As winter returns to Pakistan, many drivers will again deal with cold starts, weak batteries, foggy roads and slow traffic.
But winter car care is about more than comfort it affects your safety and fuel cost.
A little preparation before the season can prevent breakdowns, accidents and avoidable damage to your car.
1. Battery, don’t wait for it to die
- Get your battery tested before winter.
- Replace it if it’s older than 2–3 years.
- Clean and tighten terminals to avoid poor contact.
- Keep jumper cables or a jump starter, especially for long trips.
2. Engine oil & coolant
- Cold thickens oil and makes starting harder.
- Use the oil grade recommended in your manual (often 5W-30 or 10W-40 in winter).
- Keep a proper 50:50 coolant and water mix.
- Don’t use plain tap water in the radiator, it causes rust and sludge.
- Change coolant as per manual or every 5 years for modern cars.
3. Tyres & brakes
- Cold air reduces tyre pressure.
- Check tyre pressure at least once a month.
- Make sure tread depth is good (above 3 mm).
- Replace worn tyres; get brakes checked before winter.
4. Visibility & lights
- Fog is common in Punjab and KPK.
- Replace old wiper blades.
- Use proper washer fluid not just water.
- Use fog lamps and low beam in fog, not high beam.
- To clear inside fog, use heater + AC to dry the air.
5. Rust & body care
- Wash your car regularly to remove smog and dirt.
- Apply wax or a sealant for extra protection.
- Clean door rubbers; use silicone spray to keep them soft.
6. Cabin & emergency kit
- Check heater, blower, and defogger early.
- Change cabin air filter regularly.
- Keep an emergency kit: jumper cables, torch, blanket, water, snacks, tow rope, basic tools, and a spare tyre.
Bottom line
A short winter check-up now can prevent big problems later like the Murree disaster happened where harmful gases inside the car become fatal for the whole family in the cold winter.
Therefore, prepare your car, drive slower in fog, and always check for animals before starting the engine.
