How I'm Preparing My 4Runner for Its First Winter in Alaska, by Dylan Cook on YouTube. 8 min 43 s.
- Video length
- 8 min 43 s
- Time to do it
- 2 hours
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Check your tires first. Switch to winter or three-peak-rated tires if you get regular snow and ice, and check the tread depth and pressure on all four.
Buy a jump pack and keep it charged in the car. A portable lithium jump starter lets you restart a dead battery without another vehicle.
Test the battery. Cold weather cuts cranking power, so have it load-tested at a parts store if it is more than three or four years old.
Put a snow brush and ice scraper in the cabin, not the trunk. You want to clear the windows before you drive off.
Add basic recovery gear: a tow strap, a small shovel and traction boards or sand for when you get stuck.
Check your lights. Test headlights, brake lights, turn signals and hazards, and replace any dim or burnt bulbs.
Fit rain guards above the windows if you want to crack them open in rain or snow without water getting in.
Replace worn windshield wipers and top up with winter washer fluid rated for low temperatures.
Tips and common mistakes
Never run summer tires in freezing temperatures, since the rubber hardens and loses grip.
Keep the jump pack charged and stored where you can reach it, not buried under luggage.
Clear snow from the roof and hood before driving so it does not blow onto your windshield or other cars.
Questions
Do I really need winter tires?
If you regularly drive on snow and ice, yes. Winter tires stay soft in the cold and grip far better than summer tires. All-season tires are a compromise.
How often should I check my battery in winter?
Test it before the cold sets in and again mid-winter if starting feels slow. A battery over three or four years old is the most likely to fail in freezing weather.
What should go in a winter car kit?
At minimum a snow brush, ice scraper, jump pack, warm blanket, small shovel and traction aids. Add a phone charger and some snacks for longer trips.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
