, preventing heat from being blown into the cabin of the car. It will also cause the engine to overheat. On the other hand, a thermostat that sticks open will always let coolant flow. This reduces the amount of heat in the cabin because the engine never receives the proper operating temperature. So think about changing it for the winter season.
To change your thermostat, follow your upper radiator hose to the engine. On most cars, this hose connects to the thermostat housing.
Undo the bolts holding the housing down, and then remove the old thermostat.
IMPORTANT - Be sure to use proper torque settings on all bolts.
Clean off all gasket surfaces, and replace any blown gaskets.
Install the new thermostat, and reinstall the thermostat housing.

Switch Your Oil

Consider using a thinner oil for winter months, such as 5W30 instead of 10W30. Thinner oil is easier for your oil pump to pump through the engine on the cold winter mornings. Or you can switch to a synthetic oil. It offers better flowing properties in extreme cold and heat. You should also do the same for your drivetrain differentials.
At the very least, you should change your oil before the first snowfall hits. Nobody likes to change oil while lying in the snow.

Pick Up A Lock De-Icer

And when you do, make sure you use it before the freezing temperatures hit. This will keep your locks from freezing in the first place.
IMPORTANT - A lock de-icer doesn’t do you any good if it’s in the car and your locks are frozen. Keep one bottle in the house, and another at the office.

Switch To Winter Windshield Washer Fluid

Like your lock de-icer, you should switch your washer fluid to the winter solution before the freezing temperatures come. Frozen washer fluid will crack your washer fluid container the same way frozen antifreeze can crack an engine block.
We recommend using Rain X De-Icer winter washer fluid. It helps prevent ice, snow and wipers from sticking to your windshield, and helps you save you time out in the cold.

Check If You Need New Wiper Blades

Wiper blades are one of those things you don't think about until it's too late. Take a quick look the next time you're getting into your car. Are they worn out, chattering, or separating? If so, consider getting a new set of winter wiper blades, or premium all season blades.
IMPORTANT - Do not turn on your wipers when they're frozen to the windshield. This can cause more damage.

Use Gas Line Antifreeze Or Diesel Anti-Gel

By using gas line antifreeze, you can avoid frozen fuel lines and trouble starting your car. These problems often occur on days with temperature swings (warmer days, freezing nights). Days like this cause condensation in your fuel tank, and the resulting water in your lines then freezes. Gas line antifreeze helps the water and fuel mix together to avoid freezing. Diesel anti-gel is an additive for diesel powered cars and trucks that helps keep the fuel from "gelling" as the temperature drops.

How to Handle Frozen Doors And Windows

Frozen out? Spray the rubber around your doors and windows with a silicone based spray, and you can avoid being stuck out in the cold.

Use Your Block Heater

A block heater is a heating element that often sits on the side of your engine block and heats the antifreeze. Some magnetically stick the antifreeze to the side of the oil pan or engine block to heat it, or they circulate heated antifreeze through the engine when it isn't running. All help ensure your car starts with heat at the ready. (Most original equipment models are the type that sit on the side of the engine block and heat the antifreeze.) To use your block heater, just plug it in at home or at work. Then you'll have instant heat the next time you start up.
IMPORTANT - Remember to unplug the extension cord before driving away.

Then Heat The Cabin Of Your Car As Well!

A heater for the inside of your car may be just what you need on those cold mornings. Imagine not having to scrape windows, and never grabbing a cold steering wheel or enduring a frozen seat. These heaters come in different models. You can opt for a 12V cigarette lighter version, or choose one that runs on household current and plugs in with an extension cord. Either way, you'll be feeling the heat.

Check Your Battery

Your battery may seem okay now, but you could be stuck looking for a boost after that first big freeze. Why not bring your car into your local PartSource for a free battery and charging system test? Remember that a battery’s cranking amperage gets lower as it gets colder. That’s why most automotive batteries will have a CA (cranking amps) rating, as well as a CCA (cold cranking amps) rating. The CCA is what to look for when buying a new battery for any vehicle that’s winter driven.
A battery warmer or blanket is a great idea in extremely cold climates.

Prepare For Any Emergency

With slippery roads, white out conditions, and extreme temperatures, you never know what emergency might arise. Always be prepared with an on-board emergency kit that includes candles, matches (to light the candles), a blanket, roadside flares, a shovel, kitty litter (for tire traction), a flashlight (with batteries), and booster cables. These are the essentials, but feel free to add your own personal items.
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