Winter car checklist: getting your car ready for the cold

The checklist has seven points: battery, tyres, visibility, fluids, doors and locks, lights and an emergency kit. You can do some of these yourself. The battery test and the coolant check need measuring equipment.

Checklist based on the winter tips of the ANWB and our own workshop checks.

You only know for sure after a battery test, because a battery that still starts the car well in autumn can give up at the first frost. According to the ANWB, a battery runs down faster in the cold, and the engine also needs more power to start when it is cold. Short trips make this worse, because the alternator then has too little time to recharge the battery.

According to the ANWB (in Dutch), a car battery lasts about 3 to 6 years. If your battery is older, or the car starts more slowly than before, have it tested before winter. During a battery test, the mechanic measures how much starting power the battery still delivers and whether the alternator is charging it properly. That way we avoid replacing a battery when the cause lies somewhere else.

In winter, winter tyres or all-season tyres give the most grip. According to the ANWB, summer tyres start to lose noticeable grip from about 7 °C, which makes your braking distance longer. Winter tyres stay softer at low temperatures, so you have more grip. You can recognise a winter tyre by the symbol of a mountain peak with a snowflake on the sidewall. The ANWB describes all-season tyres as a compromise between winter and summer tyres.

According to the Dutch government (in Dutch), winter tyres are not compulsory in the Netherlands. All tyres do need a minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm. The ANWB (in Dutch) suggests an easy test: put a € 1 coin (summer tyre) or a € 2 coin (winter tyre) into the tread groove. If the outer rim of the coin sticks out above the groove, the tyre needs replacing. If you are going on a skiing holiday, check the rules abroad. According to the ANWB, Austria requires a minimum tread depth of 4 mm for winter tyres.

Check the tyre pressure as well. The pressure in a tyre drops in the cold. You will find the correct value on the door pillar, inside the fuel filler flap or in the owner’s manual. If you would like your tyres changed, we can also do this on Saturdays. See winter tyres in Rotterdam.

A clear view starts with the right screenwash and wiper blades that wipe cleanly. The ANWB recommends screenwash with antifreeze. In the Netherlands this winter fluid is blue. The summer version is pink or yellow. You can top up the winter fluid on top of what is still in the reservoir.

Yes, check the coolant level before winter and have the frost protection measured. Also use the engine oil your manufacturer specifies. Coolant is a mixture of water and antifreeze. If it contains too much water, for example because someone once topped it up with plain water, the coolant can freeze in a frost. That can damage the engine, the radiator or the water pump.

You can see the level yourself on the reservoir under the bonnet, between the MIN and MAX marks. Do this with a cold engine. The mechanic measures the frost protection with a tester. How to check the level and what to top up with is explained in our article on checking and topping up coolant (in Dutch).

According to the ANWB, the right engine oil can make the difference between the car starting or not in freezing weather. Oil with the specified viscosity (thickness) reaches all the moving parts in time during a cold start.

You can prevent frozen doors by greasing the rubber door seals. The ANWB mentions a rubber care stick or talcum powder. You can treat the lock with a water-repellent product, such as penetrating oil.

A mechanical handbrake can freeze in a frost. The ANWB advises not to use it in winter and to leave the car in P or in first gear instead. You can use an electronic parking brake. In that case, park on ground that is as level as possible.

With an electric car, the 12V battery, the tyres and charging are the main winter points. According to the ANWB, the range can drop by as much as 30 per cent in freezing weather, depending on the make and model. The battery works best at about 21 °C.

What other maintenance an electric car needs is explained in our guide to servicing an electric car.

Have the winter check done before the first night frost. If your car is due a service soon, have the winter points included in the service. The mechanic then tests the battery, measures the frost protection of the coolant, checks the tyres, brakes, lights and wiper blades, and looks under the car for leaks and rust.

Also keep a small emergency kit in the car. The ANWB mentions an ice scraper, de-icer spray, lock de-icer, blankets and warm clothing. If the engine cuts out, the heating stops working too. Do not wear a thick winter coat while driving, because the seat belt then does not fit closely.

Do it before the first night frost. According to the ANWB, summer tyres start to lose noticeable grip from about 7 °C. That is a good moment to have the battery, the screenwash and the wiper blades checked as well.

No. According to the Dutch government, you are not required to use winter tyres in the Netherlands. All tyres do need a minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm. According to the Dutch government, some other countries do require winter tyres. Check the rules of your destination before you go on a skiing holiday.

No. According to the ANWB, warm water can make the glass crack. Use a plastic ice scraper or a de-icer spray. If the windscreen already has a small chip, the temperature difference can turn it into a crack. Read more in windscreen chips and cracks at the APK.

Yes. According to the ANWB, you can top up screenwash with antifreeze on top of what is still in the reservoir. The more summer fluid there is left, the less well the mixture protects against frost. So it is best to use up as much of the reservoir as you can first.

A battery delivers less power in the cold, while the engine needs more power to start when it is cold. A battery that was already weak is then the first to give up. Short trips make this worse, because the alternator does not recharge the battery enough.

Yes. The ANWB advises against driving in a thick winter coat, because the seat belt then does not sit directly against your body. In a collision the seat belt then works less well. This advice applies to passengers and children too.

• ANWB: Winterproblemen voorkomen (in Dutch)
• ANWB: Winterbanden kopen: waar moet je op letten? (in Dutch)
• Rijksoverheid (Dutch government): Moet ik in Nederland winterbanden gebruiken? (in Dutch)
• ANWB: Top 4 winterpech met je elektrische auto (in Dutch)
• ANWB: Elektrische auto in de winter (in Dutch)