The first frost, road salt and short days are the toughest test of the year for a car. Most winter breakdowns – a flat battery, frozen windows, rusting paint – are preventable if you prepare your car for winter in time. This checklist helps you cover everything in October and November.
1. Tyres
Many European countries require winter tyres during a fixed period or whenever there is snow or ice on the road – Slovenia, for example, from 15 November to 15 March. Check tread depth (many countries require at least 3–4 mm on winter tyres), tyre age and pressure. Details in winter tyres: when they are mandatory and what a change costs.
2. Battery
Cold reduces battery capacity, and starting a cold engine draws the most power. A battery that is four or five years old or more often fails at the first real frost. A garage can test it in a few minutes. Signs of a weak battery are slow cranking, flickering lights when starting and dashboard warnings.
3. Coolant (antifreeze)
Coolant should protect down to at least –25 °C, or lower in colder climates. A garage can measure its freezing point with a refractometer. Never top up with plain water only – diluted coolant can freeze and damage the engine.
4. Wipers and washer fluid
Replace summer washer fluid with a winter mix that does not freeze. Check the wiper blades – if they streak or squeak, replace them. Never switch on wipers that are frozen to the glass; you will damage the rubber and the motor.
5. Lights and headlights
In winter we drive more in the dark, so every light must work. Cloudy or yellowed headlights can cut road illumination dramatically. Headlight restoration is a quick, relatively inexpensive job that noticeably improves visibility.
6. Protect the paint from salt
Road salt and grime from wet roads attack paint and speed up rust, especially on sills, wheel arches and the underbody. Before winter it is worth:
- washing and decontaminating the car thoroughly,
- applying protection – wax, sealant or a ceramic coating,
- washing the car regularly in winter, including the underbody, especially after snowfall.
Wax lasts from a few weeks to a few months, a ceramic coating for several years. Salt and dirt stick less to protected paint, which makes washing easier and safer.
7. Door seals and locks
Treat the rubber door seals with silicone spray or a dedicated rubber conditioner so they do not freeze shut. Keep lock de-icer in your pocket or bag, not in the car – if the lock freezes, you will not be able to reach it.
8. Interior and misted windows
Wet shoes, snow and humidity cause misted windows and a musty smell. What helps:
- replacing fabric floor mats with rubber ones,
- using the air conditioning in winter too – it dries the air and demists faster,
- clean inside glass – condensation forms faster on dirty glass,
- a new cabin filter.
If the interior is dirty or damp, autumn is a good time for a deep clean, before damp weather makes seats slow to dry.
9. Winter kit in the boot
- ice scraper and snow brush,
- snow chains (mandatory in some countries and mountain areas),
- jump leads or a portable jump starter,
- gloves, a blanket and a torch,
- spare washer fluid.
10. Service and diagnostics
If a service is due soon, do it before winter. A mechanic will check brakes, battery, coolant and suspension. If a warning light is on, the fastest way to find the cause is a computer diagnostic scan.
The checklist at a glance
- Winter tyres with sufficient tread
- Battery test
- Antifreeze to at least –25 °C
- Winter washer fluid and new wiper blades
- Working, clear headlights
- Paint protection (wax, sealant or ceramic)
- Treated door seals
- Rubber mats and a new cabin filter
- Scraper, brush, chains and jump leads in the boot
- Service, if it is due
Find a provider near you
On Kardet you can find garages, tyre shops, car washes and detailers in one place. Send a free request and local providers will send you their offers. More on winter car care in winter car detailing.
Read also: Car Battery Failing? Signs, Testing and Replacement · Washing Your Car in Winter: How Often and Removing Salt