Winter readiness is about more than getting your BMW or Audi started on a cold morning. Tires, visibility, coolant protection, and small problems that worsen in the cold all affect how confidently your car handles winter driving.
A few checks before temperatures drop can help you avoid preventable trouble. Here are seven common winter-prep mistakes, and how to fix them.
1. Treating tire choice as a year-round decision
A tire that feels fine in mild weather may not offer the same grip when temperatures fall. Summer tires are not designed for cold conditions, while winter tires use compounds and tread patterns suited to cold, snowy, or icy roads. All-season tires may suit some drivers, but the right choice depends on your vehicle, tire specifications, and typical winter driving.
All-wheel drive can help your car accelerate, but it cannot create grip where the tires have none. Before winter, check your tire type, tread condition, and sidewalls for damage. If you’re considering a seasonal tire setup, review your owner’s manual and choose a size and specification approved for your vehicle. Imola’s tire and wheel care guide offers more guidance for performance-oriented vehicles.
2. Checking tire pressure when the tires are warm
Cold weather can lower tire pressure. If you check after driving, the tires may be warm and the reading may not reflect their cold pressure, so it’s easy to miss that they need attention.
Check pressure when the tires are cold and follow the specification on the driver’s door label or in your owner’s manual. Don’t use the maximum pressure printed on the tire sidewall as your target. Check all four tires regularly, and pay attention to the tire-pressure monitoring system if it alerts you. After seasonal wheel changes, follow the model-specific instructions for resetting or initializing the system.
For practical guidance, see the NHTSA’s winter driving tips and the manufacturer’s recommendations for your model.
3. Leaving summer washer fluid and worn wipers in place
A dirty, streaked windshield is more than an annoyance when winter roads throw slush and spray onto the glass. Summer washer fluid may freeze in low temperatures, and worn wiper blades can leave areas uncleared just when visibility matters most.
Before freezing weather arrives, fill the reservoir with washer fluid rated for the temperatures you expect. Check the front and rear wipers for cracking, splitting, or streaking, and replace them if they no longer clear the glass evenly. Also test the washer nozzles to make sure fluid reaches the windshield.
If your wipers are frozen to the glass, don’t switch them on and risk damaging the blades or mechanism. Free them carefully, and clear snow and ice from the windshield before driving.
4. Assuming the coolant is ready because the level looks normal
A normal-looking coolant level doesn’t tell you whether the fluid has enough freeze protection for winter. Coolant also needs to meet your BMW’s or Audi’s specific requirements; topping up with the wrong product can cause problems even if the color looks similar.
Have the coolant condition and freeze protection checked against your vehicle’s specifications. If you’re topping it up yourself, consult the owner’s manual and use only the specified fluid. Check the level only when the engine is cold, and never open a hot, pressurized cooling system.
5. Overlooking door seals and the small things that freeze
Dirt and trapped moisture around door seals can contribute to a frozen-shut door when temperatures drop. A little attention before winter can reduce the chance of wrestling with a stuck handle on a cold morning.
Clean and dry the seals, then look for tears, hardening, or other damage. If your owner’s manual recommends a seal-care product, use one that is safe for your vehicle’s materials. Avoid improvised treatments that could damage the rubber. If a door does freeze, don’t force the handle; try to free the seal gently and dry it once the door opens.
It’s also worth checking that doors and latches operate normally before the first hard freeze. If a latch sticks or a seal is damaged, have it assessed rather than waiting for a colder day to expose the problem.
6. Forgetting that headlights need winter cleaning, too
Snow, slush, and road grime can coat headlight lenses and reduce the light reaching the road. It’s easy to remember the windshield and overlook the lamps, especially when the buildup happens during a short drive.
Before setting off, clear snow and ice from your headlights, rear lamps, signals, and other exterior lights. Check that the lights work and that the lenses are clean. If a headlight looks damaged, cloudy, or poorly aimed, arrange an inspection. Good visibility depends on being able to see clearly, and on other drivers being able to see you.
7. Dismissing a new noise because “cars sound different in winter”
Cold weather can change the way a car feels and sounds, but a new clunk, squeal, vibration, or warning light shouldn’t automatically be written off as normal. An issue that seems minor in mild weather may become more noticeable, or more disruptive, once parts and road conditions are colder.
Pay attention to when the sound occurs: during startup, braking, steering, or over bumps. Note whether it fades after driving or continues. Those details help a technician narrow down the cause. If the noise is persistent, worsening, or accompanied by a warning light or change in handling, arrange an inspection rather than waiting for spring.
Make a pre-winter inspection part of your routine
The easiest mistake to make is skipping a broader check because the car seems fine today. A pre-winter inspection can bring together the smaller items that are easy to forget: tires and pressure, wipers and washer fluid, coolant protection, door seals, and exterior lighting. It’s also a chance to mention unusual noises and briefly check for winter-related grime underneath.
If you’re looking for a BMW specialist in the Twin Cities or need Audi service in the Twin Cities, Imola Motorsports in Plymouth, MN, works with European vehicles and drivers throughout the Twin Cities, including Wayzata. The shop was founded in 2009 and has ASE-certified, dealership-trained technicians. Qualifying parts and labor are backed by a 24-month/24,000-mile warranty.
A little preparation can make winter driving more predictable and help you address small concerns before they grow. Book a winter prep inspection at Imola Motorsports, or contact the shop to schedule.