The kids and I had a bit of a scary experience a few weeks ago. We were driving to school, and I noticed my windshield was covered with a film of dirt and the salt they put down to melt ice on the roads. No problem, I thought, as I pushed my car’s Windshield Washer button.
The windshield cleaning fluid sprayer worked, but all the windshield wipers did was spread a huge smear of dirt across the entire windshield. I couldn’t see anything in front of me!
Luckily, I was able to safely pull over, clean my windshield, and get us back on our way to school. This little incident taught me how important it is to get your car ready for winter. All it takes are a few simple preparations to keep your vehicle running efficiently and safely.
I never would have thought that neglecting my windshield wipers could create such a safety hazard for myself and my kids. I have now replaced my warped windshield wipers and made sure my husband replaced the wipers on his truck.
All vehicles need to have good wiper blades to combat winter’s snow and icy rain. It only takes a moment to test them out and make sure they work properly. 
Winter Car Care Tip: Get a Car Wash Regularly
Since it snows pretty often where we live, the roads can be snowy, icy, slushy or a combination of all the above. The salt and sand that gets put on the road to melt the ice can wreak havoc on vehicles, especially on the underbelly.
I like to take my van through a car wash in winter to get rid of all the gunk that builds up under there. This prevents rust and helps maintain the overall value of my vehicle.
I learned that my local WaterSavers car wash uses less water per car wash than a load of laundry! Car washes that use less water are better for the environment. Click to find a WaterSavers car wash location near you.
No matter where you live, it’s a good idea to get regular car washes to keep windshields, mirrors and lights clean for better visibility and safe driving. A winter car wash and wax is a great first line of defense against the elements like ice, salt, slush and sand. 
A clean car is my happy place.
Besides replacing my windshield wipers and a car wash, there are a few other things I need to do to get my van ready for winter. This fun infographic breaks it down into 6 easy tips for how to prepare your car for winter. Have you followed these car car tips for cold weather? Which ones do you need to add to your To Do list?
For more helpful tips on winterizing your car, please visit the WaterSavers website.
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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of International Carwash Association: WaterSavers. The opinions and text are all mine.
Ann Fantom says
I prepare for winter driving by making sure I have good wiper blades and that the windshield wiper fluid is topped off.
Charlotte Winters says
I take my car to the dealership to get it winterized.
elizabeth miller says
For winter, we usually do a big clean up by waxing and buffing the cars. We also clean out the inside good with vacuming and armoralling the interior.
Lauren says
I make sure the tires are in good shape before winter.
beth shepherd says
I prepare my car for winter by making sure I have a blanket and gloves in the car. I also make sure my tires are good to go. Thank you
Linda Szymoniak says
Before cold weather hits, I make sure to get my vehicle in for an oil change (if needed) and make sure all my fluids are full, including window washer fluid. I also check tires (I just got two new tires before we got our first real snow and it was so nice having them. Normally, I also give it a good waxing but since I recently had to have some repair work, including painting done, I held off on the waxing. I’ll get that done when we get a warm spell.
denise low says
We check all the fluids and we make sure that we have the right amount of air in the tires and we also keep it in the garage.
Steve Weber says
I make sure to check and change all the fluid levels as well as make sure I have my tires rotated.
Donna L says
We live in Florida, so we don’t do much. Our tire pressure and our windshield wipers are checked for wear.
Tonya Mcminn says
We make sure our tires are winterized and also check the fluids.
Candice says
I put a couple of small blankets in my car, and check the fluid levels.
Roxanne Williamson says
What a useful giveaway
Kelly D says
I have snow tires put on my car and put extra windshield wiper fluid in my car.
Lynne B says
Besides checking all the fluids and tire pressure, we put a snow emergency kit in the trunk. It contains cat litter, a folding shovel, one of those survival blanket thingys, hand/feet warmers and granola bars. Oh, and we put the car in the garage. lol
Rachel says
I get my car ready for winter by putting winterized windshield washer fluid in the reservoir and placing kitty litter in the trunk in case I get stuck.
Amanda Alvarado says
Well we don’t really get winter weather so we don’t do anything different! We always have a blanket and towel in the car too. We do usually need to add air to the tires when we go from 90 to 40 overnight – the pressure change usually makes at least one of them low on air for some weird reason!
Devon F says
Make sure maintenance is up to date & a good set of wipers
Darcy Koch says
Before winter I take my van into the shop to be winterized. I’m not exactly sure what all is done, but it sure does help.
jeremy mclaughlin says
We check the tires and clean the car out.
Sarah Hayes says
I make sure it has good tires and that the heater is working great
Debbie F says
Where I live you don’t really need to do anything to get your car ready for winter. It doesn’t get very cold. So I just have the basics for everyday preparedness. Spare tire, jack, first aid kit, etc.
thanks!
cheryl s says
we put emergency supplies in the trunk including blankets and a shovel and cat litter
Marilyn Nawara says
I take it into the dealership for an oil change, rotate tires, fluid checks and a once over to make sure it’s in good shape.
Cheryl says
We follow a winter weather checklist including preparedness kits in the backs of our cars.
Wendy R. says
We have no snow here, so getting ready for Summer is more appropriate. You have to prepare or burn your hands off on the steering wheel. lol We do make sure that we have good tires, windshield wipers, etc. all year round.
Viki S. says
I really don’t do anything. I always have a winter box in the back. It never comes out. I take it to the dealer for air pressure and other stuff.
Trinity Rosario says
Winter tires and a tune up every few years!
Kymi A says
We prepare by getting our oil change, topping off all the fluids, new wipers and rotating tires.
Michelle C says
Honestly, I leave that to my husband. I know he checks the fluids and makes sure the tires and wipers are in good working condition.
Tracy Shafer says
I make sure all the fluids are filled, oil is changed, tires are good and inflated well..
Rajee Pandi says
take car to the dealership to make sure everything is good
Kim K says
I live in the south so I don’t need to do much. I make sure there is an ice scraper in the car and a couple of blankets.
Kristi Kellberg says
I winterize my car by checking all the fluid levels, including the battery, checking the tires for tread, and replacing the windshield wiper blades. I also make sure I have an ice scraper because we tend to get more ice than snow during the winter.
Anne says
Winterizing the car starts with getting the snow tires on. We also make sure the defrosting system is in good working order, and put our winter kit in the back–a blanket, flashlight, socks, and gloves, just in case.
Amy Deeter says
i get a tune up, change the oil, and change the tires
Michael Bratek says
My Ford dealer sends me coupons to get my car prepared for the winter, so it is ready in the toughest winter conditions!
Susan Smith says
I make sure to check all the fluid levels, get an oil change as well as make sure I have my tires rotated.
tiffany dayton says
We check the tires a hoses and put anti freeze in .
Jennifer H. says
We makes sure to get an oil change and check all the levels.
John H. says
I check the levels and check tires and make sure we have supplies for weather in the car.
Ashley S says
My husband gets our car winter weather ready by changing the oil, putting on snow tires and getting the card detailed.
Lesley F says
I always take my car in and get the tires checked for winter
Steve Buckshire says
For us taking our car into Discount Tire for some winter tires is always a must!
Brian Golden says
Thanks- Nicole, for glossing some lovely heads on winter car maintenance. I think when it comes to driving, the winter is considered as the worst spell of the year. Because winter is that time of the year, where you have to deal with snow, black ice, poor visibility etc. Thus, if you avoid doing the winter maintenance upgrades, then your speed machine will fail to beat the on-road provocations of the hog season. Thus, starting from oil change to coolant system service, everything you have to do carefully so that your vehicle can get through the winter solstice without suffering from a severe discomfort.