The To-do List Before Your February Adventure

Temperatures well below freezing in many parts of the west, midwest, and northeastern regions underscore the importance of maintaining your vehicle for all weather conditions.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 17 percent of all car accidents happen in winter conditions. Keep reading for our recommended list of February driving maintenance and safety tips.

The following recommendations apply even if you don’t live somewhere that has frosty weather, but are particularly important for drivers who do live in cold climates.

Maintenance reminders

Engine oil. Checking and changing it regularly is important to the health of your vehicle year round, but is even more crucial when temperatures drop during winter.

Most vehicle manufacturers recommend having your oil and filter changed every 6 months or 5000 miles driven – whichever comes first.

Coolant. Although keeping an eye on your coolant level and freshness is important year round, a coolant leak can lead to serious consequences if you live or travel to climates where temperatures may dip below zero.

Ask your technician to check coolant before heading out for a mountain adventure. Check your owner’s manual; coolant change may be recommended every 30,000 to 50 000 miles of driving.

Tires. Check your tire pressure and tread depth regularly. According to the NHTSA this should be done once a month. A simple coin test (see Penny Test article) takes out the guesswork -- see article.

If you plan on spending a lot of road time in snowy conditions, invest in winter tires. In any case, check tread to make sure they have enough life to get you where you need to go.

Brakes. Have a snow-filled weekend getaway planned for Valentine’s Day or Presidents’ Day? Have your technician check your brakes first.

Listen for grinding, squealing noises and vibration–all signs your vehicle may need some brake maintenance, Be sure the pads, rotors and calipers are all in good shape before your expedition.

Washer fluid. Make sure your washer fluid reservoir is topped off with product rated for cold temperatures before doing any winter driving.

Keep an extra jug of fluid in the trunk for long trips in case you get caught in a blizzard and go through fluid faster than normal.

Battery. Cold temperatures mean batteries must work harder to start your vehicle.

Have your technician check the battery and alternator to be sure they’re both working properly. A weak battery often gives no warning before it fails to start your car, so having one you can count on is vital.

Safety reminders

Supplies. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends stocking your vehicle with winter survival supplies before taking any long winter trips.

Battery cables or a portable battery booster for a jump start, flashlights with fresh batteries, emergency blankets, high-calorie packaged snacks and road flares are good things to keep in your car during winter.

De-Ice all surfaces. Be extra diligent about removing all ice, frost and snow from your front and rear windshields.

Clear ice from front and rear lights, wiper blades and backup camera before getting back on the road. Caked ice prevents wiper blades from operating properly and diminishes visibility.

Shovel & Kitty Litter. Driving in the Midwest this February might eventually mean getting stuck in the snow.

Keep a trunk-sized snow shovel and a bag of kitty litter in your vehicle to give yourself a fighting chance of getting free. Sprinkling kitty litter under your tires can sometimes add enough traction to get your car moving when it’s stuck.

Drive According to the Conditions. Even if you have winter tires and 4-wheel drive, don’t assume you’re invincible.

Drive slower than normal when the road is anything other than dry pavement. During inclement weather, leave additional space between you and the vehicle in front of you, too.