How to winterize your car for safe driving in Illinois winters

In Illinois, the Prairie State, the freezing temperatures during the cold months can be harsh on your vehicle, no matter what model you drive. Winterizing your car to ensure it’s ready for icy conditions, road salt, and slippery hills can prevent you from getting stranded in the cold or snow. Because cold temperatures, dirt, and road salt can impact your vehicle’s performance, you might need to do some prep work to protect it. Read on to learn about our recommendations for ways to winterize your car in Illinois.

Check Your Fluids

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Cold temperatures can make the fluids in your vehicle less efficient, reducing your vehicle’s overall performance. You can combat this by checking your fluids to ensure they’re at recommended levels. Because the cold temperatures can thicken oil, you might change to a product with lower viscosity. Just be sure to check your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Also, ensure the antifreeze is at a 50/50 ratio, because too much water will increase the fluid’s chances of freezing. The windshield wiper fluid is an often-overlooked component but an important consideration when winterizing your car, truck, or SUV. Windshield wiper fluid manufactured for winter use contains more alcohol, which reduces the risk of freezing and the likelihood that you’ll have a collection of sludgy cleaning fluid stuck to your windshield should you need to use it.

Although gasoline doesn’t typically freeze in the cold, take extra precautions by keeping your tank full in winter. A full tank of gas will prevent condensation from building up in the fuel system and freezing. When condensation freezes, fuel struggles to get to the fuel line, carburetor, or cylinders.

Test the Battery

The battery is an essential component of a properly running automobile, so monitor it regularly, particularly during winter. In cold temperatures, batteries — especially older ones — struggle to deliver sufficient current. A battery’s life span is typically between three and five years, but a battery that keeps its charge and works in warm temperatures should also perform well in the cold. Ensure the terminals are free of corrosion and the spark plugs are in good condition.

When possible, park your vehicle in a garage, under a carport, near a warm building, or under a tree to provide extra shelter and heat to protect the battery. These small steps can help you avoid being stuck in the cold with a damaged battery and a car that won’t start.

An extra precaution to take to ensure you won’t be left out in the cold with a bad battery is to carry with you a portable power station and jump-starter. These are economical options to help you give your battery a quick charge in the cold or fill a low tire with air to get you safely home.

Update Your Windshield Wipers

Most windshield wipers consist primarily of rubber and plastic, which are materials that can break, tear, and become brittle in the cold. Check your blades for wear, and if you see the start of a tear or dry-rotted material, replace them. Elements such as dust, wind, sunlight, and rain can wreak havoc on thin windshield wiper blades. When you add the brisk temperatures of winter, wiper blades are likely to suffer. Ensure you have a strong windshield scraper to remove winter sludge and snow from your window before driving anywhere. Avoid the temptation to use your windshield wiper blades to clear snow and ice, which can be damaging.

When cleaning your windows in winter, avoid using hot water on the windshield, as it can cause frozen glass to crack or break. Instead, opt for an alcohol-based spray. The alcohol effectively melts the ice and cleans sludge off your window, helping you see safely, even in poor weather conditions. If you can’t find an alcohol-based product, simple rubbing alcohol will clean your windshield and other windows safely. A clean line of sight can help keep you safe on the road and ensure that you can react quickly to road hazards or out-of-control vehicles.

Check the Tire Pressure

Cold temperatures compress the air, including that in your tires. Because tires with appropriate pressure work better, you want to ensure that your tires meet the manufacturer-recommended pressure to be as safe as possible when on the road and in icy conditions. Tire pressure is crucial to braking, maneuvering, and overall stability.

Depending on your typical driving conditions and distance, you might want to invest in winter tires. Their unique tread, grip, and material can help you handle your vehicle better in snowy and icy conditions.

Protect the Undercarriage

Another consideration when winterizing your vehicle for cold Illinois weather is the undercarriage, which houses crucial components for your vehicle. Because it’s exposed to the road, dirt, salt, heat, wind, and water, the undercarriage is prone to rust. Road salt on icy winter roads, in particular, can cause corrosion. Take steps to keep your car clean in the winter to reduce the time that road salt sticks to the undercarriage. Cleaning off rust and sealing exposed areas with a protective coat can help you prolong the life of your vehicle and remain safe in the cold.

Check the Belts and Hoses

Cold temperatures can weaken the materials used to make your vehicle’s belts and hoses. It can also cause them to dry out, crack, or stretch. Check belts and hoses for signs of wear, such as cracks and fissures, and replace them if necessary. Preventing a broken belt while driving can save you hundreds in tow truck and repair services.

So there you have it: Ike Honda’s steps you can take to extend the life of your vehicle and ensure it runs properly during those cold months. Maintaining your vehicle can improve your safety and keep your vehicle running smoothly, no matter the temperature. Not much for DIY car winterizing? Schedule service at our Honda dealership, and we’ll prepare your vehicle for winter. What do you think of our tips for winterizing your car in Illinois? Did we miss something you do each year? Let us know! Leave a message, and we’ll add your tips to our list.