Is Your Car Ready for a Salt Lake City Winter? A Pre-Winter Auto Checkup Guide

Is Your Car Ready for a Salt Lake City Winter? A Pre-Winter Auto Checkup Guide

Winter in the Wasatch Front is a beautiful time of year. From the stunning snow-covered peaks of the Cottonwood Canyons to the festive atmosphere downtown, there’s a lot to enjoy. But for your car, our Salt Lake City winters present a unique set of challenges. Freezing temperatures, snow, ice, and road salt can push even the most reliable vehicle to its limits.

Getting a pre-winter checkup isn't just about avoiding a breakdown on I-15 during a snowstorm; it's about ensuring your safety and the safety of your passengers. This guide will walk you through the key areas to focus on to make sure your car is prepared for a Utah winter.

The Salt Lake City Winter Survival Kit for Your Car

Before we get under the hood, let’s talk about what you should keep inside your car. Even a well-maintained vehicle can run into trouble. We recommend keeping an emergency kit in your trunk that includes:

• A sturdy ice scraper and snow brush
  
• A small bag of sand or kitty litter for traction if you get stuck in ice or snow
  
• A flashlight with extra batteries
  
• Jumper cables
  
• A first-aid kit
  
• Warm blankets, gloves, and a hat
  
• Some non-perishable snacks and water

The Essential Pre-Winter Checkup List

Think of this as your car’s preseason training regimen. Addressing these points will help your vehicle perform its best when the temperatures drop.

1. Battery Performance Check

The cold is your car battery’s worst enemy. A battery that started your car just fine in October might not have the power to turn over a cold engine on a 20-degree morning in Midvale. Cold cranking amps (CCA) are the measure of a battery's ability to start an engine in cold weather. As temperatures fall, engine oil thickens, making the engine harder to turn over and placing more demand on the battery.

What to do: Have your battery tested professionally. We can check its voltage and CCA rating to see if it has the strength to last another winter.

2. Tire Tread and Pressure

Your tires are your only connection to the road. When that road is covered in snow or ice, you need all the grip you can get.

• Tread Depth: Worn-down tires are a major hazard in winter conditions. Use the “coin test”—insert a quarter into the tread groove with Washington’s head upside down. If you can see the top of his head, your tread is too low for safe winter driving.
  
• Tire Pressure: For every 10-degree drop in temperature, your tire pressure decreases by about one pound per square inch (PSI). The sudden cold snaps we see in Salt Lake County can leave your tires significantly under-inflated, leading to poor handling and reduced fuel efficiency. Check your tire pressure regularly as the seasons change.
  
  

3. The Strength of Your Antifreeze/Coolant

This fluid does more than just prevent your engine from overheating in the summer. It also contains additives that prevent freezing in the winter. A weak coolant mixture can freeze inside your engine block, leading to catastrophic and expensive damage.

What to do: We can test your coolant’s freezing point with a simple tool to ensure it’s strong enough to handle a cold night in Taylorsville or Clearfield.

4. Wiper Blades and Washer Fluid

 You need clear visibility to handle slick roads and the spray from other vehicles on Bangerter Highway.

• Wiper Blades: If your wipers are streaking or skipping, they need to be replaced. Consider installing winter wiper blades, which are designed to prevent ice and snow buildup.
  
• Washer Fluid: Switch to a winter-grade washer fluid with a de-icer. Plain water will freeze instantly in your reservoir and lines, leaving you with no way to clear a muddy or salty windshield.
  
  

5. A Thorough Brake Inspection

Reliable brakes are critical year-round, but they are especially important on icy roads where stopping distances are much longer. Have your brake pads, rotors, and fluid inspected for wear. If you hear any grinding or feel your brake pedal pulsate, it’s time for a checkup immediately.

6. Checking Belts and Hoses

The rubber components under your hood become brittle in the cold. A cracked serpentine belt or a weak radiator hose is more likely to fail on a freezing morning, leaving you stranded. A visual inspection can identify cracks or bulges before they turn into a major problem.

Don't Get Caught in the Cold

Taking these proactive steps now can save you from the stress, inconvenience, and danger of a winter breakdown. A little preparation goes a long way toward ensuring your car gets you where you need to go safely all season long.

Schedule Your Winter Car Checkup in Salt Lake City Today

Don't wait for the first big snowstorm to discover a problem with your vehicle. The expert technicians at Jones Complete Car Care are here to help. We will perform a comprehensive winter preparation inspection, checking your battery, tires, brakes, and all critical fluids. We serve drivers from across Salt Lake County, with convenient locations in Salt Lake City, Taylorsville, and Clearfield.



Contact us today to schedule your pre-winter checkup and drive with confidence all season long.