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What does it mean to winterize your vehicle?

I’m driving to school in Vermont from Georgia, and I keep hearing about winterizing my car. What does winterizing mean, and do I need to do it?

avatar
Sarah Gray · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Winterizing your vehicle means preparing it for snow, ice, and cold weather.
If you don’t have four-wheel drive, there are some important steps you can take to make sure your car stays in good shape and is safe to drive during the winter:
  • Consider purchasing
    winter tires
     for better traction on snow and ice.
  • Rotate your tires.
  • Apply a coat of polymer wax to protect against salt and road grime.
  • Check your
    battery and cables
    , and purchase a new battery if needed.
  • Replace your windshield wipers
  • Run a quick diagnostic of your dashboard lights
  • Ensure you have a
    winter emergency car kit
     in your vehicle.
Unless you need a new battery or a set of winter tires, you can expect to pay between $50 and $100 to winterize your vehicle.
MORE:
7 winter essentials every driver needs
HondaCar MaintenanceGeorgiaSeasonal
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