Essential Tools for Winter Car Prep: Get Ready for the Cold Weather

Preparing your vehicle for cold weather is essential to keeping it reliable, safe, and healthy. This article includes a list of must-have tools to prevent winter from catching you off guard, reducing the odds of getting stranded, and making your winter riding experience enjoyable and hassle-free.

Engine Care Tools: Fixing Cranking-Up Problems

Starting problems are more common in winter because the cold affects the battery’s internal chemistry, thickens the engine fluids and, under extreme conditions, can even freeze the fuel. As the engine oil gets thicker, the engine’s internal components become harder to move, and the starter motor needs to exert more force to crank the engine up, resulting in more strain on the battery.

Below, you will find a list of tools to help you prevent cold cranking issues.

1. Battery Charger / Tender

Keeping the battery fully charged or above 90% ensures it has enough power to crank the engine at low temperatures (up to -20°F and -29°C), can hold a charge longer, and extend its service life. Also, keeping the battery charged over 90% lowers its freezing point to approximately -65ºC or -85ºF, making it practically unfreezable. Under a charge of 80%, the battery is susceptible to damage, sulfation, and fast self-discharge rates.

Modern vehicles have many electronic systems and modules that consume battery power even when unused. Although their standby power consumption is low, it’s high enough to discharge the battery under the 90% safety threshold after a few days or weeks, especially if the vehicle is not a daily driver. Considering all these, having a battery charger or tender to keep the battery topped is crucial to prevent battery problems, especially in winter.

There are different types of battery chargers available, from conventional models, where you have to select the charging amps and time by hand, to “intelligent” products that analyze the battery status, condition, and temperature and automatically choose a charging program. The advantage of the most advanced models is that they have desulfation modes to restore worn-out batteries and automatically switch to a tender mode when the battery is fully charged. These chargers frequently monitor the battery state and can be left plugged safely into the vehicle for extended times without overheating the battery or posing any hazard.

2. Battery Heater

If your garage temperature is below -18°C or 0°F, a battery heater, thermal battery blanket, or wrap is a great way to keep your battery safe. You only have to plug it into a power outlet and wrap it around your battery. This will keep it warm and prevent it from freezing.

A battery heater is also a great tool for keeping the battery warm while charging it, as charging batteries when it’s too cold may cause damage or reduce their lifespan.

3. Engine Block Heater / Thermal Blanket

These devices are excellent for freezing cold environments where engine oil and coolant may become too dense and strain the starter motor and the battery excessively. Keeping the engine fluids warm helps it start faster and reduces the extra tear and wear caused by very cold starts. Some models include a battery heater, and others work as one depending on the battery’s location.

4. Heat Gun

A heat gun can help warm up the engine block, intake hose, and fuel lines in extreme cold. However, it must be used with extreme care and far enough to prevent it from burning or melting plastics or igniting fuel or other flammable items.

It’s also practical to defrost components such as radiator fans, Diesel injectors and heaters, and other elements.

Getting Ready For The Road

Depending on the region, you may need to change your all-season or summer tires for winter ones. Also, keeping the proper pressure on your tires is crucial for enhanced grip and handling.

Below, you will find some excellent tools for getting your car on the road in no time.

1. Impact Wrench

An impact wrench is perfect for quickly changing tires, especially in winter, when the lug bolts or nuts may become stuck due to sudden temperature changes, road conditions, and other factors.

An impact wrench is also valuable for many jobs and repairs on your car and is a must-have for any car enthusiast.

2. Air Compressor

Whether you have pneumatic or electric power tools, an air compressor with an accurate pressure gauge is essential to keep your tires perfectly inflated. Depending on your garage setup, tastes, and needs, you can choose a large compressor, a smaller 12V portable one, or both.

In the case of portable compressors, always try to invest a little more, but make sure that you buy a high-quality and sturdy product, especially if your vehicle is equipped with large or low-profile tires that require quite a lot of pressure.

3. Tire Stud Gun

Tire studs are an efficient way to get extra grip when driving on icy roads. However, not all winter tires are designed to handle studs. It’s crucial to check your tire specs and local regulations about using studs. They are not allowed in some places, and in others, some restrictions apply.

If you have a stud-compatible set of tires and want to use studs, you will need a tire stud gun. The most common stud guns are pneumatic; however, you can find portable, cordless models like the ones used on dirt bikes, which allow you to apply the studs anywhere.

Winter Maintenance

Ice is usually removed from the road using chemicals, and some products include salt or other corrosives. That’s why it’s essential to clean your vehicle frequently and take proactive measures to prevent rust from building up on the undercarriage and other elements.

Here are some tools that will help you make the job easier.

Power Drill

A power drill fitted with brushes, grinders, and attachments that allow you to access hard-to-reach zones is an excellent aid for removing salt, dirt, and grime from your vehicle.

Electric Snow Blower

This tool is excellent for removing heavy snow and potential corrosive agents from your vehicle and its surroundings. It will also help you clean your driveway and open space so that you can easily leave your home after a heavy snowstorm. It’s also a great tool to prevent ice buildups if you leave your car outside, preventing ice from forming around the tires and below your vehicle.

Get Ready for the Winter..

As you can see, there are many tools that can help you keep your ride ready to go, even in the harshest winters. Also, remember that keeping your battery charged is key for your vehicle to start every time you turn the ignition on.