When you should start winterizing your car
What you will need to do to winterize your car
Final word
When you should start winterizing your car
Snow is possible in Alaska in most places from October through the middle of the spring. That is why you should have your car completely winterized by the end of September. Considerable amounts of snow can fall from the middle of October on. However, rain can still occur earlier than that and freeze overnight on roads in certain instances. So, it would make sense to have your car winterized with trustworthy tires by then.
You should note that if you are considering the use of studded tires as a part of winterizing your car in Alaska, state law forbids using them prior to September 30th in the south and September 15th in the north. If you are pulled over with studded tires prior to these dates, you can get a hefty fine. We do recommend some kind of winter or studded tire in Alaska because they greatly improve traction on snow and ice.
What you will need to do to winterize your car
Winterizing your car will not be that difficult. It will cost some money, but you should be able to keep it to one or two hundred dollars. That is a small price in comparison to the possibility of totaling your unprepared vehicle in winter weather.
In order to winterize your car in Alaska you will need to start with your wipers and tires. There are special winter weather windshield wipers the same way there are special tires made for driving in winter conditions. In terms of winter tires, you will have a few choices. There are studded tires as we have already mentioned and there are studless tires as well. Overall, both are great solutions for snow and ice in Alaska. The difference is that you will have to change out the studs on the studded tires or remove them completely. We recommend “Studless ice and snow” tires if you can find them for these reasons.
You will also need to get your car serviced in order to have it completely winterized. This will include getting your brakes, battery, hoses, belts and overall engine health checked prior to October. If anything needs to be replaced soon, get it replaced as soon as you find out.
Final word
Getting your vehicle winterized in Alaska should be a priority before it starts snowing. You should have your car fully winterized in Alaska by the end of September or, at the very latest, the middle of October when heavier snow can start falling. Your car winterization checklist should include but not be limited to wipers, tires, brakes, belts, hoses, and battery.
