I’m a Car Expert: 5 Ways To Winter-Proof Your Car and Save Thousands
Written by
Laura Bogart
Edited by
Kristen Mae
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You’d like to keep your car running smoothly for as long as possible. Sure, you may be emotionally attached to your chrome chariot — but more than that, you’d rather not deal with the expense of constant repairs or an early replacement. The urgency around maintaining your car feels even more intense in the winter, when frigid conditions can cause serious — and costly — damage if you’re not prepared.
However, if you proactively winter-proof your car, you can avoid a lot of pricey repairs and ensure a smooth ride for your budget. If anyone knows how to do that effectively, it’s Ford A. Smith, founder and CEO of A1 Xpress, a family-owned courier and trucking company that keeps vehicles on the road year-round in tough conditions.
GOBankingRates connected with Smith to get his expert tips for winter-proofing your car — and his estimates on how much money these moves can save you.
1. Change Your Engine Oil
Cold temps wreak havoc on more than your mood; they can also cause trouble for your engine. Cold weather can thicken oil — especially old or degraded oil — which can slow the distribution of lubricant through the engine.
As Smith explains it, critical components can run with little to no lubrication during those first few seconds. But as those seconds add up, the repeated strain can lead to repairs or replacements costing thousands of dollars — Smith estimates $2,500 to $4,000 in potential damage.
“This is why changing oil before winter, especially if it’s overdue, is really important,” Smith said. “Fresh oil flows more smoothly, and having the correct viscosity for cold weather helps it stay fluid when temperatures are low. Many vehicles are designed to run on lighter winter-rated oils, such as 0W or 5W, because those oils circulate faster during cold starts and reduce metal-to-metal wear.”
2. Get a Trickle Charger if Your Car Sits Idle
Car batteries don’t like cold weather. They also don’t like being idle. Winter combines both issues.
“Cold weather reduces how much usable power a battery can deliver, while at the same time the engine needs more effort to turn over,” Smith said. “Add thicker oil, cold metal and heaters pulling power, and your healthy battery suddenly doesn’t have enough left to do its job.”
When a car sits unused, the battery slowly discharges on its own. If the charge drops too low, freezing temperatures can finish it off. Smith recommends using an automatic trickle charger — a device that provides a steady, low-current charge — for any car that will sit for extended periods during the winter.
“This will keep your car battery at a healthy charge level and prevent deep discharge cycles that can shorten battery life,” he said.
Smith noted that battery replacement can typically cost between $150 and $300. That cost compounds if you also need a tow because the car won’t start, which typically runs between $100 and $250.
3. Check Your Brake Fluid
Though brake fluid rarely freezes in the cold, Smith explains that it can absorb moisture present in the air. The brake system is usually sealed with rubber gaskets and specific fittings, but those connections can leak, allowing moisture inside.
Moisture-contaminated brake fluid can lead to corrosion, reduced braking performance and expensive failures. Smith recommends using an electronic brake fluid tester or, if you’re not mechanically inclined, having a trusted mechanic check the moisture levels.
“Brake system repairs can easily climb into the thousands depending on what fails,” Smith said. “Winter’s not the time to find out your brakes are soft.”
Paying a professional to flush moisture-contaminated brake fluid — which Smith says could cost around $100 to $150 — is far more affordable than the $600 to $1,200 or more required to repair rusted lines, seized calipers or brake damage.
4. Use Four Winter Tires
Plenty of people tell Smith that two winter tires are enough, especially if their car has front-wheel drive. He’s not so sure about that logic. It may seem like a financially smart decision — until the rear of the car goes rogue.
Tires work as a system. The front tires handle steering and power, while the rear tires keep the car facing forward. Smith says a full set of winter tires gives your vehicle more traction, which can help prevent sliding into curbs, guardrails — or worse.
“Once you lose control, you’re not worried about what you spent on tires because you’ll be dealing with insurance deductibles and repairs that start in the thousands,” he said.
Collision-related repairs can be steep, ranging from $1,500 to $3,000 for bodywork and alignment alone. Then there are the insurance deductibles and raised premiums. That’s a lot of hassle and expense — so just get the tires.
5. Apply Silicone Spray to Door Seals
Picture this: You’re rushing to work on a freezing morning when you realize your car door is stuck shut. Panicked about being late, you yank the door handle — only to snap the latch or tear the door seal. Now you’re not just late; you’ve got hefty repair bills, too. Smith says it all could have been prevented with a can of silicone spray.
“The rubber around the doors traps moisture, and when it freezes, it bonds the seal to the door frame,” he said. “Put a light coat of silicone around the rubber to keep the moisture from sticking and help the doors open even after snow or a deep freeze. On older vehicles, it also helps the seals stay soft so they don’t dry out or crack as fast.”
Depending on your vehicle, replacing a door seal or latch could cost anywhere from $150 to $600. That can of silicone spray is much cheaper.
The Bottom Line
Turns out your car likes winter about as much as you do — not very much. To spare yourself the added winter blues of paying for major repairs or even shopping for a new car, it pays to listen to an expert’s advice on winter-proofing.
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