--- title: "DeBoer’s Explains: Why Winter Maintenance Matters" description: Beat winter with expert car maintenance tips from DeBoer’s Auto. Learn about battery health, antifreeze, and salt removal to keep your vehicle safe and reliable. image: https://www.deboersauto.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/A%20snowy%20winter%20landscape%20stretches%20out%20under%20a%20gray%20overcast%20sky%20with%20heavy%20snowflakes%20gently%20falling%20In%20the%20foreground%20a%20wellmaintained%20car%20sits%20part.png --- [![KO_DeBoers_Insignia_LOGO_Final_01](https://www.deboersauto.com/hs-fs/hubfs/KO_DeBoers_Insignia_LOGO_Final_01.png?width=282&height=200&name=KO_DeBoers_Insignia_LOGO_Final_01.png) ![Copy of Deboers_LOGO_Final_01-01](https://www.deboersauto.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DeBoers%20Auto%20Logo%202018/Copy%20of%20Deboers_LOGO_Final_01-01.png?width=250&height=144&name=Copy%20of%20Deboers_LOGO_Final_01-01.png) ](https://www.deboersauto.com/) [![(973)529-836083 State Route 23 NorthHamburg, NJ 07419](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/354552/9a49b6ea-d33c-4ef3-b93b-8d71b1708c47.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/354552/9a49b6ea-d33c-4ef3-b93b-8d71b1708c47) [**](https://www.deboersauto.com/blog/deboers-explains-why-winter-maintenance-matters#tmpmodule_1568761248550301) ** ###### 3 min read # [DeBoer’s Explains: Why Winter Maintenance Matters](https://www.deboersauto.com/blog/deboers-explains-why-winter-maintenance-matters) By [Bill DeBoer](https://www.deboersauto.com/blog/author/bill-deboer) on Feb 3, 2026 1:16:25 PM ###### Topics: [Winter maintenance tips](https://www.deboersauto.com/blog/topic/winter-maintenance-tips) ![snow covered red car ](https://www.deboersauto.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/A%20snowy%20winter%20landscape%20stretches%20out%20under%20a%20gray%20overcast%20sky%20with%20heavy%20snowflakes%20gently%20falling%20In%20the%20foreground%20a%20wellmaintained%20car%20sits%20part.png) Winter Isn’t Letting Up: Why Staying Ahead of Maintenance is the key to living life uninterrupted. After a couple of snowstorms that dumped on us in January, it feels like the winter weather is just not letting up. When the snow starts piling up and the temperatures plummet toward zero, the last thing you want to deal with is a vehicle that won't cooperate.At DeBoer’s Auto, our mission is simple: we are here to help people live life uninterrupted. To do that, we have to stay ahead of the elements. Winter maintenance isn't just a suggestion; it’s the difference between making it to work on time and being stuck in a freezing parking lot waiting for a tow truck. The Heartbeat of Your Car: The Battery The first thing we need to talk about is your battery. It is the component we see fail most often during these zero-degree stretches. Every time you come in for an oil change, we check your battery’s state of health because we want to ensure that when you turn that key, the car does exactly what it’s supposed to do. In the Northeast, a car battery typically only lasts about four years. If you’re pushing the envelope with an older battery, you’re playing a risky game with the cold. It is way easier, cheaper, and more convenient to have it swapped out proactively. Think of a[ new battery](https://www.deboersauto.com/blog/advantages-of-having-an-auto-technician-replace-your-battery) as "cheap insurance" to make sure your car functions properly when the most inconvenient moments strike. Don't Get Locked Out Another issue we see—which is actually quite painful to watch—happens when a battery finally dies. In today’s world, almost nobody uses their physical key lock anymore; we all rely on the remote. But when your car is dead, that remote won't work. If you haven't used that physical lock in years, it’s likely seized solid with road grime and corrosion. This is why we emphasize lubricating your locks and door hinges. We also suggest that you treat the rubber seals around your doors. If your car sits outside during a snowstorm, those seals can freeze together, effectively welding your door shut. A little bit of lubricant goes a long way in ensuring you can actually get into your vehicle to start your day. The Truth About Coolant and Antifreeze Next up is your coolant—or as we call it this time of year, antifreeze. Gone are the days when people would swap out water for the summer and [antifreeze for the winter](https://www.deboersauto.com/blog/a-coolant-flush-is-an-important-part-of-preventive-maintenance); we run antifreeze all year long now. However, its protective properties can break down over time. Part of our assessment is testing that fluid to ensure it can support the sub-zero temperatures we are seeing right now. If you haven't had your coolant exchanged within the past two years, now is the time to do it. Protecting your engine block from freezing and cracking is one of the most vital steps in keeping your vehicle on the road. The "Sticky" Problem: Salt and Brine Finally, let's talk about the abuse your car’s undercarriage takes. The state uses a brine solution on the highways now that often contains molasses. While that helps the salt stick to the road, it also means it sticks to your car like glue. It is incredibly corrosive and can wreck a vehicle’s frame and brake lines faster than you’d think. Our best advice? Periodically—preferably after every snowstorm, once the roads are clear and safe—head to the car wash. Look for the "Platinum" package that includes the undercarriage spray. It’s a few extra dollars, but it’s money well spent to get that sticky, salty mess off your car and extend its useful life. Winter is tough, but your car can be tougher if we keep it prepared. For more tips on staying safe this season, head over to autorepair.shop and let’s keep you moving. [![Schedule Vehicle Service Now](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/354552/interactive-171610862621.png) ](https://www.deboersauto.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLIkdLwTJotCJHfTi1cbtXUSvGE83US29IHvQVR1Z33YAqTRkuGa3Gopq7bTvnw9hIJfDVvwY3nK1gV0FzlsxpQQCRfu5Pkrrl0MRPY9vUlcqMDM7YUihyS6Fqg9HJmTQrAcdRYs3wjmgpziVjdjUp7y%2BPcC3r8CuXxbggqQEaRjXvxHoWoPfHmJdGjCqHLrH0FYA5VLUx1JXELajzP1poaeukI%2FWOeYTI2ucwg5Ng%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=171610862621&portalId=354552)   - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![Bill DeBoer](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/b794ce60bb0e2a447f9db08a88a1b429) #### Written by [Bill DeBoer](https://www.deboersauto.com/blog/author/bill-deboer) William J. DeBoer is the Visionary at DeBoer’s Auto. As the company’s CEO, Bill has been responsible for bringing innovations in daily operations to the full-service, high-tech auto repair facility for 20+ years. Passionate about computers from an early age, Bill’s interest in technology gravitated to cars while he was in college. By obtaining a Certificate in Automotive Technology followed by a B.S. in Business Management from Penn State, Bill was able to fuse his interests into a car technology specialization and join the family business shortly thereafter. 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