Winter car prep checklist for Central PA

1. Test the battery

Cold weather is the number one battery killer. A battery loses a big share of its cranking power as temperatures drop, while a cold engine takes more power to turn over. A battery that started fine all summer can quit on the first frosty morning.

Most car batteries last around three to five years. If yours is in that range, have it load-tested before winter. It only takes a few minutes and tells you whether it has enough reserve left. Also check that the terminals are clean and tight. See our battery service.

2. Look hard at your tires

Tread depth is what grips slush and snow. The penny test works: put a penny in the tread with Lincoln’s head down. If you can see the top of his head, the tread is too shallow for winter. Tires that are fine on dry roads can be dangerous on ice and slush.

Cold air also lowers tire pressure, roughly one PSI for every ten degrees of temperature drop. Check pressure once a month when the tires are cold and set it to the number on the driver’s door jamb, not the number on the tire. If you drive a lot of rural roads or leave before the plows, consider dedicated winter tires. We can help with tires and rotation.

3. Coolant and antifreeze

Coolant keeps the engine from freezing and cracking, and it keeps your heater working. We can test the freeze protection in seconds. If it is weak, old or looks rusty, a coolant service is cheap insurance. Also look at hoses for cracks or soft spots; cold makes rubber brittle.

4. Wipers, washer fluid and lights

Salt spray from the car ahead will blind you in seconds if your wipers streak. Replace blades that chatter or leave lines, and fill the reservoir with winter-rated washer fluid that will not freeze. Summer fluid can freeze in the lines and on the glass.

Walk around the car and make sure every light works, including brake lights and turn signals. Short winter days mean you drive in the dark more. Cloudy, yellow headlights cut your night vision; headlight restoration can bring them back.

5. Brakes

Slippery roads are the worst time to find out your brakes are weak. If you hear squealing or grinding, feel a pulsing pedal, or the car pulls to one side, have the brakes inspected before the snow flies. Salt also eats away at brake lines, so an underbody look is worth it on older vehicles.

6. Heat and defrost

If the heater blows lukewarm, the defroster is slow, or the windows fog up and will not clear, get it checked. Weak heat can mean low coolant, a stuck thermostat or a clogged heater core, and a fogged windshield is a safety problem. The A/C also helps dry the air on defrost, so make sure it works too. See A/C and heating repair.

7. Protect the underbody from salt

PennDOT and local crews put down a lot of salt and brine. It sticks to the underside of your car and slowly eats brake lines, fuel lines, exhaust and frame. Wash the car regularly through the winter, especially the underbody, and get a thorough exterior detail in the fall so paint has protection going into the season. Floor mats that trap slush help protect the carpet.

8. Pack a winter kit

• Ice scraper and snow brush
• Warm blanket, gloves and a hat
• Phone charger
• Flashlight
• Jumper cables or a portable jump pack
• Small shovel and a bag of sand or cat litter for traction
• Water and a few snacks

Get it all checked at once

Bring the car in for a winter check with your next oil change and we will go over the battery, tires, coolant, brakes, wipers and lights in one visit. Book a time before the first cold snap, when everyone else calls at once.