Winter Car Maintenance Tips to Avoid Breakdowns

Winter is brutal on cars. Cold temperatures, road salt, ice, and snow create the perfect storm for breakdowns. As towing professionals, we see the aftermath every winter: dead batteries, frozen fuel lines, and stranded drivers. The good news? Most winter breakdowns are preventable with proper maintenance.

Start With Your Battery

Your battery is the number one cause of winter breakdowns. Cold weather slows the chemical reactions inside batteries, reducing their power output by up to 50% at 0°F. Meanwhile, your engine needs nearly twice the power to start in freezing temperatures.

If your battery is more than three years old, have it tested before winter hits. Most auto parts stores will test it for free. Look for corrosion on the terminals—that white or blue-green crusty stuff reduces the electrical connection. Clean it with a wire brush and a mixture of baking soda and water.

Check the battery cables too. They should be tight and free of cracks. A loose cable connection can prevent your car from starting just as surely as a dead battery. If your battery is weak or showing signs of failure, replace it now. Getting stranded in freezing weather isn't worth saving $150.

Don't Ignore Your Cooling System

It sounds backwards, but your cooling system is critical in winter. Coolant (antifreeze) prevents your engine from freezing solid when temperatures drop below 32°F. A frozen engine block can crack, requiring a complete engine replacement.

Check your coolant level and condition. It should be filled to the proper line and look clean—not rusty or murky. Have the freezing point tested with a hydrometer. Your coolant should protect down to at least -30°F, even if your area doesn't get that cold. Better safe than sorry.

Inspect all hoses and clamps. Cold makes rubber brittle, and a split hose will dump your coolant in minutes. Squeeze the hoses—they should feel firm but pliable, not hard or squishy. If they're cracked, bulging, or soft, replace them. And check your radiator cap; a bad cap can cause overheating even in cold weather.

Get Serious About Your Tires

Tires lose about 1 PSI of pressure for every 10-degree drop in temperature. Underinflated tires reduce traction, hurt fuel economy, and wear unevenly. More importantly, they're dangerous on ice and snow.

Check your tire pressure weekly in winter, and always when the tires are cold. The correct pressure is listed on a sticker inside your driver's door, not on the tire sidewall—that's the maximum pressure, not the recommended pressure.

Inspect your tread depth. Stick a quarter upside down into the tread grooves. If you can see the top of Washington's head, your tires are too worn for safe winter driving. All-season tires are fine for mild winters, but if you deal with heavy snow and ice, dedicated winter tires make a massive difference in traction and stopping distance.

Don't forget to check your spare tire. It needs proper inflation too. Getting a flat in winter is bad enough without discovering your spare is also flat. And make sure your jack and lug wrench are in good condition and that you know how to use them.

Keep Your Fuel Tank Full

Running on fumes is never smart, but it's especially problematic in winter. A low fuel level allows moisture to accumulate in your tank, and that moisture can freeze in the fuel lines, preventing your engine from getting gas.

Keep your tank at least half full throughout winter. This reduces condensation and ensures you have fuel if you get stuck or stranded. If you're caught in a winter storm, that gas could keep you warm for hours while you wait for help. Many of the drivers we tow in winter ran out of gas because they thought they could make it—and they couldn't.

Consider using a fuel additive designed for winter. These products help prevent fuel line freeze and improve cold-weather starting. They're cheap insurance against a preventable breakdown.

Visibility Can Save Your Life

You can't avoid hazards you can't see. Winter driving demands perfect visibility, but cold weather attacks every part of your vision system. Replace worn wiper blades before winter starts. Winter blades have a rubber boot that prevents ice buildup and work much better in snow.

Use winter windshield washer fluid rated to at least -20°F. Summer fluid will freeze in the lines and leave you blind in traffic. Top off your washer reservoir completely and keep an extra jug in your trunk.

Check all your lights—headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals. They're harder to see in snow and rain, and you need every advantage. If your headlights are cloudy or yellowed, restore them or replace them. Being seen is just as important as seeing.

Don't forget to clear snow and ice from all windows, mirrors, lights, and your roof before driving. Driving with limited visibility is dangerous and illegal in most places. And that chunk of ice that flies off your roof at highway speed? It can go through someone's windshield.

Check Your Oil and Other Fluids

Oil thickens in cold weather, making it harder for your engine to turn over and reducing lubrication during those critical first few seconds. If you live in an area with harsh winters, consider switching to a lower-viscosity oil. Your owner's manual will specify the right grade for cold weather.

Check your transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and brake fluid levels. These should all be topped off and in good condition. If any fluid looks dark or contaminated, have it changed. Winter is hard enough without adding fluid-related problems.

If you have an older car with a carburetor, make sure it's properly tuned. Modern fuel-injected engines handle cold much better, but they still benefit from fresh spark plugs, clean air filters, and proper maintenance. A well-maintained engine starts easier and runs better in any weather.

Prepare an Emergency Kit

Even with perfect maintenance, breakdowns happen. Winter emergency kits can mean the difference between inconvenience and tragedy. At minimum, keep these items in your trunk: a warm blanket, flashlight with extra batteries, first aid kit, ice scraper, small shovel, and jumper cables.

Add some non-perishable snacks and bottled water. Pack road flares or reflective triangles to make your car visible if you're stuck on the roadside. Include a bag of sand or cat litter for traction if you're stuck in snow. A portable phone charger can be a lifesaver if your battery dies while you're stranded.

Keep an extra set of warm clothes, gloves, and a hat in the car. Hypothermia kills, and it doesn't take long in a cold car. If you break down in a remote area or during a storm, these supplies could keep you alive while you wait for a professional towing service to reach you.

Know When to Call for Help

Despite your best efforts, winter can still throw you a curveball. Your car might not start, you could slide into a ditch, or something might break at the worst possible time. Knowing when to call for professional help is part of winter preparedness.

If your car won't start and jumping it doesn't work, don't keep trying. You could damage the starter or electrical system. If you're stuck in snow and spinning your wheels, you're just digging deeper. If you smell something burning, see smoke, or hear strange noises, shut off the engine and call for a tow.

Save the number of a reliable 24/7 towing service in your phone before you need it. Check if your insurance includes roadside assistance—many policies do. AAA and other motor clubs are worth considering if you drive frequently in winter weather.

An Ounce of Prevention

Winter maintenance isn't glamorous, but it works. A few hours and a couple hundred dollars spent now will save you from a breakdown that costs far more in money, time, and stress. Every winter, we tow hundreds of cars that could have avoided their problems with basic maintenance.

Make a checklist and work through it before the first freeze. Start with the battery, then move through the cooling system, tires, fluids, and visibility equipment. If you're not comfortable doing the work yourself, any mechanic can handle a winter check-up for a reasonable price.

Your car is designed to work in cold weather, but it needs your help. Give it the maintenance it deserves, pack an emergency kit, and drive carefully. Winter driving doesn't have to mean winter breakdowns. Stay proactive, stay prepared, and stay safe out there.