How To Prepare Your Chevrolet For Winter Safety & Tips

When winter is on its way to Columbia, Tennessee, you may want to book a preparation service for your vehicle, especially if it’s been a while since the last service. The change of the season is a wonderful opportunity to fix things up and ensure that you’re protected from the coming weather.

Winterizing your car involves various tasks, as you want to be certain that all your vehicle’s components can resist subzero temperatures, icy roads, snow, and more. You and your car can be ready for winter travel with some basic preparation, especially if you count on Stan McNabb Chevrolet of Columbia. View our inventory of New Chevrolets, or If you have any questions, give us a call at 931-548-1370 today! Check out these guidelines to prepare your Chevrolet for winter, plus a few tips to drive safely during the season:

Find Cover From Snow

Winters in Columbia, Tennessee, can bring frigid temperatures and unexpected snowfall. If possible, place your car inside a garage or covered area to help protect it from snow and other harsh elements.

Get Winter Tires

Since your tires are likely to encounter ice, snow, and other slippery surfaces, you’ll want to ensure they’re in good shape. If any of your tires have insufficient tread depth, you may find yourself skidding past stop signs or sliding down hills. Checking and correcting the pressure level is important as well, since cold temperatures can reduce it.

For simplicity and extra precaution, you might want to consider buying and fitting a pair of winter tires. These tires have a stronger grip on the road and improve traction, handling, and control in cold weather. Like other Chevy parts, you can order affordable winter tires online with Stan McNabb Chevrolet of Columbia.

Change the Wiper Blades

When your wipers are moving, listen for any kind of squeaking or squealing noises. You can also check to see whether they leave streaks behind. If you notice any of these signs, it’s probably time to replace them. It’s also helpful to purchase a pair of winter wiper blades. These are thicker and heavier than standard blades, so they push ice and snow off your windshield much more effectively.

Also, remember to replace your windshield fluid with a seasonally appropriate formula. Winter-appropriate windshield washer fluid is more resistant to freezing and is useful when you need help washing off dirty snow streaks.

Check Your Vehicle’s Battery

A drop in temperature can affect your vehicle’s battery capacity. Make sure your battery is winter-ready before the snow falls so you can easily start your car on the coldest of mornings. You’ll want to check the battery fluid level, tighten any loose terminal connections, and inspect the wires for fractures or breaks. Consider getting a new battery if it’s about time.

Replace Old Fluids

Cold weather is harsher on your vehicle’s engine and other moving parts, so ensure that all your fluid levels are full and fresh before winter hits. Your engine oil, for example, is usually more sluggish in cold weather. By getting an oil change before the temperatures drop, your engine won’t have to work as hard, helping prevent undue wear. Having your transmission fluid replaced when the time comes will also be helpful.

Antifreeze is a liquid that reduces the freezing point of water. It prevents the water in your engine’s cooling system from freezing, which can cause serious damage. Taking the same role as coolant in the summer, antifreeze liquid also runs throughout your engine block and radiator reservoir to maintain an engine-safe, uniform temperature.

Check the Heating System and Lights

Of course, you should check that your heating system is in good operating order so you can stay comfortable during your winter drives. You’ll need a functioning windshield defroster mode, too, to help get any ice, snow, or condensation fog quickly out of the way. If your side mirrors have defrosters, give those a test.

For winter nights and early mornings, check that all the lights on your Chevrolet are working. Your high beams, fog lights, turn signals, hazard lights, and any others should turn on at the right time and be bright enough to see.

Prepare an Emergency Kit

Winter conditions can be dangerous due to unforeseen obstacles such as road ice, freezing temperatures, and potentially limited access when off-road. Consider packing a winter emergency kit, which could include blankets, extra clothes, nonperishable food items, water, a first aid kit, jumper cables, flares/reflectors, flashlights, an ice scraper, towels, and a phone charger.

Prepare Your Brakes for Winter Driving

Black ice or melted snow on the road can cause your vehicle to slide unexpectedly, requiring especially firm and dependable stopping power. Having a professional mechanic inspect your brake pads and rotors, fluid, lines, calipers, and hoses will ensure that everything is in good working order.

How To Keep Safe During Winter Driving

There are various things you can do to keep safe when driving down wintry roads in Columbia and beyond. First and foremost, make sure to drive defensively. Brake and accelerate more gradually and increase your following distance behind the vehicle ahead to six seconds or more. It’s also wise not to use cruise control — instead, accelerate entirely by yourself. When driving in the winter, cruise control can make it harder to react to changing road conditions. Also, avoid distractions such as using your phone, and when in doubt, pull over somewhere you can wait out the weather.

Tennessee may not have the longest, most extreme winters, but it’s important to be cautious against the cold affecting your battery and the pressure in your tires. Keep these things in mind while also driving cautiously to ensure your safety and that of your passengers.

Is Your Chevy Winter Ready?

With a little work, you can prepare your car, and yourself, for even the harshest Columbia, Tennessee, winter. Get your vehicle serviced by our experts at Stan McNabb Chevrolet of Columbia now to ensure it’s winter-ready before the temperature changes. Our team of factory-certified specialists can help you protect your vehicle from winter-related accidents and long-term wear. Schedule a service appointment with us and enjoy total peace of mind every season.