How to winterize your car ahead of freezing weather

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – You might not be a fan of winter weather, and your car isn’t either. Automotive experts say winterizing your car could keep you safe on the road; and your wallet safe from costly repairs.

“Check your battery, check your tires, and just make sure that your overall vehicle is running,” Daniel Armbruster with AAA Texas said.

According to Armbruster, a majority of AAA’s winter roadside calls are for either dead batteries or flat tires; many of which are preventable.

“I know we’re looking at a potential cold situation next week, so now is the time to get that done,” Paul Ward, general manager of Asher Automotive, said.

Something people often miss in their winter preparations is checking their cars’ fluid levels, Ward said. It’s important to make sure you’re using the right fluids for the outside temperature.

“Down here, zero degrees should be fine. The one you use in the summer will usually freeze under 32 degrees, so you don’t want this freezing in there,” he added.

Staying up to date on winter maintenance could even help you avoid more costly repairs down the line.

“Water freezes inside your engine and stays there for too long, it can cause the block to crack, it can cause freeze plugs to blow out, it can cause major engine damage, major cooling system damage,” Ward said.

Preparing your car for winter weather takes place off the road, to keep you safe while you’re on it.

According to Ward, low visibility and poor traction account for many winter crashes.

“There’s been too many accidents and injuries when people stuck on the side of the road and they get impacted by another driver because they can’t see them,” he said.

Lowering the risk of accidents during winter weather can be as simple as taking your foot off the gas.

“A lot of the crashes we see during winter storms when you have winter precipitation are due to speeding,” Armbruster said.

If you are caught in a roadside emergency, keeping a winter supply kit in your car can make a difference. For a basic kit, AAA recommends including: coats or blankets, a first aid kit, flashlight, jumper cables, drinking water, and cat litter. These items can help keep you warm and safe, and the cat litter serves an unexpected purpose.

“It’s not a bad idea to have tractionates like kitty litter or some sort of mat traction, mat that can help you if you get in a situation where it’s slippery,” he added.

Armbruster said a common misconception during freezes is that cars can be defrosted with hot water. Not only is this not true, he said, it can cost thousands to repair.

”There’s videos on YouTube throwing hot water on your car. That can damage your windshield, and today’s windshields are very expensive,” he said.