10 Ways To Keep Your Car Running This Winter

by Shaunna Privratsky

In addition to keeping your home and your family warm, your car needs attention, too. These tips can help your car survive the winter months.

Brrr! When much of the nation is covered in ice and snow, it is important to have safe, reliable transportation. If you travel in the country, a stalled vehicle can be a life-or-death situation.

Keep your car running with these ten ways to help it survive the cold.

1. Beef up your battery.

The best defense against the cold is a good battery.

You can have your battery tested at a mechanic’s shop or use an inexpensive tester at home. If your battery comes up “weak,” put a charger on it.

Batteries generally last three to five years.

Insider Report: Finding an Honest Auto Mechanic

2. Tight is right.

Make sure the cables are tightly connected to the battery. A loose connection means the battery is not charging correctly.

3. Keep it clean.

Corrosion can clog up the posts and cables of your battery, making it weaker. A paste of baking soda and water and an old toothbrush will clean it right up. Dry everything thoroughly when done.

A shop will charge you anywhere from $15 to $30 for this, so do it yourself for some big savings.

4. Warm-ups welcome.

Adding an engine block heater can be the difference between a running car and freezing by the side of the road.

On Amazon, the heaters are less than $30, depending on the size of your car’s engine. It’s a small price to pay! Install it yourself or have your mechanic do it for peace of mind.

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5. Check belts and hoses.

The extreme cold makes them brittle, so have everything checked when you get an oil change. Replacing them before they cause an engine failure is much less expensive.

6. Fill ‘er up!

A full tank of gas is easier on your engine in the cold. It keeps the fuel from freezing and prevents the vapor from crystallizing. A good rule of thumb is to keep your tank at least half full at all times.

Related: Winter Fuel Economy Tips

7. Test your antifreeze.

Make sure the correct ratio of antifreeze to water, usually 50/50, is added to the engine. This can also be done during an oil change or check with your owner’s manual.

8. More Heet?

Adding a fuel additive like Heet® to your gas keeps the fuel lines from freezing up, but it won’t work if they are already frozen.

This is especially important if your vehicle is parked outside for extended periods of time in extreme cold.

9. Turn it off.

Before trying to start a cold car, turn off the radio, heater, and any lights. They sap energy from the battery when it’s already weakened from the cold.

10. Don’t get frozen out!

Spray door locks and door jambs with WD-40® to prevent the locks from freezing. Wipe up any excess to avoid damaging the paint.

Graphite or a de-icing spray also works. Just don’t store it inside the car.

Winter sticks around for quite a while in some areas of the country. You can stay on the road and safe with these ten tips to help your car survive the cold.

Reviewed November 2023

About the Author

Shaunna Privratsky became an expert in personal finance out of necessity. Between writing, reading and gardening, she is always on the lookout for bargains. Visit her at The Discount Diva.

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