Colorado Winters and Your Vehicle: What to Check Now

Colorado Springs winters are unpredictable — 60 degrees one day, 18 and snowing the next. That kind of temperature swing is hard on vehicles in specific ways. Here's what to look at before winter hits hard.

Battery

Cold temperatures reduce battery capacity significantly. A battery that starts fine in summer might not have enough cranking amps on a 10-degree morning. If your battery is more than 3 years old, get it load-tested. It's a $0 test at most shops and it tells you exactly how much life is left. Replace it now, not when you're stranded in a parking lot in January.

Coolant / Antifreeze

Coolant degrades over time and loses its freeze protection. Check the concentration with an inexpensive tester — it should protect to at least -34°F for Colorado conditions. Also check the hoses while you're at it. Cold temperatures make old rubber brittle and prone to cracking.

Tires

All-season tires perform adequately in most Colorado Springs winter conditions. But if you're in the mountains regularly or your commute involves I-25 at elevation, dedicated winter tires make a real difference. At a minimum, check your tread depth and air pressure — tire pressure drops about 1 PSI for every 10-degree drop in temperature.

Brakes

Stopping distances increase significantly on wet and icy roads. Worn brake pads that seem acceptable in dry conditions become a real safety issue in winter. If you're at 3mm of pad or less, replace them before the weather turns.

Wipers and Washer Fluid

Summer wiper blades don't clear ice. Switch to winter blades or all-season blades rated for cold temperatures. And make sure your washer fluid is rated for freezing temperatures — summer fluid will freeze in the lines and you'll lose visibility at the worst possible time.

Four-Wheel Drive Systems

If you have 4WD or AWD, test it before you need it. Engage the system in a safe area and make sure it engages and disengages cleanly. Transfer case fluids and front differential fluids should be fresh — neglected 4WD systems fail when they're stressed.

We do full winter prep inspections at C&D — battery, cooling system, brakes, tires, and fluids in one visit. Call (719) 374-4050 to schedule before the first real snow hits.