I hope everyone who is currently in a cold climate is on their way to a warmer climate for the winter. You don't want to be in a vehicle when there's 3 feet of snow surrounding you.

Thanks for the reminder. I have to fix a seal on the roof that needs a long drying time. It was always too rainy to deal with it in the spring, but it's a dry heat wave now. Perfect time for it. 

I just picked up my car from an auto auction last week. So I'm in the process of getting it up and running. So far I've replaced the solenoids, a new battery(the one they had in it was bad and the incorrect size), new engine air filter, new cam sensors, and scheduled a mechanic to take a look at the engine next week so I can get an idea of anything else I need done(there's a couple check engine codes so trying to figure out what's tripping them). Also got new brake pads I need to install and need to do an oil change.

Remember, check your fluid levels, your brakes, your tires, and your filters. Dropping $100-200 to do regular maintenance is gonna help reduce the chance of 1k+ repairs in the future.

Time to replace the always forgotten, but very pesky brake fluid!!

Brake failures of any kind are NEVER convenient!!

If you can do it, now is a great time to change the water pump, alternator, starter, serpentine drive belt, thermostat and the radiator hoses. Those are the 6 things that you don't want to have fail on you in the dead of winter. It's probably fine if your vehicle is newer or if you know the last time those items were replaced.

Anything else that can go wrong is somewhat manageable, even in the worst weather.

Keep cold weather gear for you and your passengers in the car. Also some hi energy snacks. You can get electric hot water heaters that plug in to the 12v socket so you can boil snow for a hot drink (it should be clean, just make sure it isn't yellow!)

Cover your windshield with a heavy blanket overnight, that will mean it takes less time to defrost and clear in the morning. Scrape ice from all your windows so you have good visibility. Or get a Ford which has their quick clear windshield, that will save you minutes every day.

When driving leave big gaps. Accelerate and brake slowly. Look at the stop lights of the car three cars ahead. Your aim is to keep rolling slowly rather than drive stop start like you would in good weather. Imagine you've got a cup of water balanced on your dashboard, your aim is to spill nothing.

If you start to skid remove the cause of the skid - in snow that's usually too much steering angle or too much brake although ABS does a good job of improving braking on modern cars (I have a Volvo 940 Wagon without it and it's also rear wheel drive - very different driving experience to a modern car but being Swedish actually very good because the steering isn't affected by the engine drive).

Plan on taking twice as long to drive anywhere. Plan on it taking 3 times longer to stop. Don’t spike the brake. Step on the pedal gently.

You will want snow tires. Ask locals if they use snow chains or studs in their tires. Laws vary by location.

I keep a foldable snow shovel and tow strap in my car in the winter. I normally keep winter clothes with me. A blanket and hand warmers are good to have also.

Replace the battery if it is 5 years old or older. Have good all season radial tires.

Hey, Kiddo. I'm a son of Kentucky living in Southwestern Montana.

Have a block heater installed as soon as possible after you move. Plug it in whenever the weather drops to 15 degrees or below. They will tell you it's ok to plug it in an hour before you're supposed to drive, but it makes a difference if you leave it plugged overnight.

When it gets below freezing, start your car 30 minutes before you need to go anywhere.

Plan for slower trips. It's best to slow down and get there - too many people end up on the side of the road before they think they can still drive at full speed.

If you can, invest in snow studded tires. They will be worth it.

Keep up with your fluids. And have a tune up by early October.

When the weather is bad, don't go anywhere with less than half a tank. That way, if you get stranded, you will be able to keep warm until help arrives.

Keep a winter emergency kit in your car too.

Carry a lighter, kitty litter, shovel, cardboard, rubber matts, blankets, extra socks and gloves. Also, have a very light foot. You want your tires to get as much grip on the road as possible. Flooring it will make getting stuck or spinning out more likely.

Undercoating and a good set of winters. All seasons really aren’t worth it for the kind of snow/weather we get in the colder months.

Rust proofing is important

Like everyone mentioned, undercoating. Lots of places do it, all worth it.

Good winter tires. Good windshield wipers. Wash the salt off when you can.

If you live in the northern salt belt... get fluid film undercoating. Keeps the salt off your sensitive under bits.

Any weird noise, or vibration, or check engine light, get it checked out. A small repair now can keep it from becoming a major repair later on.

Don't baby the engine otherwise carbon will build up. Just give it a good mix of the entire accelerator pedal on a regular basis. Only time you should baby it is when it's not up to temp yet.

Change your oil and do all the maintenance recommended by your owners manual it will tell you what needs to be done at what kms

spend some time over at /r/mechanicadvice , the number of posts "got this big list of maintenence what do i do" is pretty high. sadly no one really teaches how to maintain a vehicle, and not enough people will take the time to actually sit down and read their owners manual (or they bought the vehicle used and it has been long since lost)

Do your maintenance, most important part. Never use any nonsense in a bottle that claims it makes it run better , never use any stop leak products. No modifications which only make it run worse guaranteed.

If you live in snow, winter tires.

Car wash - only if you can park in a garage and even then open the doors and trunk and wipe down the frames to avoid the doors freezing shut. Otherwise wait til it gets above freezing Gas - keep at least half a tank if not 3/4 full or more Air your tires - cold air makes tires go soft. Have a plug in portable air station available. Even new cars with new tires can lose pressure Running the car - I think it depends on the age of your car. Maybe let it run for 30 seconds to a minute if it’s newer, a bit more if it’s older. If you don’t drive regularly I’d start your car maybe every other day for 5-10 minutes to keep the battery charged up.

All times are best guesses

Don't wash your car when the outside temperature is below zero.

I did this once, and it somehow froze up my heating fan. Couldn't use the defrost. Luckily I was able to park it in an underground garage while I was at work and it thawed

I always bring a big coat, hat and mittens with me in my car when it's really cold. Just in case I have a car emergency. Have never needed them, but I am ready.

Check your tire pressure. It often goes low in very cold weather.

Water freezes. You can freeze your windows and doors closed, make your tires slick etc

Reduces the chance of condensation forming inside the tank which can lead to fuels system issues. Not sure if it’s fact… my dad told me to do it growing up in Michigan winters and I’ve kept doing it

I grew up a bit further north and this is what I've always been told but not sure how much any of it really matters.

* Don't wash vehicles when it is below freezing. When it warms up a bit get a good wash including your undercarriage to get the salt off to avoid rusting.
* If you park outside give it a couple minutes to warm up before driving, oil is less viscous when it gets cold and is less effective at lubricating the engine.
* If it gets really cold (like -50 or colder before the wind-chill) it is possible for some gasoline types to freeze so you would need to keep it warm but I've never had that happen.

The big thing to be ready for is driving if the roads get slick, but based on how mild it's been we might not get any fun this far south this year.

* It takes longer to stop/start/turn, kind of like driving a boat.
* Just give yourself a bit of extra travel time and leave a bit of space between you and other cars if possible.
* When going up hills get a bit of momentum and don't stop, try to avoid any steep hills if possible.
* Keep a small shovel in your trunk
* Floor mats can be put under wheels for traction to get out of a snowbank but it can damage the mats a bit. If you care about your floor mats get some cheap ones and keep them with your shovel.

Tap the wheel wells and hood of your vehicles before starting the engine. Stray cats shelter near the engine for warmth.

I read a weird thing today that a lot of people are not aware of the “defrost” function with their cars. Hard to imagine but I guess it always helps to spread the things you know.

So with that, turn your defrost on when it’s frozen outside. If unclear how, consult your user manual or the Google machine.

It was so cold it started snowing in Yukon a day ago, damn!

So fun times. Found out the gas I got for my generator had water in it. 6 hours with no power yesterday.

Thanks friend! I had forgotten! Even told my husband earlier that we needed to, so I’m gonna blame him 😎

I'd definitely read the wiki about all the ways to protect in the winter, but in short, it will but not for long. Wax/spray waxes tend to last anywhere from 1 week to a month of protection. If you really want protection from the salt, I would look into a ceramic coating, or even an Si02 hydrophobic sealant (such as CarPro HydrO2 Lite). That gives some good protection.

However, the best protection from road salt is to keep the salt off the car as long as possible (use a rinsless wash — such as ONR — any day it's above freezing), or get yourself a clear bra/wrap on the areas that will see the salt the most.

A wax now won’t protect your car through the end of the month depending on where you live. I’d recommend a strong sealant as that will more than likely last through the winter.

Is your garage heated? Believe it or not, but heated garages actually speed up oxidization. Rinse off the salt and leave it parked outside.

A lot of people talking about a wax that lasts one month, but no one has mentioned a specific product. AG HD wax lasts a good 4 months with regular washing, Bilt Hamber finnis wax is on it’s 4th month with very good water behaviour still.

Find a durable product and you will be better off. I would also find a top up product that works with whatever wax/sealant/coating you apply and top up the protection after each wash. If you have the time/money/know/how to put a proper coating on that is your best bet, but knowing how to maintain a product is just as important.

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Yes I have learned that parking facing East makes my mornings much easier!

Great tips. This list has been brought to you by Gritty Kitty Litter xD I've also gotten unstuck by driving plastic storage container lids under my tires, didn't know what else to use. Got 4 of them and got onto my chains. Felt so relieved when it worked omg.

Keep chains and keep extra clothing and blankets and food and water in the event you're stuck. Great list my man I really love these tip!! Thank you!!

Your car only needs about thirty seconds to “warm up”, basically allowing the oil to circulate a few times through the engine. Anything longer isn’t necessary, the car’s ECU knows how to adjust timing and RPMs to handle the cold.

If you have a turbo, don’t rev it too high until the oil has reached normal operating temp, but you can still drive.

Letting your oil warm before driving keeps oil pressure from spiking and potentially blowing seals inside the engine. Especially for diesels when cold, they can have double the oil pressure than when warm, and you absolutely will blow seals if you hop in and go too hard.

All these people saying modern vehicles have no problems running immediately after starting are right, but that 1 time that blows a head gasket and you'll wish you let it idle.

My husband uses remote start in the morning so the car is warm when he gets in. There’s not a benefit to the engine or car, he just doesn’t want to be cold for half his commute.

The only benefit is a warmer interior. Some people dig, some people don’t, some people can’t.

Here in Norway you would have to preheat your car a lot of the time, as it is very snowy and icy and it helps clear off the windshield/windows while you're scraping ice and snow off your car. When that's not necessary, I just preheat it for a couple minutes to get everything going.