Winterizing Your Electric Vehicle for Cold Weather Conditions

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated December 21, 2024

Contributions sourced from

Winter Weather Driving Tips

Whether its snow, sleet or ice, winter weather can cause extremely dangerous road conditions. In 2021 there were 395 fatal crashes, and an estimated 22,325 injury crashes that occurred when there was snow/sleet conditions at the time of the crash. Preparing yourself and your vehicle for winter weather is key.

Driving in Winter Weather

The Basics

Slow down. Its harder to control or stop your vehicle on a slick or snow-covered surface. In fact, in 2021, there were an estimated 121,156 police-reported crashes that occurred when there was snow/sleet conditions at the time of the crash. On the road, increase your following distance enough so that youll have plenty of time to stop for vehicles ahead of you.

Dont crowd a snow plow or travel beside the truck. Snow plows travel slowly, make wide turns, stop often, overlap lanes, and exit the road frequently. If you find yourself behind a snow plow, stay far enough behind it and use caution if you pass the plow.

What to Do in an Emergency

If you are stopped or stalled in wintry weather, stay focused on yourself and your passengers, your car, and your surroundings.

Stay with your car and dont overexert yourself.
Let your car be seen. Put bright markers on the antenna or windows and keep the interior dome light on.
Be mindful of carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure your exhaust pipe is clear of any snow and run your car only sporadically just long enough to stay warm. Dont run your car for long periods of time with the windows up or in an enclosed space.

Tires

As the outside temperature drops, so does tire inflation pressure. Make sure each tire is filled to the vehicle manufacturers recommended inflation pressure, which is in your owners manual and on a label located on the driver's side door frame. Do not inflate your tires to the pressure listed on the tire itself. That number is the maximum pressure the tire can hold, not the recommended pressure for the your vehicle.

Some other tips:

Inspect your tires at least once a month and before long road trips.
Its best to check the tires when theyre cold, meaning that they have not been driven on for at least three hours.
Check each tires age. Some vehicle manufacturers recommend replacing tires every six years regardless of use.

An inspection is not just about checking tire pressure and age. Remember to check:

for any damage or conditions that may need attention;
the tread and sidewalls for any cuts, punctures, bulges, scrapes, cracks, or bumps. The tread should be at least 2/32 of an inch or greater on all tires; and
your spare tire.

If you find tire damage, take your vehicle to a tire service professional.

Consider installing snow tires, but before buying new tires, visit NHTSAs Tires page to review tire safety ratings. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS) lets you compare tire treadwear, traction performance, and temperature resistance.

Car Seats

In colder weather, parents typically dress their children in winter coats. But its important to know that heavy coats can interfere with the proper harness fit on a child in a car seat. When your child will be secured in a car seat, pick thin, warm layers, and place blankets or coats around your child after the harness is snug and secure for extra warmth.

Also, make sure car seats and booster seats are properly installed and that any children riding with you are in the right seat for their ages and sizes. See NHTSAs child passenger safety recommendations to find the right seat for your childs age and size. You can visit NHTSAs Child Car Seat Inspection Station Locator to find a free car seat inspection site near you, or to get information on virtual inspections.

Batteries

When the temperature drops, so does battery power. In cold weather, gasoline and diesel engines take more battery power to start, and electric and hybrid-electric vehicles driving range can be reduced. Have a mechanic check your battery, charging system, belts, and for any other needed repairs or replacements.

Safety Technologies

Familiarize yourself with the safety technologies on your vehicle and how they perform in wintry conditions. Know whether your vehicle has an antilock brake system and learn how to use it properly. Antilock brake systems prevent your wheels from locking up during braking. If you have antilock brakes, apply firm, continuous pressure to the brake pedal. If you dont have antilock brakes, you may need to pump your brakes if you feel your wheels starting to lock up. For more information on driver assistance technologies, visit NHTSA.gov/DriverAssistTech.

Floor Mats

Due to slushy winter conditions, you might consider switching out your usual floor mats for thicker material or rubbery ones. Improperly installed floor mats in your vehicle could interfere with the operation of the accelerator or brake pedal, increasing the risk of a crash. Follow the manufacturers instructions for mat installation and use retention clips to secure the mats. Always use mats that are the correct size and fit for your vehicle.

Lights

Check your headlights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers and interior lights. Be sure to also check your trailer brake lights and turn signals, if necessary.

Windshield Wipers

You can quickly go through a lot of windshield wiper fluid in a single snowstorm. Make sure your vehicles reservoir is full of high-quality winter fluid with de-icer before winter weather hits. Make sure defrosters and all windshield wipers work and replace any worn blades. Consider installing heavy-duty winter wipers if you live in an area that gets a lot of snow and ice.

Cooling System

Make sure you have enough coolant in your vehicle, and that it meets the manufacturers specifications. See your vehicle owners manual for recommendations. Check the cooling system for leaks, test the coolant, and drain or replace the old coolant.

You may also want to visit your mechanic for a tune-up and ask them to check for leaks, badly worn hoses, or other needed parts, repairs, and replacements.

Stock Your Vehicle

Carry items in your vehicle to handle common winter driving-related tasks, and supplies you might need in an emergency, including:

a snow shovel, broom, and ice scraper;
abrasive material (sand or kitty litter), in case your vehicle gets stuck in the snow;
jumper cables, flashlight, and warning devices (flares and emergency markers);
blankets for protection from the cold; and
a cell phone and charger, water, food, and any necessary medicine.

Gas Up or Plug It In

Keep your gas tank close to full whenever possible.

Similarly, in the case forelectric and hybrid-electric vehicles, it is important keep your battery charged and to also minimize the drain on the battery. In general, batteries with liquid electrolyte have reduced energy storage and delivery capabilities at lower temperatures, which is why most all vehicle batteries use battery power for self-heating in low temperatures. The battery drain due to heating can be minimized by keeping your electric vehicle as warm as possible during freezing temperatures. A common way to do this is plugging your vehicle in at night during the winter keeping the battery in its optimal temperature ranges.

Plan Your Route

Check your local weather and traffic reports before heading out. If your roads are not in good shape, consider postponing non-essential travel until the roads are cleared. If you do have to go out, make sure you are prepared in case you become delayed while traveling. If making a long road trip when winter weather is forecasted, consider leaving early or changing your departure to avoid being on the roads during the worst of the storm.

Familiarize yourself with directions and maps before you goeven if you use a GPSand let others know your route and anticipated arrival time. On longer trips, plan enough time to stop to stretch, get something to eat, check your phone, and change drivers or rest if you feel drowsy.

Year-Round Safety

Check for Recalls

NHTSA's Recalls Look-up Tool lets you enter a vehicle identification number (VIN) to quickly learn if your vehicle has a critical safety issue that has not been repaired, and how to get that repair done for free. You can also download NHTSAs SaferCar app and enter your vehicle and equipment information. If a recall is issued, youll get an alert on your phone.

Avoid Risky Driving Behaviors

You know the rules: Do not text or drive distracted; obey posted speed limits; and always drive sober. Both alcohol and drugs can impair safe and responsible driving by affecting things such as coordination, judgment, perception, and reaction time. And remember: always wear your seat belt.

Tips for Winterizing Your Car

11 WAYS TO WINTERIZE YOUR CAR FOR WINTER DRIVING SAFETY

Winter driving conditions can be hazardous due to factors such as snow and ice on the road. While its important that you are prepared for winter driving, it is also important that your car is up for the challenge. Follow the recommendations below before the winter season to make sure your car can handle winter road conditions.

1. HAVE YOUR CAR SERVICED FOR WINTER CONDITIONS

Before you hit any harsh winter conditions, have your vehicle serviced to prepare it for the challenges winter can pose.

Battery Battery power decreases as the temperature drops, meaning that it takes more power to start your car in the winter. If your battery is already having problems, your risk of breaking down increases. It is recommended that your auto care provider installs a battery at or above 600 CCA for optimal winter performance.

Cooling system It is recommended to maintain a ratio between 50/50 and 70/30 of antifreeze to water. Ask your technician what antifreeze should be used for your vehicle and the appropriate coolant-to-water ratio to prevent against corrosion and potential freezing.

Brakes While cold weather doesnt necessarily hurt your brakes, a thorough inspection can ensure the best performance when driving in winter conditions.

Belts, hoses, spark plugs, wires and cables These can go bad at any time of year, but if they go bad during the winter, you could be stranded in a very cold place for a very long time.

2. SWITCH TO WINTER TIRES

Its possible to useall-season tires in winter conditionshowever, this wont offer you the maximum performance you may need in your environment.

If you live in a place that experiences extremely cold winter temperatures, it is recommended that youinstall winter tireswhen winterizing your car. When the temperature consistently hovers around or below freezing, the rubber compounds in non-winter tires harden, decreasing the tires ability to grip the road. Winter tires use special compounds engineered to resist hardening in cold temperatures, providing better traction in ice, snow, slush, and even dry pavement.

If you live in an area that doesnt normally have intense winters, all-season tires should be acceptable. However, if you live somewhere with harsh winters or regularly visit places that do, winter tires are the safest choice for you.

3. MAINTAIN TIRE PRESSURE

Every 10 change in ambient temperature could mean a gain or loss of 1 PSI. This means youshould check pressuremore regularly during winter and refill your tires as needed. Appropriate pressure for your tires can be found on the tire placard in the drivers side door jamb or in your vehicle owners manual.

4. CHECK FOR CHANGING TEMPERATURES THAT COULD AFFECT TRACTION

Before going out for a long winter drive, check to see how temperatures may change while youre out. Changing temperatures can affect both your traction and driving ability if there is a sudden change that youre not prepared for.

For example, how you should drive in 0 weather is much different than how you can drive in 32 weather. You generally have better traction at 0 than you do at 32 due to surfaces becoming more slippery at these higher winter temperatures.

5. INSTALL WINTER WIPERS

These come equipped with rubber that keeps ice from collecting on the blades. Just be sure to remove them when spring rolls around. As winter wipers are heavier than regular ones, keeping them on all the time increases the load on the wiper motor.

6. KEEP WASHER FLUID FULL

Replace your windshield wiper fluid often. A single snowstorm can exhaust a large amount of this fluid, so refill the washer reservoir frequently with windshield wiper fluid formulated for winter conditions. If youre unsure if your washer fluid is the right formula for low temperatures, add a bottle of washer fluid antifreeze to the reservoir. Youll find it at most auto parts stores.

7. PACK A WINTER SAFETY KIT

Before heading off on a trip, store common tools and supplies in your car in case of an emergency. Use this infographic below to know what to pack before heading out into the snow.

8. KEEP THE GAS TANK AT LEAST HALF FULL

Fill up often! Keeping gas in the tank is more important in winter than in summer. Why? For one thing, a full tank reduces condensation, which can prevent gas line freeze ups. Not only that, but if youre ever stranded, your engine may be the only thing to keep you warm until help arrives.

9. KEEP YOUR REAR-WINDOW DEFROSTER IN WORKING ORDER

Being unable to see behind you could create unsafe driving conditions. Thats why several states have laws stating that all your windows must be clear of condensation and debris. When winterizing your car, check your rear-window defroster before cold weather arrives to be sure its working properly.

10. LEARN WINTER EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Its important to know what to do before you are in an emergency in case you ever get stuck. If you get stuck in a winter storm while driving:

Do not leave your car for risk of losing sigh of it

Do not run your car for long periods of time. Instead, turn it on long enough to stay warm, and then turn it off again to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning

Put your dome lights on to attract attention