Here are 5 things you can do right now to prepare your car for NC’s winter ice & snow

Winter weather is expected in North Carolina this weekend, which could spell trouble for your car if you don’t take necessary precautions.

Without proper vehicle maintenance, low temperatures combined with snow and ice can lead to underinflated tires, faulty car batteries and defective engines, according to Car and Driver, an automotive enthusiast publication.

Luckily, there are simple and effective steps you can take to get your vehicle ready for freezing temperatures and prevent costly repairs down the road.

Here are five actions you can take now to protect your vehicle from the damage caused by cold weather:

1. Wash your car

Rain, snow and road salt can damage the paint on your car, so it’s important to wash it regularly during the winter months, according to CarMax.

Automatic car washes can remove the grime from your car, or you can choose to wash it yourself. When you wash your car, CarMax recommends removing haze from your headlights to keep them shining bright.

2. Check your cabin air filter

Changing your car’s cabin air filter can increase its performance during the winter months.

A dirty cabin air filter can reduce the quality of your HVAC system and slow down window defogging, CarMax says. It can also produce a musty odor inside your car.

3. Check your tire pressure

Cold weather can shrink the volume of air in your tires, which can lead to low tire pressure, according to HowStuffWorks.

Though it may be tempting to ignore, low tire pressure can hurt your car’s fuel economy, make your vehicle tougher to handle, and lead to blowouts — especially if you travel at high speeds, according to Car and Driver.

If your tire pressure warning light comes on, you should check your tires using a tire pressure gauge.

If your air pressure is low, you should find a nearby gas station or service station to inflate your tires.

4. Check the battery

Batteries perform best in hot weather, and they have to work even harder to help start your car when temperatures drop, according to CarMax.

If the connections on your battery look corroded, or if your car is having electrical problems, it may be time to replace it.

Extra tip: Changing the oil in your car can also help the engine run more efficiently in cold weather, according to Kelley Blue Book.

5. Top off your antifreeze

Antifreeze lowers the temperature at which the water in your engine can freeze, CarMax says.

A good ratio to use when topping off your antifreeze to prepare for cold weather is one part water and one part undiluted antifreeze.

This story was originally published January 9, 2025 at 11:50 AM.

Evan Moore

The Charlotte Observer

Evan Moore is a service journalism reporter for the Charlotte Observer. He grew up in Denver, North Carolina, where he previously worked as a reporter for the Denver Citizen, and is a UNC Charlotte graduate.