Your Winter Road Trip Checklist: Get Your Car Ready Before the Snow Hits

Winter road trips with the family can be a blast — until something goes wrong on the highway at 7 am in 15-degree weather. The good news? A little prep before the season hits goes a long way. Here's what to check before you load up the car and head out.

Tires First

Your tires are the only thing between your car and the road, so start here. Check tread depth — if you're at 4/32" or less, it's time for new tires. A quick trick: stick a quarter in the tread with Washington's head pointing down. If you can see the top of his head, you're getting close.

Also, check your tire pressure. Cold air makes tires lose pressure faster — roughly 1 PSI for every 10-degree drop in temperature. Find the correct pressure on the sticker inside your driver's door (not on the tire itself). Underinflated tires hurt handling and fuel economy both.

If you're driving on Chicago-area roads all winter — the salt, the slush, the freeze-thaw cycles — winter tires are worth the conversation. They use a softer rubber compound that stays flexible in cold temps, which gives you noticeably better grip on ice and packed snow compared to all-seasons.

Test Your Battery

Cold weather is hard on batteries. A battery that's been borderline for a while will often fail on the first really cold morning of the season. Have it tested — most shops can do this in a few minutes. If your battery is 3-4 years old and hasn't been checked recently, get it done before winter.

Also glance at the terminals. White or blue-green buildup around the connections means corrosion, which can cause starting issues. A mix of baking soda and water on a brush clears it right up.

Fluid Check

Run through these before any long drive:

• Engine oil — make sure you're at the right level and consider a winter-grade oil if you're dealing with extreme cold
• Antifreeze/coolant — this is what keeps your engine from freezing; if it's been a few years, a flush might be due
• Brake fluid — check the level and color; dark or murky fluid is a sign it has absorbed moisture and should be replaced
• Windshield washer fluid — use a winter-rated formula rated for at least -20°F, not the cheap stuff that'll freeze on contact

Wiper Blades and Visibility

Worn wiper blades smear more than they wipe. If yours are streaking, skipping, or squeaking, swap them out before a snowstorm catches you on the highway. Winter-specific blades have a wrapped frame that prevents ice buildup — worth the upgrade.

Test your defroster too. Front and rear. If either is slow or not working, get it checked — it's a bigger deal than most people think.

Heater and Belts

Start the car and let it warm up, then make sure the heater is blowing genuinely warm air. If it takes forever or never really gets there, you may have a clogged 

heater core or low coolant.

While you're at it, have someone take a look at your belts and hoses. Cold makes rubber brittle, and a snapped serpentine belt can leave you stranded fast. Cracks, fraying, or glazing means it's time to replace before it becomes a roadside problem.

Pack an Emergency Kit

Even a well-maintained car can get stuck. Keep these in your trunk:

• Jumper cables or a portable jump starter
• Ice scraper and small snow shovel
• Warm blanket and extra layers
• Sand or kitty litter for traction
• Flashlight, first aid kit, water, and snacks
• Road flares or reflective triangles

Lights

Quick one — walk around the car and make sure everything works. Brake lights, turn signals, headlights. In winter conditions, visibility matters more than ever. If something's out, it's a cheap fix now vs. a ticket or worse later.

A winter tune-up at ProAuto covers most of this in one visit — no upselling, just an honest look at what your car actually needs before the cold hits. We're on Dempster in Morton Grove and happy to answer questions before you book. Drive safe out there.