Winter car checklist: what NHTSA says to check

Why prepare

The numbers from one winter.

NHTSA reports that in 2023 there were 320 fatal crashes and an estimated 22,293 injury crashes in snow or sleet conditions, and about 101,390 police-reported crashes in all. Its advice for the road is short: slow down, leave more following distance, and give snow plows room — they travel slowly, turn wide, stop often, and overlap lanes.

Tires first

Pressure falls with the temperature.

• Fill each tire to the pressure on the label in the driver’s door frame or in the owner’s manual, not the maximum molded into the tire.
• Check at least once a month and before long trips, with the tires cold — not driven for at least three hours.
• Tread should be at least 2/32 of an inch on every tire. Look for cuts, punctures, bulges, scrapes, cracks, and bumps, and check the spare.
• Check each tire’s age: some vehicle manufacturers recommend replacing tires every six years regardless of use.
• Consider snow tires; NHTSA’s tire ratings compare treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance.

See which PSI is right and why the light comes on.

Battery, wipers, coolant, lights

The checks a shop can do in one visit.

• Battery: cold weather cuts battery power and makes engines harder to start. Have a mechanic check the battery, charging system, and belts.
• Wipers: fill the reservoir with winter fluid with de-icer, make sure the defrosters work, replace worn blades, and consider heavy-duty winter blades where snow and ice are common.
• Coolant: enough of the type the manufacturer specifies; check for leaks and worn hoses.
• Lights: headlights, brake lights, turn signals, flashers, interior lights, and trailer lights.
• Floor mats: thicker or rubber mats are fine if they fit and are held by the retention clips, so they cannot catch the pedals.

Know whether your car has antilock brakes: with them, apply firm, continuous pressure; without them, you may need to pump the brakes if the wheels start to lock.

The winter kit

NHTSA’s list.

• a snow shovel, broom, and ice scraper;
• sand or kitty litter, for traction if you get stuck;
• jumper cables, a flashlight, and warning devices such as flares and emergency markers;
• a first aid kit, including a tourniquet;
• blankets;
• a cell phone and charger, water, food, and any necessary medicine.

Keep the gas tank close to full. Electric car owners should keep the battery charged and, NHTSA suggests, plug in at night in freezing weather so the battery stays warm without draining itself; range falls in the cold, as winter mileage explains.

If you are stranded

Stay with the car, and watch the exhaust.

1. Stay with the car and do not overexert yourself.
2. Make the car visible: bright markers on the antenna or windows, and the dome light on.
3. Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow and run the engine only sporadically, just long enough to stay warm. Do not run it for long with the windows up or in an enclosed space: carbon monoxide builds up.

Before a trip, check the weather and traffic, tell someone your route and arrival time, and postpone travel that is not essential. Dress children in thin warm layers for car seats, with blankets over the harness, because bulky coats keep the harness from fitting snugly.