Car Winter Maintenance: The Complete Checklist to Face the Cold

Why preparing your car for winter makes a difference

Cold, humidity, road salt, thermal excursions and winter precipitation are significant stress for your vehicle. A car prepared for winter is safer, more reliable and deteriorates less over time. Just a couple of hours of preventive maintenance avoid problems that in January could cost you an emergency workshop visit.

1. Antifreeze / coolant

Check fluid level, antifreeze concentration (down to -25°C, -35°C in mountains), and colour (replace if cloudy). MA-FRA Alu Flu Red (G12), Green (G11), Blue (universal) for replacement. Never mix colours without complete flush.

2. Antifreeze windscreen washer fluid

Summer washer fluid freezes at 0°C. Replace with concentrated antifreeze washer like MA-FRA Cristalbel Artic -70.

3. Brake fluid

If not replaced for 2+ years, winter is the time. PowerTec DOT 4 ABS or febi bilstein DOT 4 are reliable. Check pads and discs too.

4. Tyres: pressures and tread

Pressures drop 0.1 bar per 10°C drop. Check pressure (cold tyre), tread minimum 4mm winter use, even wear. Winter tyres mandatory in snow zones Nov-Apr (M+S + snowflake). Keep tyre repair kit in boot: PowerTec Gonfia e Ripara 500ml ideal as backup.

5. Battery

Cold reduces capacity 30-50%. If 4+ years old, load test in workshop. Replace before winter if start already stiff in autumn.

6. Wipers

Worn blades leave streaks. Replace if they leave streaks, skip on glass, or are hardened.

7. Bodywork protection

Road salt is the worst enemy. Frequent washes, protective wax like MA-FRA Last Touch Express, periodic ferrous decontamination with MA-FRA Fallout Iron Remover.

8. Glass and mirrors

Hydrophobic treatment like MA-FRA Rain Speed for better visibility. Keep de-icing spray like MA-FRA Not Ice Power for morning frost.

9. Rubber floor mats

Replace carpet mats with rubber tray mats to trap water, snow and salt.

10. Penetrating spray and grease

Keep MA-FRA Sviting Rapid for frozen locks and rusty bolts. Lubricate door seals with silicone grease.

Conclusions

10 checks, 2 hours. Preventive maintenance ensures a calm winter. On LS Motors find everything in Antifreeze, Brake Fluid, Car Cleaning, Workshop Products collections. Shipping 24/48h.