As temperatures drop and road-salt season approaches, automotive expert Todd Bialaszewski, founder of Junk Car Medics, is warning drivers not to underestimate winter’s toll on older vehicles. He says many of the breakdowns and engine failures his team sees each year could be avoided with a few hours of preventive maintenance.

“Older cars have thinner margins for error,” Bialaszewski explained. “Cold starts, brittle rubber, and corrosion can push aging parts past their limits. Spending a weekend winterizing your car can easily save a tow bill—or even your engine.”

According to Bialaszewski, one of the first things drivers should examine is the battery and charging system. Cold weather can reduce a battery’s cranking power by half, and weak connections only make matters worse. He recommends checking not just voltage but also cold-cranking amps and internal resistance. Cleaning terminals and applying dielectric grease can prevent oxidation that causes no-start conditions on the first freezing morning.

Equally important is the cooling system. Many older cars circulate coolant that has lost its corrosion inhibitors, leaving radiators and heater cores vulnerable. A flush and refill with a 50/50 antifreeze mix rated to –34 °F, along with inspection of soft or bulging hoses, can prevent cracks and overheating during cold starts.

Drivers should also pay attention to the undercarriage. Rust accelerates dramatically once salt and calcium chloride coat the frame and brake lines. Applying an oil-based rust inhibitor before the first snow and rinsing the underbody after storms can extend a vehicle’s lifespan by years.

Fuel and ignition systems deserve the same attention. Keeping the tank at least half full prevents frozen lines, while a bottle of isopropyl fuel de-icer removes condensation that can accumulate in older metal tanks. Replacing spark plugs and ignition wires ensures a strong spark even when temperatures drop below zero.

Inside the cabin, many owners discover too late that their heater cores or blend doors are malfunctioning. Weak heat at idle or a faint coolant smell often signals a restriction in the core, which can be flushed before winter to restore cabin warmth.

Tires and bearings also play a crucial role in safety. Air pressure drops roughly one pound per square inch for every 10 degrees of temperature decrease, reducing traction on ice. Checking tread depth, inspecting for sidewall cracking, and listening for bearing noise can prevent roadside trouble later.

Bialaszewski also advises replacing wiper blades before the first frost and refilling the washer system with a methanol-based de-icer fluid to avoid frozen nozzles. At the same time, examine belts, pulleys, and hoses for glazing or cracks. Aging rubber stiffens in sub-freezing weather and can snap under startup stress.

Finally, ensure all lighting circuits are clean and grounded properly. Dim headlights often stem from poor connections, not weak bulbs, and visibility becomes critical during shorter winter days. He suggests cleaning ground points and checking for voltage drops at connectors.

Even with the best preparation, winter can still create unpredictable situations. Bialaszewski recommends keeping a winter emergency kit in every vehicle, stocked with gloves, blankets, traction compound, jumper cables, and a small shovel. “When you drive an older car,” he said, “you’re managing risk. Preparation is your best insurance.”

Industry data show that nearly 40 percent of roadside breakdowns each winter involve vehicles more than ten years old. Many of these failures—dead batteries, ruptured hoses, and frozen fuel lines—are preventable with proper maintenance and inspection.

For drivers whose vehicles have reached the end of the road, Junk Car Medics provides a fast, environmentally responsible service that buys cars for cash and ensures every retired vehicle is safely dismantled, drained of fluids, and recycled through certified facilities.

“Whether you plan to keep your car running through another winter or move on to a newer model, staying proactive protects both your wallet and the environment,” Bialaszewski added. “A car that’s maintained properly lasts longer and leaks less—reducing contamination from oil, coolant, and rust.”

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For more information about Junk Car Medics, contact the company here:

Junk Car Medics
Public Relations
1-855-587-0227
press@junkcarmedics.com