Winter is easily the most dangerous season for driving. Between the ice, snow, and shorter daylight hours, there are dozens of hazards that rarely show up outside of winter months. Thankfully, many of these driving dangers can be countered by a few simple auto-maintenance tasks.
Proper vehicle maintenance does more than just make winter driving in Colorado safer. It can even guard you against certain legal liabilities. If your car is in good condition, you can’t be accused of causing an accident because of poor vehicle maintenance.
Here, we’ll pass along a few tips that you can follow to get your car ready for winter driving in Colorado.
Check Your Antifreeze Levels
Checking your antifreeze is an essential first step when preparing for winter driving in Colorado. This fluid is mixed into the water in your cooling system to prevent the water from freezing during the winter months. It also stops rust from forming in your car’s engine and cooling system.
As soon as temperatures start to drop, check your antifreeze levels. You can do this at most auto service centers, or purchase your own tester for around $5-10. If your levels are low, purchase some new antifreeze, or have a service center refill it for you.
Replace Your Windshield Wipers
While getting new windshield wipers is a good driving tip in any season with adverse weather, it’s especially important to replace them before doing any winter driving in Colorado. Most of the state gets snowfall at some point, and some of that snow is bound to end up on your windshield. What’s particularly dangerous is the snow that accumulates along the shoulder or gets kicked up by cars ahead. This snow is full of dirt, sand, salt, and oil, which can turn your windshield into a grease-streaked mess and impair your ability to see. Equipping your car with brand-new wipers can help you clear off any mess from your car’s most important window.
Here’s another winter driving tip regarding your windshield blades: Turn off your wipers before you shut off your car, and lift them away from the windshield when temperatures are below freezing. This way, your windshield wipers won’t freeze to your car, and the motor won’t burn out while trying to get your blades into the “reset” position.
Check Your Windshield Washer Fluid
This is basic advice, but an essential part of winter driving. In bad weather, and especially when there is slush and other material on the road, you need to make sure your windshield washer reservoir is full.
On a snowy or messy day, you can easily go through half a gallon or more of windshield washer fluid trying to keep your windshield clear. It’s a good idea to keep some extra fluid in the trunk in case you run out. Don’t be afraid to purchase the higher-tier fluid, either. It’s much less likely to freeze than the cheaper blends.
Check and Refill Your Tires
Tire pressure drops by about one PSI for every ten degrees of temperature. So, if it’s minus 10 degrees now, and the last time you checked your tire pressure was when it was 90 degrees during a heat wave in July, your tire pressure may be dangerously low and will jeopardize your car’s handling.
It helps to check your tire pressure every day. During the winter, temperatures can swing by as much as 40 degrees between night and day. Regularly checking your tires and refilling them with an air compressor or at a gas station will help with your car’s traction and maneuverability.
Defog Your Headlights
Most cars have plastic headlight covers that can grow foggy over time. It’s especially important to clear this fog before attempting any winter driving in Colorado. Colorado gets only 10 hours of daylight during the winter, so you’re much more likely to drive in low-light conditions. If your headlights are foggy, it can make it harder for you to see any obstructions, pedestrians, or other cars in the roadway.
There are several home remedies and cleaning products people use to defog their headlights, and you’re welcome to try them. But the most effective solution is to take the car to an auto service center or car detailing location and have them clear that cloudy layer.
Review the Car & Emergency Checklist
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you keep all the following items in your vehicle before doing any winter driving in Colorado:
- Cell phone
- Portable charger
- Batteries
- Shovel
- Windshield scraper
- Battery-powered radio with extra batteries
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Water
- Snack food
- Extra hats, coats, and mittens
- Blankets
- Chains or rope
- Tire chains
- Canned compressed air with sealant for emergency tire repair
- Road salt and sand
- Booster/jumper cables
- Emergency flares
- Bright colored flag or help signs
- First aid kit
- Tool kit
- Road maps
- Compass
- Waterproof matches and a can to melt snow for water
- Paper towels
Prep Your Car Every Day and Remain Alert
You need to remain alert to the condition of the road and your vehicle when doing any winter driving in Colorado. Before starting any trip, make sure to:
- Brush the snow off your vehicle.
- Remove ice and snow from all glass surfaces.
- Clear your headlights and taillights of snow and frost so other drivers can see you.
By doing all of these steps and remaining conscious of adverse road conditions, you can greatly decrease your chances of being involved in an accident.
Involved in a Car Accident? Call McDivitt Law for Help
Colorado Winter Driving Preparation FAQ
How does preparing my car for Colorado winter driving help me avoid lawsuits?
Winter driving in Colorado isn’t just tricky—it can be legally risky too. When snow and ice cover the roads, drivers are expected to take extra precautions to keep themselves and others safe. If you skip those steps and end up in an accident, you could be seen as negligent under Colorado law. Taking a few hours to properly prep your vehicle for winter protects your safety, your wallet, and your legal record.
Being proactive with car maintenance shows that you’ve taken reasonable care, which is a key part of Colorado’s negligence laws. If you get into a collision, having solid maintenance records, proper tires, and working wipers could make a big difference in how fault is assigned. Something as simple as keeping your headlights clear and your washer fluid full shows you were being a responsible driver, not a careless one.
Preparation also matters when it comes to your insurance. Many insurance providers expect you to maintain your car in good condition to remain eligible for full coverage. If you’re in an accident caused by something like worn tires or frozen brakes, it could lead to higher premiums. By keeping your car winter-ready, you’re making sure there’s no question that you did your part to drive safely.
Finally, the easiest way to stop a lawsuit is to avoid the accident altogether. Winter-ready cars handle better, stop more reliably, and are less likely to cause a crash. Plus, if your car is well-maintained, and someone else crashes into you, your maintenance records can be used to prove that the crash wasn’t caused by an issue with your vehicle.
Step-by-Step Guide: Getting Your Car Ready for Colorado Winter
- Check your antifreeze and top it off if needed to prevent freezing.
- Replace old windshield wipers with winter-grade blades.
- Refill washer fluid with a freeze-resistant formula.
- Make sure your tires have an acceptable amount of tread.
- Monitor tire pressure often. Cold weather lowers PSI fast.
- Swap to snow tires if you drive through mountain passes or heavy snow.
- Clean or polish your headlights for clear visibility.
- Test your heater and defroster before the first freeze.
- Check your car battery. Cold drains weak ones quickly.
- Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid frozen lines.
- Pack an emergency kit (food, blankets, flashlight, jumper cables, shovel, etc.).
- Carry sand or cat litter to help with traction if you get stuck.
- Clean all snow and ice off your windows, mirrors, lights, and roof.
- Lift your windshield wipers on freezing nights so they don’t stick to your windshield.
- Double-check your insurance coverage for winter-related incidents.
- Make sure your registration, lights, and inspection are current.
- Review Colorado’s winter traction and chain laws, especially for mountain travel.
- Keep a record of your winter maintenance—it proves you take driving safety seriously.
