Disclosure: As a member of the Rules of the Road Warriors Program I have received compensation to share. All opinions are my own.
Just recently I joined the Sear Auto Rules of the Road Warriors program! This program is aimed at educating people about proper automobile maintenance and car care. This month we are focusing on what it takes to prepare for Winter. So I headed up to my local Sears Auto Center to visit with one of their lead technicians. In turn, the experience was great and educational. Please find below 5 things I learned from my visit at my Sears Auto Center.
5 Things to Check Your Vehicle Before Winter
- Old, dirty or incorrect fluids: All fluids should be updated to deal with cold temperatures. Fresh antifreeze helps your components stay lubricated in subzero conditions and keeps contaminants from marring your radiator, preventing rust and leaks.
- Bad wipers or windshield wiper fluid: One of the most significant aspects of driving safety is your ability to see the road clearly. In blowing sleet and snow, that’s not always easy. A quality set of windshield wipers and the right wiper fluid for the temperatures in your area are essential to being safe throughout the coldest weather.
- Old or Failing Batteries: Cold weather has a way of seeping energy from batteries, leaving you without the ability to start your car when you need it the most. AAA reports a 300 percent increase in the amount of battery-related calls once winter rolls around. That’s no coincidence.
- Old Tires or Low Pressure: Cold temperatures cause tire pressure to drop, leaving you vulnerable on the road. Forget about the numbers embossed on your sidewalls and go with the pressure rating in your owner’s manual or inside your driver’s side door. These are the manufacturer’s specs specifically for your car.
- Misalignment and damaged shocks and struts: Winter brings a constant cycle of freezing and thawing, as well as salt and other chemicals designed to melt the snow and ice. This combination can lead to cracks and gaping potholes in the road.
The friendly technicians at your local Sears Auto Center will be happy to make you an appoinment to go over ways to better prepare your car for the winter months. 
Sears has also provided me with a gift card to giveaway. You can use this at your local Sears Auto Center or Sears store for whatever you need! You can learn more about Rules of the Road Warrior by following the hashtag #SACRoadWarriors, follow @SearsAuto on Twitter, like the Sears Auto Facebook page, and even follow Sears Auto on Instagram.
The Giveaway: $50 Sears Gift Card
Kimberly Frazee says
Keep track of air in tires, water and oil levels
Stephanie Phelps says
My best care tip is to wash your car frequently!
Lyndsey says
Always keep up with it and do it on time!
Nancy says
My best car care tip is to replace your windshield wipers regularly for great visibility.
Mommy2Five says
Great tips for everyone! I need to definitely get this to my son in college
Rebecca says
Best car care tip is to get regular oil changes and keep up with maintenance.
Natalie says
My best car tip for sure is to keep your tires inflated properly!
mikeborders2000 says
My tip would be to keep the oil changed every 3,000 miles! Leigh Anne Borders
Soo says
My best tip is to change your oil regularly.
rj7777 says
The best thing is to keep your oil changed and filter! Maintenance as required will help the vehicle stay in great shape. Rita Spratlen
Nora H says
regular maintenance ie oil change, filter change, wiper check, tire check.
sherri crawford says
mine is checking all the fluids monthly at least
gooba01 says
My tip is to replace your windshield wipers yearly.
Dorothy Boucher says
The best tip I could give to anyone is to please make sure you are prepared when you enter your vehicle, Always keep a supply in the back, blanket , water even a snack.. and for the vehicle, have a few handy tools , water windshield fluid and so on… be prepared..
David Coulson-Lowes says
Great list, especially for an older car. Always forget about the change in temp and the effect on tyre pressure…
Jen S. says
Signing up for the incentive cards at gas stations can save you money in the long run. I have one for the three gas companies that I frequent the most. Between the gas buddy app and using those cards, I have been able to reduce the cost of gas by a bit.
Lisa Coomer Queen says
Always keep your oil and fluids checked.
BeckyM says
Change your oil regularly.
livesimply1111 says
My best Car Tip is to change your Oil every 3,000 miles – I think this determines the life of your car.
Cathy French says
My tip is to make sure your car is full or at least 3/4 full of gas during the cold winter months.
Patricia Murray says
Very informative and great pictures! I didn’t know tire pressure was affected by cold.
Connie says
My best car tip is to keep your car clean. It reduces damage to both the interior and exterior.
debbie campbell says
do the regular maintenance on your vehicle
Mary Czerczyk says
My tip is regular oil changes.
Jen Rodrigues says
Always get your car checked twice or once a year. Always get new wipers yearly!!
Carolyn Massey says
Replace windshield wipers and tires after 40,000 miles. Before going out of town always check all fluids, tire pressure and clean the windows inside and out.
sandra says
make sure tires are inflated to the proper psi
Becky T. says
I put important dates of car car updates right away when I get a new calendar every year. Oil changes, tire rotations, windshield wiper replacements, they’re all scheduled early so I remember.
Laurie Allen says
Thanks for all the tips… being a single mom, I need reminded 🙂
Tracy says
Make sure your car is taken in to the shop regularly
Lisa Aliperti says
Get out your hose and spray the road grime and salt off the underside of your car.
Pam Gurganus says
My best car care tip is to keep your tires at the proper air pressure! It makes all the difference in how your car drives and even gas mileage!
kathy f says
My best car advice is to keep up on maintenance, so you don’t have major repairs.
Kelli T. says
Get the oil changed and keep the car washed.
kelly mcgrew says
always check your tire pressure in the winter as the cold and fluctuation in temps do a number on tires.
also, try to learn how to do some things on a car to save money when you don’t have a ton to spend on upkeep/repairs. (change your own oil, check fluids regularly, charge a/c, etc)
Cass Sudduth says
make sure your tire pressure is correct is my best car tip along with regular maintenance
Catherine Wooster says
Great tips for getting your vehicle winter-ready!
Elizabeth says
My best car tip is to pay attention to the indicator lights on the dash board. I remember I totally ignored the lights when I was younger and had my first car. *ahem* Not a good idea.
Lesa says
All the ones you said! And..the windshield washer fluid is a real emergency when you run out, this happened to me, everyone – make sure you check this often! I also keep supplies for winter in the back of the van, water, blankets, scraper/broom, salt or sand.
Juanita A May says
Check your fluids weekly.
Dana says
Change your oil regularly!
amanda assencoa says
always change your oil on time
steve weber says
make sure you keep an eye on your oil .
Jon Heil says
Rotate the tires every 7000 miles
Krista Ballard says
Keep Gas in it… Sad to say, I’ve run out way too many times…
Jerry Marquardt says
Make sure you check your tire pressure weekly and look at them before you take off.
slehan says
Get regular oil changes.
Thanks for the contest.
gallerhea says
My best car care tip is to warm the car up in the mornings! 🙂
cami valenzuela says
Keep an eye out on ur fluids. Something so small buy can make a huge difference
Ronna F says
I’d love to win the gift card!!!!
Darlene Owen says
My best tip is to keep the oil changes up to date.
Laurie F says
I would give it to my daughter for diapers and baby wipes for the grandkids
Helena Baillio says
Great things to note! I’ve put my reminders in my google calendar as recurring monthly
mikeborders2000 says
My tip is to keep the oil changed every three thousand miles. Leigh Anne Borders
Mandala says
Check your batteries and always have safety provisions of clothes and snacks in case you get stuck. Thanks!
Tanya White says
My best car care tip is to check fluids at least once a month. Your fluids are very vital to keeping your car healthy and running efficiently.
linda w. says
Obviously keep your car in good running order by doing all the above but i keep extra warm clothes, blankets, gloves and jumper cables in the car as well.
Tommy G says
i want the gift card to help my dad. He is really into cars but has a limited budget. This would really help him!
Natalie Brown says
Hello! My best car care tip is to check your windshield wipers every six months. Also, use Rain-X. I didn’t think it would work but it does!
Jill Rivera says
I make sure to put a warm blanket in the car, some dry food, and hubbie make sure to check the fluids in the car.
Sharon Kaminski says
My best car care tip is to rotate your tires to make them last longer.
Megan Scharlau says
Don’t forget to keep jumper cables in your trunk
Debra S. says
MY best car care tip? LOL Okay I’m a Gramma, so mine is to have sons. Sons who are quite mechanical and you can just ask them anything… then, you have an honest garage to take the car into regularly and let them do everything for you!
Kay Bishop says
Keep check on oil, I learned this the hard way.
Laura Lane of Harvest Lane Cottage says
Keep plenty of gas in the car.
Carol says
To get regular oil changes.
Fallon Frederick says
keep snacks on hand, and one of those urinals from rei… just in case you get trapped in trffic!
Yona Williams says
My car care tip is to always have a gas tank in the trunk of your car with some gas for emergencies, a shovel, jumper cables, and a tool chest.
Michael Mayhew says
My car tip is to keep up on regular maintenance like checking fluids,oil change ect.. It will make a big difference in the life of your car and keep repair bills down.
Melissa Shirley says
My best car tip is to make sure that you have good tires, and that you get them rotated when they need to be.
Kristen says
Change your oil and check your tire pressure regularly.
Kelly Nicholson says
besides not owning a car in a forced insurance state? change the oil on time!
Linda G. says
My tip is to check your tire pressure
Kat McQuaid (@KouponKat) says
Replace your battery every couple of years.
FRANK says
Get regular oil changes.
jose benavides says
I would advice to clean your car at least once a week to avoid grime build up and make it harder on yourself.
Selinda says
Make sure you have the emergency tools you need like a scraper, cat litter etc just in case you need them!
txpepperqueen says
My tip is to always check your tire pressure. Not all of us have sensors so we don’t always know when one is low.
Jill Jackson says
Learn to do it yourself. Exactly why I’m getting my degree in Automotive Engineering
anitakayduvall says
Not only do we need to remember to winterize our cars, but also prepare for the hot temps as well. Summer is time for road trips and vacations so you want to protect your family.
jennifer says
Keep up with oil changes!
Wes Hovorka says
My tip is to keep the gas tank full during the winter.
angelasaver says
My best tip is to change your oil regularly!
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Shirley Smith says
My car tip is to have your battery and belts checked before winter months even begin.
Angel McMore says
My tip is to keep up with oil changes.
shannonforpeace says
Always keep at least a half tank of gas and turn off the radio/heat before turning off your car.
realgamerdog says
Marry a mechanic! Works for me.
crystal sheckles-gibson says
I always keep my car maintained with oil changes and rotating the tires. I like to keep spare jackets and a blanket for emergencies.
sheila ressel says
I carry a gallon of water, jumper cables and my AAA card with me at all times.
Jessica Cox says
To get your oil changed and make sure to have an emergency kit
shaunie (@sandyhills25) says
to always have an oil check for the winter weather
Carol Nine says
My best tip is to keep up with the need for oil changes. Who wants to ruin their engine?
pamela j says
I think you pretty much covered it all.
Toni Marie Caravello Feimer says
Always get your oil changed at 3000 miles for regular and 6000 for blends or whatever the stated mileage is for your car and that particular oil. They will check all your fluids and tires.
Dawn Monroe says
My tip is to buy a new battery every couple of years and carry jumper cables.
Danalee Davis says
Change the oil every 3000 miles.
Dana Matthews says
Oil changes on time…tune up regularly!
missy sands says
always keep windshield washer fluid that will not freeze
DG Middendorf says
Get your oil changes on time and rotate those tires.
Sandra Watts (@saleago) says
Keep it clean and have good air pressure in your tires and oil change regularly.
Susan S. says
Good information!
Jocelyn A. says
I’m so bad at taking care of cars so I don’t have any. I guess I better read yours!
deanna Lynn says
I don’t know much about tires, but I know it is good to rotate your tires and check your fluids often.
brandidawn says
Stay up on maintenence…If you keep up with it, then it does not become too much of an overwhelming expense.
Michelle Levine says
I always make sure my tires are full to protect them, and to get better mileage
Michelle says
Keep the gas tank above the halfway mark and check the tire pressure.
laurie murley says
my tip is to have a mechanic go over your car before winter to check for things that might give you trouble later on
Anita k says
Learn as much as you can about car maintenance so you can stay ahead of the game.thanks.
Robin Wilson says
Keep the air pressure in your tires checked to help with gas mileage and wear and tear.
Angela P. says
My best car tip is to invest in AAA.. you never know when you might need it. They have saved me many times. They even came when I was in my friend’s car that broke down. So worth it.
Amanda Sakovitz says
Mine is to change your wiper blades for the winter.
Julie Cutshaw says
Keep a dated record in your vehicle’s glove compartment of each oil change that you perform listing the date, mileage, the brand of oil per weight,(10W 30-10W 40 ) and oil filter that you used. This helps you determine if you need to change your oil every 3,000 or sooner depending on how much traveling you did and what brands of products works best for your vehicle.
Heather Hampton says
I greatly appreciate your suggestions. I live in a ski resort and it’s so important to stay ahead of car repairs. The altitude at 7000 feet causes a lot of fluctuations with the tire pressure and I’m always having to inflate the tires especially when it’s extremely cold. These are things you simply don’t think about unless you’ve experienced it the same is true with these type of tips. It takes experience and one to share their knowledge.