Winter Is Coming to the Treasure Valley. Your Car Has Opinions About It.

Boise winters are generally pretty mild. We average around 18 inches of snow a year, which isn't exactly cause for panic. But between the freezing temperatures, weeks of inversion, and whatever the roads are covered in after a storm, winter still manages to take its toll on our vehicles.

And every year, without fail, somebody discovers their battery was one cold morning away from retirement.

So, before winter settles in, let's talk about two things: getting your daily driver ready for the cold and knowing when your other car should probably stay in the garage.

Because there's a difference between a car that's built to handle winter and one that's going to make you regret taking it out.

Part One: Your Daily Driver

Your daily driver doesn't have the luxury of hibernating until spring. It's got work to do, kids to haul, groceries to carry, and probably a few questionable decisions to survive.

Here's how to help it make it through winter without any unnecessary drama.

1. Your battery isn't getting any younger.

Cold weather and aging batteries aren't particularly good friends.

According to AAA, a car battery can lose roughly 35% of its strength at 32°F and around 60% at 0°F. Meanwhile, cold temperatures make your engine harder to turn over.

Less power available. More power required.

You can probably see where this is going.

If your battery is three or more years old, or your engine has started cranking a little slower on chilly mornings, get it tested.

It takes us a few minutes to check. That's considerably less time than you'll spend standing in a Fred Meyer parking lot at 7 a.m. wondering who you know with jumper cables.

2. Your tires are feeling the pressure. Or lack thereof.

Here's a fun little fact: tire pressure drops approximately 1 PSI for every 10°F decrease in temperature.

That means the tires you filled on a beautiful 75-degree afternoon could be running 4 or 5 PSI low by the time our first serious cold snap rolls around.

Underinflated tires don't handle as well, wear unevenly, and hurt your fuel economy. None of those things are particularly appealing.

Check your tire pressure at least once a month throughout the winter, preferably when the tires are cold. Use the recommended pressure listed on your driver's door jamb, not the maximum pressure printed on the tire.

And while you're down there, take a look at your tread.

Bald tires and icy roads are a combination best left unexplored.

3. Coolant, wipers, and other things you'll wish you'd checked.

Your cooling system has two jobs: keeping your engine from overheating and keeping it from freezing.

That second one becomes considerably more important when temperatures drop.

Old or improperly mixed coolant can lose its protective properties and contribute to corrosion inside your cooling system. A quick test can tell us whether it's ready for winter.

While we're at it, let's talk about your windshield.

If your wipers are streaking, squeaking, or simply redistributing the dirt, it's time for new ones. Fill your washer reservoir with winter-rated fluid, too.

Between the road grime, slush, and whatever the car in front of you is throwing onto your windshield, you're going to need it.

Visibility is a pretty underrated feature.

4. Don't put off that oil change.

If you're getting close to your next scheduled oil change, now's a good time to take care of it.

Cold temperatures make oil thicker, which means your engine needs the correct oil viscosity to protect its moving parts during cold starts.

Fresh oil of the proper grade also means you won't be starting the coldest part of the year with oil that's already overdue for replacement.

And yes, we do oil changes.

We were going to work that into this article eventually. Might as well get it out of the way.

5. Your undercarriage would appreciate a bath.

Here's something Idaho drivers should take seriously.

The Idaho Transportation Department uses salt brine, magnesium chloride, and solid salt to help keep our roads safe during winter weather.

We're grateful for roads we can actually drive on. Your car's undercarriage, however, might have a different opinion.

Salt accelerates corrosion, particularly in areas where moisture and road debris collect. We're talking suspension components, frame rails, brake lines, and all those little places you don't normally see.

According to ITD, washing your vehicle frequently during winter is one of the best ways to reduce salt-related corrosion.

Find a car wash with an underbody spray and use it regularly, especially after storms.

A few dollars at the car wash is considerably cheaper than replacing rusted components.

Trust us on that one.

Part Two: Some Cars Belong in the Garage

Now for the vehicles that don't have to endure the daily commute.

Not every car needs to prove itself in the snow. In fact, there are some we'd strongly encourage you to leave parked until the roads are clean and the temperatures improve.

Here's why.

1. Classics and restored cars: you've come too far to turn back now.

If you own a classic, particularly one that's been restored, you already know how much time, money, and effort can go into getting everything right.

Let's not undo all that work because you wanted to take the Chevelle out for a December coffee run.

Older vehicles generally lack the extensive factory corrosion protection found on modern cars. That leaves plenty of opportunities for salt and moisture to work their way into floor pans, rocker panels, frame rails, and other vulnerable areas.

And rust isn't particularly considerate. It doesn't limit itself to the places you can easily see.

We've spent enough time repairing rust to tell you that preventing it is a whole lot more enjoyable than fixing it.

If you've got a beautiful restored classic, keep it off the salted roads.

There will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy it when spring arrives.

2. Performance cars: your tires have a temperature limit.

This one surprises people.

Just because your performance car has an impressive engine, sophisticated traction control, and enough horsepower to rearrange your internal organs doesn't mean it's ready for winter.

Particularly if it's sitting on summer performance tires.

Those tires use rubber compounds designed to provide exceptional grip in warmer conditions. As temperatures fall, the compounds become less flexible and traction decreases.

And in some cases, the consequences go beyond poor handling.

General Motors has issued service guidance for certain Corvette and Camaro tires, warning that temperatures below approximately 40°F can reduce traction. For some tire applications, temperatures below 20°F can cause cracking, even when the vehicle is simply being moved.

Other performance vehicles may have similar restrictions, depending on their tires.

The important thing is to check the manufacturer's recommendations for your specific vehicle and tire combination.

If you intend to drive your performance car throughout winter, invest in an appropriate set of winter tires.

Otherwise, park it somewhere that meets the tire manufacturer's temperature requirements.

Horsepower is wonderful. Traction is better.

3. Collector cars, convertibles, and anything you'd cry over.

You know which car we're talking about.

The one you park at the far end of the parking lot. The one you wipe down after every drive. The one that makes you turn around for one last look before walking into the house.

Maybe it's a low-mileage collector car. Maybe it's a convertible with an original interior. Maybe it's a car you've spent the better part of a decade restoring.

Whatever it is, ask yourself whether driving it through an Idaho winter is really worth the risk.

Salt, moisture, freezing temperatures, and road debris aren't doing your investment any favors.

And while some cars are perfectly capable of handling winter, that doesn't mean they need to.

Sometimes the smartest thing you can do for a vehicle is leave it alone.

Which brings us to our next point.

Part Three: How to Put Your Car to Bed for the Winter

Putting a car into winter storage isn't particularly complicated.

Putting it away incorrectly, however, can create some expensive surprises when you pull the cover off in spring.

A little preparation now can save you a lot of frustration later.

Here's what we recommend.

1. Change the oil before storage.

You might be tempted to wait until spring for that next oil change.

We'd suggest doing it before you put the car away.

Used engine oil accumulates contaminants and combustion byproducts over time. Depending on the oil's condition, those contaminants can contribute to corrosion during extended storage.

Starting with fresh oil of the correct specification helps protect your engine while it sits.

Besides, wouldn't you rather have one less thing to worry about when the weather finally gets nice?

2. Fill the tank and stabilize the fuel.

Gasoline doesn't improve with age.

For vehicles being stored for several months, particularly those with carburetors or older fuel systems, fuel degradation can create problems when it's time to get back on the road.

Fill the tank with the appropriate fuel and add a quality fuel stabilizer according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Then drive the car long enough to circulate the treated fuel throughout the system.

Hagerty recommends driving for approximately 10–15 minutes after adding stabilizer.

A full tank also helps minimize the amount of air space available for moisture to accumulate.

One important note: fuel requirements vary, particularly with older vehicles and specialty fuel systems. Make sure you're using products compatible with your car.

Nobody wants to spend the first beautiful Saturday in April cleaning out a carburetor.

3. Give it a proper bath.

Before putting your car away, wash it thoroughly.

And we mean thoroughly.

Clean the paint, wheels, wheel wells, and undercarriage. Remove any road grime, bugs, dirt, or other contaminants that could damage surfaces or hold moisture during storage.

Then make sure it's completely dry.

If you're storing the car indoors, a soft, breathable cover will help protect it from dust and accidental contact.

We all know garages have a mysterious ability to accumulate bicycles, tools, ladders, and other objects that have absolutely no business being near expensive paint.

A cover provides a little extra insurance.

If you've got a convertible, store it with the top up and properly secured. This helps the material maintain its shape and reduces the chance of shrinkage.

Your future self will appreciate the effort.

4. Keep the battery happy.

A battery that's left sitting for months without attention may not have much enthusiasm for starting your car in spring.

A quality battery maintainer helps keep it properly charged without overcharging it.

Choose one that's compatible with your battery type and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

If the car doesn't have access to electricity where it's stored, you may want to disconnect and properly store the battery instead.

Either way, don't assume that because the car isn't being driven, the battery isn't doing anything.

It's perfectly capable of disappointing you while sitting still.

5. Don't let the mice move in.

Unfortunately, you're not the only one looking for a warm, comfortable place to spend the winter.

Rodents love stored vehicles.

Engine compartments, air intakes, exhaust systems, and interiors can all become attractive real estate for mice looking to escape the cold.

And apparently, automotive wiring makes a perfectly acceptable snack.

Some modern vehicles use soy-based materials in their wiring insulation, although rodents have been known to chew through plenty of other materials, too.

Before storage, inspect and protect potential entry points. Consider blocking the exhaust and accessible intake openings with suitable removable materials.

And this part is important: leave yourself a very obvious reminder to remove those materials before starting the car.

Keep food, pet food, and birdseed away from the storage area, and use appropriate rodent traps around the garage.

Check the vehicle periodically for signs of unwanted tenants.

A mouse in your garage is annoying.

A mouse that's eaten its way through your wiring harness is expensive.

6. Stop starting it just to hear it run.

We understand the temptation.

It's January. You miss your car. You wander into the garage, pull off the cover, and decide there's no harm in firing it up for a few minutes.

You listen to the engine, enjoy the moment, shut it down, and go back inside.

Unfortunately, you've probably done your car more harm than good.

Short periods of idling often don't bring the engine oil and other components up to full operating temperature.

That means moisture and fuel contamination introduced during startup may remain in the engine instead of being properly evaporated.

Repeat that process every couple of weeks and you can end up accumulating moisture rather than eliminating it.

If you're going to start the car during storage, it should generally be driven long enough to reach full operating temperature, assuming road conditions, tires, and manufacturer recommendations allow it.

Otherwise, leave it alone until spring.

It doesn't need a weekly visit.

It's a car, not a golden retriever.

Let's Get You Ready Before Winter Does It for You.

Whether you're driving your vehicle every day or tucking something special away until spring, a little preventive maintenance goes a long way.

At Restoration Rods, we're happy to handle the less exciting parts of winter preparation.

We'll change your oil, test your battery, inspect your tires, check your coolant, and give your vehicle a proper once-over before the cold weather arrives.

That applies to the truck that gets you to work every morning and the classic you've spent years getting just right.

And if keeping up with regular maintenance always seems to end up at the bottom of your to-do list, ask us about our oil-change membership.

It's a straightforward way to keep your daily driver on schedule throughout the year without having to remember when it's due.

Because we'd much rather see you for preventive maintenance in October than watch your car arrive on a tow truck in January.

Restoration Rods — For the car you drive every day and the one you dream about every night.