Cold weather is harder on cars in specific, predictable ways — batteries lose capacity, tire pressure drops, and fluids thicken. This checklist covers what to check before winter sets in, what to keep in the car, and what to do if you break down in the cold. For the moment-by-moment safety steps of waiting in extreme cold, see the extreme weather guide — this list is about preparing so that wait is shorter and safer.
Clear all snow and ice from windows, mirrors, lights, and the roof — not just a peephole on the windshield. Check road and weather conditions ahead of a trip, and give yourself extra time so you're not driving fast to make up time on slick roads.
Stay in the vehicle rather than walking for help — it's warmer and easier for a provider to find. If you run the engine for heat, confirm the exhaust pipe is clear of snow first and crack a downwind window, running it in short cycles rather than continuously. Most cold-weather breakdowns — a dead battery, a stuck tire, a car stuck in snow — are $49 flat roadside fixes, including a winch-out if you're stuck off the pavement.
Request help as soon as you're safely stopped, and you can track your provider's live position on the map while you stay warm inside.
Cold temperatures reduce a battery's cranking capacity while also making the engine harder to turn over, which is why marginal batteries that worked fine in summer often fail once it gets cold.
Only after confirming the exhaust pipe is clear of snow and cracking a downwind window. Run it in short cycles rather than leaving it running continuously.
A winch-out is a standard roadside service at the same $49 flat rate as a jumpstart or tire change — no need to try pushing or digging it out yourself on a snowy shoulder.