DARCARS Nissan of Rockville

Dec 22, 2023

If you want your vehicle to perform well throughout the year, then you need to ensure your vehicle is prepared for every season. During the winter, cold weather car prep can help ensure your engine and battery are functional even in the cold. Learn more about car winterizing and when you should start this process. 

Snow on Road Rockville, MD - Winter Car Prep

Cold Weather Car Prep Tips: Winterizing Your Nissan

The key to winterizing your vehicle is to check on the major systems of your vehicle and swap out some components that are specially designed to withstand freezing temperatures. For example, it’s a good idea to test the health of your battery to ensure your battery holds enough charge from the alternator to start your car, even in the cold. Other preparation steps include:

Switch to Winter Tires

Since snow is common in Maryland, it might be a good idea to switch your all-season tires to winter tires. Winter tires are designed to stay flexible in cold weather, which will help your tires maintain good traction on slick, icy, or snowy roads. 

If you don’t want to use winter tires, you can ask a mechanic to examine the tread on your regular tires. You may need to purchase a new set if the tread on your tires is running low.

Change Your Motor Oil 

It’s also a good idea to change the type of motor oil your car uses. In the winter, high-viscosity motor oil might get too thick to work properly in your engine. Switching to a low-viscosity motor oil will help with cold starts and protect the performance of your engine throughout the winter. 

Emergency Kit

Aside from winterizing the mechanical components of your vehicle, you should also ensure you have an emergency fit in your truck optimized for winter weather. Bottles of water, non-perishable snacks, extra batteries, a flashlight, blankets, extra clothes, jumper cables, and a charging bank for your devices are all crucial if you run into trouble on winter roads. These resources can be helpful if you need to wait for roadside assistance. 

When Should You Start Car Winterizing?

While some drivers may wait to start winterizing their vehicles until winter officially begins on the calendar, it’s much better to pay attention to the weather. Yearly weather patterns don’t always follow the start of the season, which means cold nights can come during autumn instead of winter. To prepare your car for an early freeze, it’s best to start winterizing your vehicle as soon as possible.

Get Your Nissan Winterized in Rockville, MD Today

From emergency kits to routine maintenance, there are several things you can do to prepare your vehicle for the winter. Get in touch with DARCARS Nissan of Rockville to schedule a winterizing service for your Nissan today.