How to Winterize a Car

 
The winters of Omaha and Lincoln can be harsh on your vehicle, and winterization can protect your car from months of potential headaches. What is winterization? And how do I properly winterize a car engine and other components? Sid Dillon has created an extensive guide to answer all your questions, so let’s get started.

What is Winterization?

Winterization is the process of preparing your vehicle for a season of cold weather and snowy conditions. Your car needs a little help to truly thrive in subzero temperatures with heavy snow, slippery ice, and slush. Since average winter temperatures in Fremont range from lows around 10 degrees to highs in the 40s, winterization is absolutely essential.

How Much Does it Cost to Winterize a Car?

Winterization services usually cost around $100 to $200 to prepare your car for the entire season. However, different cars have different service costs. Be sure to check out our service specials to save a little extra this holiday season!

What Do I Need to Do To Prepare My Vehicle for Winter?

Before the worst of the winter weather sets in, it’s important to get your vehicle checked and ready to go. Just schedule your winterization appointment with the service experts at Sid Dillon to go through the following checklist:

• Battery: A technician will test your battery to make sure it has the necessary charge, so it can handle the plummeting temperatures without needing a jump start.
• Tire Pressure: Did you know that every 10 degrees in ambient air temperature, tire air pressure will fluctuate by about 1 PSI? Check your tire pressure to make sure you have sufficient traction on slippery roads, and keep checking throughout the season!
• Brakes: From the slushy roads to corrosive salt, your brakes go through a lot in the winter. Make sure you get an expert to look them over so they don’t rust or break.
• Auto Fluids: Everything from coolant to windshield wiper fluid should be checked regularly, so you can enjoy solid performance all season long.
• Belts and hoses: The rubber in your belts and hoses can become brittle during cold temperatures, but your technician will make sure everything is functioning perfectly.
• Oil Change: Motor oil can thicken as the temperatures freeze, which is why it’s best to start fresh for the season. Get an oil change, and your engine will thank you.
• Wiper blades: Check your blades for any signs of damage or age. If your set isn’t up to speed, get a replacement at the parts department or ask our service center for help.
• Full Tank: The less gas in your gas tank, the more opportunity for moisture to creep in. This can cause diluted fuel and even fuel pump damage. Keep your tank topped off!

How Do I Drive on Icy Roads?

The best thing to do during icy conditions is to simply stay at home. But if that’s not possible, put yourself in the best position possible. Consider winter tires if you live in an area that’s prone to icy buildup, and be sure to keep emergency supplies in your car, just in case. The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) recommends a basic vehicle survival kit, which you can buy premade or make your own.

How to Winterize a Car Engine

Let’s say you want to know how to winterize a car engine. What do you do?

• Checking Fluid Levels: Whether you’ve had an oil change recently or not, it’s a good idea to look at your motor oil levels. Pop the hood to make sure your car is good to go and check the owner’s manual for tips.
• Using Antifreeze: Antifreeze can help prevent major issues as the weather dips below zero. Once again, check your owner’s manual for more information about your make and model.
• Checking Belts & Hoses: Take a look at the surface of your belts and hoses for any sign of wear. If anything seems out of the ordinary, schedule a service.

How to Winterize a Car Battery

Now you know how to winterize a car engine, but what about how to winterize a car battery? Winter is the season of jump starts, and if you want to avoid being stranded with a dead battery, it’s good to take proactive measures. Get a battery check to make sure your battery has the charge strength to last all season. If it’s weak, get a new one. Otherwise, just make sure it’s free of corrosion and damage.

How to Winterize a Car for Storage

Some Fremont drivers know how to winterize a car for storage, but do you know how to properly winterize a car for storage? With the right preparation, you can enjoy months of peace of mind from knowing your vehicle is safe.

• Choose Your Location Wisely: Learning how to winterize a car for storage outdoors is a little more complicated than indoor storage, so be sure to scope out your locations strategically. Ideally, you’d choose a climate-controlled environment with a tarp beneath the vehicle to prevent moisture damage and a covering to protect the finish.
• Do Basic Maintenance: Replace your oil and top off your gas tank. Add fuel stabilizer to prevent oxidation if you’d like, and run your car for 10 minutes to let the stabilizer circulate.
• Protect Your Tires: Floor pads or a tarp underneath your wheels can prevent everything from moisture damage to brake corrosion. If you want to go the extra mile, you can even lift the car or remove the tires completely.
• Remove the battery: If you want to learn how to properly winterize a car for storage, don’t forget to remove the battery. Simply store it in a safe environment or leave it on a trickle charger for extra credit.

How to Winterize a Classic Car

Next, we’ll dive into how to winterize a classic car. As you might expect, classic cars may not have the same requirements as modern vehicles when it comes to winterizing them. 

Even if you’ve just driven your classic car 50 miles in the past year, change the oil before you winterize it. Give your classic car a good cleaning inside and out. We highly recommend removing the battery completely. Use a fuel stabilizer to prevent moisture from creeping in. You don’t want to replace the gas tank after learning how to winterize a classic car.

How to Winterize a Sports Car

Sports cars also need special attention when winterizing them. How to winterize a sports car is much the same as winterizing other vehicles with a few differences. 

Don’t just cover the top of the car. Cover the tires to keep any ice off of them. Consider some kind of block or cover to protect the car’s underside from critter intrusions. You don’t want anything to creep up in there for warmth if your sports car is being stored outside or in a garage that isn’t climate-controlled. When deciding how to winterize a sports car, you may find that the best option is a climate-controlled facility. 

How to Winterize a Convertible Car

Knowing how to winterize a convertible car means protecting the top and the mechanism that keeps the top moving. We recommend treating your convertible car much in the same way as if you’re driving in during the winter. Store it indoors, on a concrete floor, in a cool, dry place. Climate-controlled storage is ideal, but a garage will work fine. 

Lay down tarp on the concrete to prevent moisture from seeping up, unless the garage doesn’t have that problem. Leave the top up, but crack the windows just a bit to prevent moisture from creeping in. Leaving the top down is a bad idea because the fabric could stretch, crack, or rip after having it in a folded position for so long. Now you know how to winterize a convertible car!

How to Winterize a Car for Outdoor Storage

When learning how to winterize a car for outdoor storage, look over a few simple tips:

1. Find a low-traffic area to prevent nicks, dings, and bumps. Even though you’ll have a custom-fit tarp over the vehicle, you don’t want anyone to get close enough to it to cause any scrapes or damage.
2. Remove the battery completely. Frigid temps wreak havoc on it. You can leave it on a trickle charger to keep it viable when spring comes.
3. Put a floor pad underneath the car to prevent moisture from seeping up and causing rust on the undercarriage.
4. Plug up the exhaust and other entryways into the vehicle. Critters love something warm to sleep in during the winter. Put steel wool in the exhaust pipes. 

Schedule Your Winter Service at Sid Dillon!

Whether you need more service tips on how to winterize a car for storage outdoors or you’re ready to schedule your next tire rotation, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Our team is here to ensure your car is prepared for anything.