Is Your Vehicle Ready for an Indiana Winter? 12 Things to Check Before the Cold Arrives
Winter in Northeast Indiana has a way of arriving quickly.
One week you're enjoying comfortable fall temperatures. A few weeks later, you're scraping frost from the windshield before work and wondering why your tire pressure light suddenly appeared.
Snow and ice get most of the attention when people think about winter driving, but cold temperatures can affect your vehicle in plenty of other ways. Batteries have to work harder. Tire pressure changes. Worn wiper blades become much more noticeable. A heater or defroster problem that didn't matter in July suddenly becomes impossible to ignore.
That's why the best time to prepare your vehicle for winter is before winter actually arrives.
For drivers around Angola and throughout Northeast Indiana, fall provides an opportunity to check some of the most important parts of your car, truck, or SUV before freezing temperatures become part of everyday life.
At The Auto Brokers of Angola, we know Indiana drivers need vehicles that can handle changing seasons. Here are 12 things worth checking before another Indiana winter arrives.
1. Start With Your Tires
Your tires are the only parts of your vehicle that actually make contact with the road, which makes them especially important once roads become cold, wet, snowy, or icy.
Start by looking at tread depth and overall condition.
Check for uneven wear, cracks, bulges, embedded objects, or other visible damage.
Tread helps your tires maintain contact with the road and move water and slush away from the contact area. Worn tires can make maintaining traction more difficult, particularly when conditions become slippery.
Don't forget about tire age either.
A tire can have remaining tread and still be old enough to require attention.
If you aren't sure about the condition of your tires, fall is a good time to have them inspected rather than waiting until the first major snowfall.
2. Pay Attention to Tire Pressure
If you've ever experienced an Indiana cold snap and suddenly seen your tire-pressure warning light appear, you aren't alone.
Tire pressure changes as temperatures change.
That's one reason tire-pressure warnings can become more common when fall transitions into winter.
Check your tire pressure regularly and inflate the tires according to the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations.
The recommended pressure can usually be found on a label inside the driver's door area or in the owner's manual.
Don't assume the number printed on the tire sidewall is the pressure you should use.
Proper inflation helps your tires perform as intended and can also affect tire wear, handling, and fuel efficiency.
Remember to check pressure when the tires are cold for the most useful reading.
3. Have Your Battery Checked
A weak battery might make it through summer without giving you much trouble.
Then the temperature drops.
Suddenly the engine is cranking slowly, the lights seem weaker, or the vehicle won't start at all.
Cold weather can expose a battery that was already nearing the end of its useful life.
Fall is a smart time to have the battery tested, particularly if you've noticed slow starting or don't know how old the battery is.
You can also visually inspect the battery area for corrosion or obvious damage.
While you're preparing for winter, consider keeping jumper cables or a portable jump starter in the vehicle.
Even if your battery is healthy, you may eventually be able to help someone else who wasn't as prepared.
4. Check Your Antifreeze and Coolant
The cooling system isn't something you should forget about just because summer is ending.
Coolant plays an important role year-round.
In addition to helping regulate engine temperature, the proper coolant mixture provides protection against freezing in cold weather.
That's why antifreeze levels and condition deserve attention before temperatures drop.
If you're not comfortable checking the system yourself, have a qualified technician inspect it.
Never open a pressurized cooling system while the engine is hot.
Different vehicles may also require different types of coolant, so don't assume any bottle on the shelf is appropriate for your particular vehicle.
Follow the manufacturer's specifications.
5. Inspect Your Windshield Wipers
You probably don't think much about your wiper blades on a clear September afternoon.
You'll think about them immediately during the first mixture of cold rain and snow.
Wiper blades wear over time, and damaged blades can leave streaks or fail to clear the windshield effectively.
Look for signs such as:
If the wipers aren't doing their job now, they're unlikely to improve once winter arrives.
SUV and crossover owners should also remember the rear wiper.
That small blade can make a big difference when snow, slush, and road spray begin collecting on the rear window.
6. Fill the Windshield Washer Fluid
Good wipers don't help much if you don't have washer fluid.
Winter roads can cover a windshield with a mixture of salt, dirt, water, and road grime.
Make sure your washer-fluid reservoir is full before cold weather arrives.
More importantly, use a washer fluid designed for the temperatures you expect to encounter.
Some products intended for warm weather may not provide the same freeze protection as winter-rated washer fluid.
This is a small and inexpensive thing to check, but you'll appreciate having it the first time a truck in front of you sprays salty slush across your windshield.
7. Test Your Heater and Defroster
Your heater isn't only a comfort feature.
Your vehicle's defrost and defogging systems are important for maintaining visibility.
Before the first freezing morning, turn on your climate-control system and make sure everything works.
Does the heater produce warm air?
Does air come through the correct vents?
Does the front defroster work?
Does the rear-window defroster function?
If your vehicle has heated mirrors, you may want to verify those as well.
A problem with the air conditioning system can sometimes affect windshield defogging too, since many climate-control systems use the A/C system to help remove moisture from cabin air.
Finding a problem in September or October is much better than discovering it when your windshield is covered in frost.
8. Check Your Brakes
Winter traction gets a lot of attention, but stopping is just as important as getting moving.
If your brakes are already showing signs of wear, winter isn't the season to ignore them.
Pay attention to symptoms such as:
Squeaking or grinding
Vibration while braking
A soft or unusual brake pedal
The vehicle pulling while braking
Brake warning lights
Changes in stopping performance
Any significant change in braking behavior deserves attention.
Slippery winter roads can already increase the distance required to stop. You don't want a mechanical braking problem adding another complication.
Fall is a good opportunity to have the braking system inspected if you have concerns.
9. Check Every Exterior Light
Indiana winters mean shorter days.
That can translate into more driving before sunrise and after sunset.
Add snow, rain, fog, and road spray, and visibility becomes even more important.
Walk around your vehicle and check:
Low-beam headlights
High beams
Taillights
Brake lights
Turn signals
Hazard lights
Reverse lights
Fog lights, if equipped
Replace burned-out bulbs and clean dirty lenses.
If your headlights have become cloudy or hazy over time, you may also notice reduced nighttime visibility.
Remember, exterior lights have two jobs.
They help you see, and they help everyone else see you.
10. Don't Ignore Belts and Hoses
Belts and hoses aren't exciting, but they're important.
Rubber components can deteriorate over time, and extreme temperatures can make existing weaknesses more noticeable.
Look for visible cracking, fraying, bulges, leaks, or other signs of deterioration.
Some components aren't easy to inspect without mechanical knowledge, so this may be something to include during a professional pre-winter inspection.
Indiana's winter-preparation recommendations specifically include checking belts and hoses along with other major vehicle systems.
A breakdown is inconvenient at any time of year.
It's considerably less pleasant when you're standing beside the road in freezing temperatures.
11. Check Your Oil and Other Fluids
Oil is essential to your engine regardless of season.
Before winter, check whether you're approaching your next scheduled oil change and follow the manufacturer's recommended oil type and maintenance interval.
While you're at it, consider the other fluids your particular vehicle uses.
Depending on the vehicle, that could include:
Engine coolant
Brake fluid
Transmission fluid
Power steering fluid
Windshield washer fluid
Not every fluid is meant to be routinely topped off by the owner, and service procedures vary by vehicle.
Your owner's manual is the best starting point for understanding what should be checked and when.
If you notice a fluid leak underneath your vehicle, don't simply keep refilling the reservoir and ignore the cause.
Have the leak investigated.
12. Build a Winter Emergency Kit
Even a well-maintained vehicle can become stranded.
A major snowstorm, crash, flat tire, road closure, or other unexpected situation can leave you sitting much longer than planned.
That's why every Indiana driver should consider keeping basic emergency supplies in the vehicle.
Your winter kit might include:
Ice scraper and snow brush
Jumper cables
Flashlight and spare batteries
Portable phone charger
First-aid kit
Blanket
Warm gloves
Hat
Bottled water
Nonperishable snacks
Small shovel
Reflective emergency equipment
Basic tools
Indiana's Department of Homeland Security also recommends keeping items such as blankets, jumper cables, a flashlight, food, water, a shovel, spare warm clothing, and a portable phone charger in a winter vehicle kit.
You may never need most of these items.
That's the goal.
But if you do become stranded during cold weather, you'll be glad they're there.
Does AWD or 4WD Mean You're Ready for Winter?
All-wheel drive and four-wheel drive can be valuable in Indiana winters.
Both systems can provide additional traction in certain slippery conditions, particularly when accelerating.
But there's an important misconception worth clearing up.
AWD and 4WD do not make a vehicle unstoppable in snow.
More importantly, they don't make it stop instantly on ice.
Tires, speed, following distance, road conditions, and driver behavior still matter.
A 4x4 truck traveling too quickly for icy conditions can lose traction just like any other vehicle.
If you drive an AWD SUV or 4WD truck, don't let the drivetrain give you a false sense of security.
Slow down when conditions require it.
Watch for Black Ice
Snow is easy to see.
Black ice often isn't.
Roads can appear relatively normal while still having slippery areas, particularly around bridges, intersections, shaded areas, and ramps.
INDOT specifically advises drivers to slow down when approaching locations such as intersections, off-ramps, bridges, and shaded areas where black ice may occur.
When temperatures are near or below freezing, assume surfaces could be slippery even if you can't see obvious snow.
Avoid sudden steering, hard acceleration, and aggressive braking.
Leave additional distance between your vehicle and the one ahead.
Don't Forget About Deer
Snow and ice aren't the only seasonal driving hazards in Indiana.
Fall also brings increased deer activity.
Indiana's Department of Natural Resources notes that the annual deer breeding cycle is triggered as daylight becomes shorter in the fall, and increased deer activity during this period contributes to more deer-vehicle collisions.
That matters around Angola, where drivers regularly travel rural roads and areas near fields and wooded land.
Pay extra attention around dawn and dusk.
If you see one deer, watch for others nearby.
Avoid swerving sharply if a deer suddenly enters the road, since losing control or entering another lane can create an even more dangerous situation.
Is Your Current Vehicle a Good Fit for Winter?
Preparing for winter may also make you think about whether your current vehicle still fits your needs.
Maybe you have a long commute and want something with AWD.
Maybe your family has grown and you need more passenger room.
Maybe rural driving or winter travel has you considering a 4x4 truck.
Or perhaps your current vehicle is perfectly suitable and simply needs routine maintenance before colder weather arrives.
There isn't one "best winter vehicle" for everyone.
A front-wheel-drive sedan with good tires may work perfectly well for one driver.
Another may benefit from an AWD crossover.
Someone who regularly travels rural roads or needs additional capability may prefer a 4x4 truck or SUV.
The right choice depends on where and how you drive.
Prepare Before the First Snowfall
The worst time to start thinking about winter preparation is during the first snowstorm.
By then, you're already dealing with cold temperatures, slippery roads, and everyone else trying to prepare at the same time.
Fall gives you time.
Check the tires.
Test the battery.
Make sure the heater and defroster work.
Inspect the lights and wipers.
Review your maintenance schedule.
Put an emergency kit in the vehicle.
None of these steps are particularly complicated, but together they can make you much better prepared for the season ahead.
Get Ready for Northeast Indiana Driving at The Auto Brokers of Angola
Winter is simply part of driving in Northeast Indiana.
You can't control when temperatures drop or when the next snowstorm arrives, but you can control how prepared you are when it happens.
At The Auto Brokers of Angola, you'll find a changing selection of pre-owned cars, trucks, SUVs, crossovers, and other vehicles for the different ways people travel throughout Angola and the surrounding area.
Whether you're looking for an AWD SUV in Angola, a 4x4 truck, a comfortable commuter, or another type of pre-owned vehicle, think about the conditions you'll encounter throughout the entire year, not just during warm weather.
Indiana winter driving doesn't require the biggest or most expensive vehicle.
It requires a vehicle that fits your needs, is properly maintained, and is driven appropriately for the conditions.
September might feel early to start thinking about snow.
In Indiana, it's better to be ready too early than too late.
