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Your car's paint, tires, glass, plastic and other surfaces will be at the mercy of the elements.






You wouldn't dream of facing winter's ice, snow and sleet without a coat, gloves and other cold-weather gear, would you? Your car deserves the same level of protection. This chapter is designed to help you prepare your car to make it through a cold, wet winter season and a long, hot summer.

WINTER CARE
Your car is in for a tough time this winter. Your car's paint, tires, glass, plastic and other surfaces will be at the mercy of the elements, including wind, rain, sleet, snow, sand, gravel, cinders, salt and road oil. Fall is your best opportunity to inspect and prepare your car with a protective layer, giving your car a fighting chance. Your car's paint, tires, leather and rubber trim all need touching up in the fall, even if you have cared for them all summer.

Seal the Paint
If your car will be exposed to extreme winter conditions, the best protective coating is a good synthetic wax. Unlike carnauba waxes, a synthetic wax provides a modest amount of protection against water and road salts. The product I trust to hold up to winter's worst is Klasse.

Your car is more likely to be scratched during winter due to all of the potential debris on the road. As moisture penetrates deep scratches and chips in your car's paint and repeatedly freezes and thaws, it weakens and eventually cracks the surrounding paint. This allows oxidation to rapidly set in. A quick and easy way to reduce oxidation caused by winter road damage is to wash your car as often as possible, and inspect for paint chips and scratches. When you find new paint chips, seal them with your synthetic wax.
Treat the Interior
Winter is also hard on leather interiors. Cold, dry air pulls the moisture from leather, so it's important to treat leather prior to the onset of freezing temperatures. Once the daytime temperature dips below 50 degrees (Fahrenheit), the leather will not accept conditioners. Although the surface will look good, you have not provided moisture to the hide.


Protect the Tires
Your car's tires have a tough job in the winter, too. Liberal use of a high-quality tire dressing keeps them looking good during the harshest weather, and provides a barrier to the elements and to the ozone that can cause rubber to deteriorate. Tire gels are a good solution in winter, as they seem to last longer.
If you live in a region that gets snow and ice, another easy tip for winter car protection is to spray tire dressing in the wheel wells to prevent buildup of snow, ice and road salt.Any inexpensive silicone spray dressing will do. Although not recommended for your exterior painted surfaces (it makes body shop repairs difficult), silicone is an excellent protectant for your engine, wheel wells, and the underside of your car. It's best to start this practice before the really cold weather hits.
Care for Delicate Wheels
If your car has expensive, delicate wheels, think about removing each wheel for winter preparation. Delicate wheels should be cleaned, inspected and sealed. Clean each wheel, front and back, with an extra-strength gel wheel cleaner. Scrub the tires thoroughly, too. Dry the wheels with a clean terry cloth towel. Protect with a high-quality paste wax or acrylic sealant. Complete the job by treating the tires (front and back) with a liberal application of tire dressing. Allow the tire dressing to soak in for 5 to 10 minutes before wiping off the excess.
Don't Forget the Trim
Other parts of your car's exterior, such as the bumpers, trim and rubber door seals, need extra protection when the mercury drops, too. These materials are affected by extreme temperatures and the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV radiation causes fading, hardening and cracking, especially in the winter with a reduced ozone layer.When properly maintained, door and trunk seals will maintain their shape and elasticity longer, providing a better seal.
Roadster & Convertible Tops
If you drive a roadster in cold winter weather, now is the time to clean and protect your top. If water penetrates your top and then freezes, your top will be prone to severe damage. Protect your top before the first freeze.
Wiper Blades & Fluid
Don't forget to inspect your windshield wipers. Replace them if there's any sign of wear. Remember, you're going to be counting on your wipers to deal with the elements. While you're at it, check your wash fluid and add a good wash booster. A good wash booster will help cut through road salt, road grime and mud so you can see.
Don't Be Caught with a Dead Battery
If your car is more than 6 years old, think about replacing the battery. Every January or February there comes an especially brutal subzero morning that drains the last bit of power from weak car batteries. Even if your battery is relatively new, you should inspect it before winter arrives. Make certain the terminals and posts are free of corrosion (clean with baking soda and water), lubricated and tight.
Change Your Antifreeze & Oil
Have the cooling system checked for the correct concentration and level of antifreeze. If your vehicle needs additional antifreeze, follow the manufacturer's recommendation for the ratio of water to antifreeze. If your antifreeze is more than 2 years old, it should be flushed and refilled.

Changing your car's oil and filter is the best way to prolong engine life. If you live in a harsh winter climate, late fall is the best time to change your oil to be ready for winter. Most manufacturers recommend an oil change every 5,000 to 15,000miles or once a year, whichever comes first. Your oil service interval will depend on the age and manufacturer of your car.
Cold Start Problems
If your car starts reluctantly or stalls in warm weather, the problem will only worsen when the mercury plummets. Get it checked now, and have the PVC, fuel and air filters replaced if necessary. Don't wait until you're out in the cold!
Check Your Tires for Wear
Worn tires won't give you the traction you need on wet, icy roads. If your tires are worn, replace them with a good set of all-weather radials. For extra grab in the snow, get a pair of snow tires. If you live in a rural area, you may want to keep a set of tire chains in your trunk.
Snow tires should always be used in complete sets of four. I know that it's common practice to place just one pair on the drive wheels, but this is a recipe for disaster, especially on front-wheel-drive vehicles. If the tires with the most grip are placed on the front, the rear will be more likely to lock up during braking