The Ultimate Winter Car Care Checklist
Are you ready for Maryland winter? Is your car? Skip the breakdowns this year and prepare for winter ice and snow with our ultimate winter car care checklist.
We cover everything from tire pressure and battery life to common reasons your car won’t start in cold weather. The winter storms in Maryland are no joke. We are here to help you avoid winter breakdowns and keep your car running smoothly, out of fall and into spring.
Read on to get all the details you need for winter car care 2025.
How to Prep My Car for Winter
Battery Test
First things first: cold weather is a common reason why cars won’t start in the winter, and the reason is the battery.
If you don’t have access to parking your car away from freezing temps, like in a garage, you’re going to want to do a battery test this fall to prepare for winter. If your battery is old, has issues, or isn’t responding, it’s highly recommended to get a new battery installation before winter.
Windshield Wipers (+ Winter Fluid)
Check your windshield wipers before the snow and ice hit. Windshield wipers that only perform so-so in the rain will worsen in the ice and snow.
A new windshield wiper replacement is an easy way to make sure you’ll have visibility all winter long. Plus, now is the perfect time to swap out your old windshield wiper fluid for a winter-safe mixture that won’t freeze in Maryland’s coldest temperatures.
Get more tips on dealing with winter’s freezing temperatures.
Antifreeze Top-Off
We talk about topping off all of your fluids later, but you definitely want to check and top off your antifreeze at the first sign of freezing temperatures. In fact, you should be checking your antifreeze before fall is over and winter officially begins.
Antifreeze stops your car from overheating in the summer but also stops your engine from freezing in the winter. This is a critical fluid that ensures your engine is running safely and efficiently at all times.
Windshield Protection
Even when there isn’t active snow and ice, condensation from Maryland’s high humidity will get on your windshield and freeze overnight. At best, this causes a minor delay when leaving for work in the morning, but at worst can severely hinder your visibility.
To prevent freezing ice on your windshield, invest in a windshield protection solution, like Rain-X. These solutions help stop water from beading and freezing on your windshield, so you have improved visibility to get on the road faster and safer.
Tire Prep
Every winter, people Google “what should my tire pressure be in winter?” The truth is, your tire pressure shouldn’t fluctuate much between summer and winter. You always want to keep your tire pressure at the recommended manufacturer setting.
In addition to checking tire pressure and making a note to check your tire pressure weekly, because the cold weather will cause it to decrease, you want to check your tire tread. Tread is especially important for winter care prep in Maryland, due to the snow and salt that gets put on the road. If needed, ask your local auto shop about winter tires for safer winter weather driving.
Headlights & Fog lights
Visibility decreases in winter, due to shorter days, more fog, and denser weather. Now is the time to do car winter prep on your headlights.
We recommended cleaning your headlights, which will remove built-up grime and make them brighter, improving your visibility. You also want to check all of your lights, including your fog lights. Have a friend help by turning on each light while you circle the car and confirm all are operating.
Brake Checks
Winter and icy roads are no time to discover your brakes need replaced. This is why our ultimate winter car prep checklist includes visiting your local auto shop for brake service.
A professional mechanic can check your brakes, brake pads, brake lines, and brake fluids before you’re driving on hazardous roads. This simple tune-up can help prevent accidents and provide a safer ride, no matter what you’re up against this season.
Top Off Fluids & Oil Change
As part of your tune-up to check your brakes, now is also a great time to discuss fluid top-off and an oil change.
Checking your fluids before winter can help reduce the risk of your lines freezing in low temperatures and causing major engine breakdowns. Your local auto shop can recommend exactly what your car needs and take care of an oil change for smoother operation.
Heater Check
While you’re completing an oil change and a brake check, ask about a heater check.
A functioning car heater in winter is not just about your comfort. A working car heater helps keep the engine from freezing and protects important engine parts. If your heater isn’t working right, this could be a sign of a larger problem. Plus, no heat in a car in winter can be dangerous if stranded or stuck in traffic. Never forget car heater repairs during car winter prep.
Emergency Kit
Finally, always prepare for the worst, just in case. When was the last time you checked your car’s emergency kit?
A winter emergency kit for your car or truck should have more than flares, jumper cables, and a jack to replace a spare tire. You want to add warm blankets, flashlights, hand warmers, and emergency rations of granola. These small items not only protect your car, but help protect you and your passengers in case you need to wait for help in freezing weather.
Schedule Winter Car Prep Service Today
Ready to prep your car for winter? Our mechanics at Lisbon Auto Center are ready to help! Call today for tire services, oil changes, fluid top-offs, brake checks, and more. Our complete auto repair services include everything you need, so let’s get you in and ready for winter.
