Winterizing Your Vehicle: Where to Start
1. Tires: Your First Line of Defense
If there鈥檚 one thing you don鈥檛 want to ignore before winter, it鈥檚 your tires.
What to check:
- Tread depth: Use a tread depth gauge or the classic penny test. Adequate tread helps maintain traction on snow and ice.
- Wear patterns: Uneven wear may indicate alignment or suspension issues.
- Matching tires: Modern vehicles are highly sensitive to tire size, brand, and tread differences.
Today鈥檚 vehicles rely on advanced systems like traction control, stability control, and wheel speed sensors. If tire sizes or tread depths don鈥檛 match, your vehicle鈥檚 systems can become confused鈥攕ometimes triggering warning lights or unpredictable handling.
Winter tires vs. all-season tires:
- Winter tires perform best in cold and snow.
- They can be used year-round but will wear faster in warm weather.
- Vehicles with sport packages (low-profile, wide tires) often benefit most from dedicated winter tires.
When in doubt, consult a reputable shop and consider getting a second opinion for major tire decisions.
2. Battery: Cold Weather鈥檚 Silent Victim
Cold temperatures slow down chemical reactions鈥攊ncluding the ones inside your battery.
Key guidelines:
- Most batteries last about five years (though this varies).
- Have your battery tested before extreme cold sets in.
- Electronic testers compensate for temperature, but technician expertise matters.
If your battery is near the five-year mark, testing it proactively could prevent a winter breakdown. And remember鈥攂eing stranded in July is inconvenient. Being stranded in January can be dangerous.
3. Wiper Blades & Washer Fluid
Snow and salt reduce visibility quickly.
Check for:
- Torn or cracked wiper blades
- Streaking or poor windshield cleaning
- Proper winter-grade washer fluid
Washer fluid today already contains alcohol to prevent freezing. Some drivers add isopropyl alcohol-based products to increase freeze resistance鈥攂ut be aware that higher concentrations can be harder on wiper blades.
4. Brakes: Pay Attention to Pedal Feel
Winter road salt can accelerate rust, particularly on brake components.
Watch for:
- Pulsating brake pedal
- Vehicle pulling to one side
- Low or soft pedal feel
- Reduced fuel economy (a sign brakes may be sticking)
Brakes don鈥檛 require special 鈥渨inter鈥 treatment, but they do need proper inspection and maintenance. If something feels different, have it checked.
5. Keep Your Gas Tank at Least Half Full
This simple habit can make a major difference.
Reasons to maintain at least a half tank:
- Reduces moisture buildup inside the tank
- Ensures you have fuel (and heat) if stranded
- Helps in case your vehicle is stuck at an angle in a ditch
If you slide off the road during bad weather, having fuel for heat can be critical while waiting for assistance.
6. Build a Winter Emergency Kit
In Wisconsin, preparation is everything.
Make sure you have:
- Ice scraper and snow brush
- Small shovel
- Blanket
- Tow strap (if you鈥檙e comfortable using one safely)
- 鈥淏ucket of unstuck鈥 (rock salt, gravel or traction material)
A small candle can even provide heat in emergency situations鈥攖hough safety should always come first.
7. Car Washes & Salt: Myth vs. Reality
Road salt is unavoidable. While underbody washes may help somewhat, they鈥檙e not a magic solution.
Important considerations:
- Avoid car washes when temperatures are below freezing.
- Frozen doors, seals and handles can cause damage.
- Many car washes close in extreme cold for a reason.
If you do wash your vehicle in winter, ensure it has time to dry鈥攅specially if you don鈥檛 have a heated garage.
Learn to Keep Vehicles Running鈥擡ven in Wisconsin Winters
Across the board, the biggest takeaway from 91看片网鈥檚 automotive instructors is simple鈥攕tick to preventative maintenance.
Students in the Automotive Maintenance Technician program at 91看片网 learn these fundamentals from day one. They gain hands-on experience diagnosing real-world issues, understanding modern vehicle technology and helping customers make informed decisions.
If you鈥檙e interested in turning your passion for vehicles into a career, explore the Automotive Maintenance Technician program and start building the skills that keep Wisconsin moving all year long.
