Getting Your Vehicle Ready For Winter

This list will help you avoid no-starts, frozen doors and windows, engine freeze-up and accidents. Plus, see our must-have winter car emergency kit.

Test Your Car Battery

Car batteries have a limited life. Don't wait for yours to fail and leave you stranded. You can check the condition of the battery, starting and entire charging system with a computerized battery tester. Besides testing voltage, a computerized battery tester checks for internal resistance and conductance, giving you a good idea of the battery's overall condition. Plus, the tester also checks the condition of your starter and alternator. Make sure you buy a battery tester that works on conventional lead acid batteries, as well as gel and absorbed glass mat (AGM) styles. That way you can use the same tester on your motorcycle and lawn and garden equipment. Don't want to invest in a tester? Here at Triple T we will check yours for free when we change your oil . 

Clean Your Battery Terminals

Corrosion buildup on battery posts and terminals can cause hard starting problems in cold weather and prevent your charging system from fully recharging your battery. Disconnect the negative cable first, then the positive cable. Clean the battery terminal posts using a battery cleaning tool or wire brush. Then clean the cable terminals. Clean off all grease and acid residue from the top of the battery with a paper towel. Then re-install the positive cable terminal, followed by the negative cable. We can take care of that service for you with ease just give us a call today.

Protect Your Battery Terminals

Reduce future battery terminal corrosion with a battery terminal protectant spray. Once the battery terminals are cleaned and re-installed, spray each terminal with a liberal coating of battery terminal protectant Lubricate Window Tracks

Freezing water can seep into the window tracks and create drag when you try to open the window. That drag can damage the window regulator cables, costing you almost $300. You can avoid the problem entirely by lubricating the window tracks with spray silicone or dry teflon spray lubricant. Lower the window and shoot the spray right into the front and back window track. Apply enough lube so it drips all the way down the track. Then operate the window through several open and close cycles to spread the lube along the entire track. Use glass cleaner and a paper towel to remove any spray that lands on the glass.

Lube Your Door Locks

You probably don't use your door and trunk locks very much if you have remote keyless entry, but that's no reason to ignore them. In fact, if you don't keep the lock cylinders lubricated they'll corrode, making it impossible for you to use your key. If your key fob battery ever dies, you'll be locked out and have to call a locksmith. Lubricating door and truck lock cylinders is easy. Puffing graphite lock lubricant into the keyway works well, as long as you don't overdo it. Dry Teflon spray lube is another option. Shake the spray can to distribute the Tefllon and shoot the liquid into the lock cylinder. The solvent will dissolve any sticky parts. Once the solvent evaporates, the internal lock parts will be coated in Teflon particles, allowing the lock to operate smoothly. 

Lube Latches and Hinges

The last thing you want to deal with when you've got a dead battery is a sticking hood latch. Since the latch mechanism sits right behind your grille, they corrode and seize from all the salt spray that gets kicked up by the cars in front of you. You can prevent that corrosion by lubricating the latch mechanism before the snow flies. Just pop the hood and soak the latch with spray lithium grease. Open and close the hood a few times to work the lube into the latch and spring mechanism. Then close the hood and forget about it for the rest of the winter. It'll pop open without any problems when you need to get under the hood.

Check Tire Tread Depth

Worn tires are your worst enemy in winter. They increase your stopping distance and decrease stability on wet roads. Even though most states have a 2/32-in. minimum tread depth standard, independent tests have shown that tire traction decreases dramatically once your tires wear beyond 4/32-in. You can try to slide by through winter on low tread, but that's exactly what you'll be doing—sliding. A single skid into the curb at 5-MPH can easily cause $1,500 worth of damage to suspension and steering components. Sure, your insurance will cover it, but you'll have to pay the deductible and it'll count as an at-fault accident, raising your premiums for years. For about the cost of a single deductible, you can buy new tires or install winter tires and avoid those slip and slide accidents. To check the depth of your tread, use an inexpensive tire tread depth gauge (from any auto parts store). Check the tread depth in the center and outer edges of each tire. If your readings are less than 4/32-in

Check Your Coolant

Engine coolant does more than protect your engine from freezing and cracking. Coolant also contains anti-corrosive additives and water pump lubricants to keep your entire cooling system in tip-top shape. Test the level of your coolant's freeze protection using an inexpensive tester. Suck in some coolant from the coolant reservoir and read the results on the scale 

Switch to Winter Wiper Blades

Ordinary wiper blades get packed with snow, causing the blade to streak or miss large swaths of your windshield. Winter wiper blades eliminate that problem. The entire blade is wrapped in a rubber boot that prevents ice and snow from sticking or packing. They make for much better visibility and safer winter driving. 

Check and Replace Your Hood Lifts

If the gas lift cylinders that keep your hood open are weak when it's warm outside, they'll quit working completely when temperatures dip below freezing.

Replace the Cabin Air Filter

Cabin air filters are one of the most neglected maintenance items on late model cars and trucks. You may think its unimportant, but a clogged cabin air filter can dramatically reduce airflow through your car's heater, stressing the blower motor and over heating the blower motor resistor. Blower motor replacement on some cars can cost as much as $400, so it really pays to replace you cabin air filter before heating and cooling season. 

Build Your Own Winter Survival Kit

Candle-Powered Heater

When your car is stuck or broke down in the winter, keeping it running to stay warm can be dicey. For one thing, you'll eventually run out of gas (though your car can run for a few hours on a full tank) and you'll need some fuel when help arrives to get your car moving again or when the weather clears up. But more importantly, snow and ice can block your engine's exhaust and lead to deadly levels of carbon monoxide in the car's cabin. So make sure you pack a simple candle-powered heater. All you need is a metal can, a candle and a lighter. A candle can make a surprisingly effective ad hoc heater in the confined space of a car.

Small LED Flashlight

Make sure your car kit contains a small LED flashlight with fresh batteries. Flashlights are a godsend for changing flats, or to see under the hood to find any quick fixes. And once the sun sets, you'll want something to illuminate the interior of the cabin for writing down notes, phone numbers, etc. And in some cases, you can use the flashlight to signal oncoming cars or trucks for help

Cell Phone Charger

Cell phones are welcome lifelines when your car is stuck, but they're only effective when they're charged. So keep a spare cell phone charger in your survival kit to keep your phone charged up 

Portable Air Compressor

Powered by the 12v outlet in your car, a portable air compressor doesn't take up much space and can help fill low tires or more importantly fill a flat or low spare tire. Tire pressure-related tire failures are surprisingly common, so it's always a good idea to check your tires regularly.

Safety Absorbent

A small bag of safety absorbent can help your car regain traction when you're stuck on ice. Cat litter also works, but floor sweep absorbent works better

Jumper Cables

You should never count on another motorist to have jumper cables for you to borrow—carry your own. They're inexpensive and could mean the difference between a helpful motorist helping you get your car started or paying a tow truck to do it. Make sure you also know the right way to jumpstart your car

Foldable Shovel

Digging out compacted snow from under the car or around the wheels is much easier with a proper shovel. Plus, using your hands, even in gloves, can cool you down fast. When you don't have room for a full-size shovel (and really, who does?), the next best thing is a foldable shovel. You can 

Fix-a-Flat

Sometimes, when you're lucky, a can of fix-a-flat (or two cans for larger tires on SUVs and trucks) can get you back on the road without having to put on your spare (which can be a real hassle in the cold). Remember, fix-a-flat isn't intended to be a permanent solution, just a stopgap measure until you can find a tire shop. But fix-a-flat has to be warm to dispense. So either keep it in the cab or warm it over the defroster before using. 

First Aid Kit

Keep the essentials in your car—including spare medications if you need them—to make sure you can stay alert while you're waiting. Brush up on your first aid skills so you're ready if the situation calls for something more than a bandage

Warm Hat and Gloves

Staying warm is the most important survival tactic when you're stranded in the winter. It's always a good idea to have an extra hat and gloves so you (or an under-clothed guest) can keep warm while getting your car out of a ditch, changing a tire or taking a look under the hood.

It's real esy to get caught out unexpected, Here at Triple T we are here to help you with that. We can help you with anything you may need. We are a phone call away. 

Tell Them Ronnie B sent ya