7 Essential Winter Auto Body Tips for Old Cars

Like it or not, winter is fast approaching in Kansas City. That means bitter cold, snowfall, and downright messy road conditions. If you’re heading into this winter season with an older model vehicle, there are a few preventative steps you should take to ensure your car is in good working condition. Here are 7 winter auto body tips to keep you and your vehicle safe this year.

1. Check Your Fluids

One of the best ways to winterize your car is to check and fill all the necessary fluids. It’s particularly crucial to have the right coolant to prevent fluid from freezing inside your radiator. If you’re not sure which one to use, consult your owner’s manual. In Kansas City, where temperatures can fall below freezing, you may want to consider using a thinner oil in the colder months to ensure smooth fluid movement.

In addition, freeze-resistant windshield wiper fluid will help keep your driving vision clear through rain, snow, and muddy slush backsplash.

2. Upgrade to Snow Tires

For driving in wet and slippery conditions, it’s best to switch out your summer or all-season tires for a more rugged set of winter tires. Dedicated winter tires have different tread patterns and a unique rubber composition designed for increased traction on greasy roads. Without them, you may find yourself sliding and spinning, creating an unsafe situation for you and other drivers.

3. Allow Warm-Up Time

Newer model cars can simply be put in gear and driven to your destination—no matter the weather conditions. Older model cars, though, may need a few minutes to warm-up before venturing out into the winter landscape. If your car stalls or sputters in cold weather, you probably need to let it idle before you take off.

A warm-up period gives your older car a chance to heat up the oil, allowing it to flow more smoothly. Try allowing the car to idle while you brush off any fallen snow. Those few minutes should be ample time to prepare the engine for exertion—no revving required.

4. Brighten Your Lights

Snow, rain, and other falling precipitation can seriously interfere with your driving visibility. If you have an older model car, it has likely been some time since your headlights were replaced or upgraded. Before any snow starts falling, make sure your headlights, taillights, and turn signals are in proper working order.

You might consider upgrading to a high-output headlamp for brighter lighting and a lengthier field of vision. If you have plastic headlights that are murky and dull, get them restored before winter arrives. While it may not seem like a big deal now, improving your road vision will greatly increase your safety this winter. Throughout the cold season, clean your headlamps with glass cleaner, soap and water, or toothpaste to keep them crystal clear.

5. Fend Off Rust

To prevent the development or worsening of rust on your older model car this winter, start by washing it thoroughly. Salt, mud, and grime will be working overtime through the winter season to eat away at your vehicle. You don’t have to go outside every other day in a full snowsuit to hose it off—simply stop at the car wash every few weeks when the roads are down to bare pavement.

Most car washes have an undercarriage cleaning option. It’s definitely worth spending a couple extra bucks to reach the parts of the car that you can’t see. You can also opt to add an oil undercoating to your vehicle to further deter the formation of rust. These simple rust prevention practices will add years of life to your vehicle’s body and undercarriage. For that reason, rust prevention is one of the most important winter auto body tips for old cars.

6. Opt for an Engine Block Heater

An engine block heater can help reduce the harsh effects of winter on your car’s engine. (It also makes the first few minutes of your drive less cringe-worthy!) This type of heater is installed under your hood and has a port for an extension cord that comes out through your grill.

All you have to do is plug it in while your vehicle is turned off. The heater warms up the engine block, which in turn warms up the oil. The oil thins out and lubricates the engine quickly, eliminating the usual sluggishness that comes with a cold-engine start.

7. Don’t Let the Gas Tank Hit E

It’s true, getting out of your warm car to pump gas in the frigid winter air is no pleasant task. As much as you despise this chore, it’s never a good idea to drive around with an almost-empty gas tank in the wintertime. Cold temperatures cause condensation to form on the walls of a nearly-empty gas tank. If that water makes it into your fuel lines, it will freeze and block gasoline from reaching your engine.

The damage that can result from driving on an empty tank in the winter warrants costly repairs. The high price of repairs certainly cancels out the convenience of skipping a gas station stop on your way home from work. So, bundle up! You’ve got to get out there and fill your tank in spite of icy weather.

Visit McCarthy Collision Centers For More Help

Winter is nearly here. Are you prepared? If not, head to one of our body shops near Kansas City to get your dents un-dented, scratches un-scratched, and chipped windshields un-chipped. We have several locations throughout Kansas City, so contact us at 800-NEW-AGAIN to schedule your appointment. From all of us at McCarthy Collision Centers, we hope you stay safe on the roads this winter!

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