Service guide · Ford of Peoria · Peoria, IL
Winter Car Care Checklist for Peoria Drivers
Cold mornings are hard on batteries, tire pressure and fluids, and a Central Illinois storm can leave you stuck on the road. This checklist covers what to check before winter, what to keep in the car, and how cold weather affects your mileage, using guidance from the National Weather Service and FuelEconomy.gov, plus the winter checks our Peoria service center can handle.
The short answer
Before the first hard freeze, have the battery tested, set every tire (including the spare) to the doorjamb placard pressure with the tires cold, top off the fluids, make sure the lights, heater and wipers work, and pack a winter survival kit. Through the season, keep the gas tank near full and recheck tire pressure as temperatures fall. Ford of Peoria's service center can test the battery, check tire pressure and top off fluids, and Ford Mobile Service can replace wipers.
Winter car care checklist
Work through this list in the fall, before temperatures stay below freezing. Your owner's manual has the exact specifications and intervals for your vehicle.
| Item | What to do | Why it matters in winter |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | Have it tested; watch for an audible slow crank, a lit check engine/battery light or a rotten-egg odor. | FuelEconomy.gov notes battery performance decreases in cold weather, making it harder for the alternator to keep the battery charged. |
| Tire pressure | Check all tires, including the spare, at least monthly with the tires cold; use the doorjamb placard pressure. | Tire pressure decreases in colder temperatures, which increases rolling resistance (FuelEconomy.gov). |
| Fluids | Top off oil, coolant (radiator), transmission, power steering, brake and windshield washer fluid as needed. | The National Weather Service says to make sure all fluid levels are full before you head out, especially before a longer winter trip. |
| Lights, heater and wipers | Make sure the lights, heater and windshield wipers are in proper condition. | Also on the National Weather Service's before-you-leave list. |
| Belts and hoses | Have them inspected for cracks, hardening, swelling or chafing. | A belt or hose failure can cause loss of power steering and the charging system, or an overheated engine. |
| Fuel | Keep the tank near full. | The National Weather Service says this helps avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines. |
| Winter kit | Pack a winter survival kit (list below). | If you get stuck, the National Weather Service says to stay with the vehicle. |
Sources: National Weather Service winter safety pages and FuelEconomy.gov, read October 26, 2026; tire pressure, fluid and belt-and-hose guidance from Ford of Peoria's own maintenance advice pages.
What cold weather does to your car
FuelEconomy.gov, run for the Department of Energy and the EPA, lists why winter costs you miles per gallon. Several of the causes, like tire pressure and the battery, are things to check before the season starts.
Cold oil and fluids
Engine and transmission friction increases in cold temperatures because of cold engine oil and other drive-line fluids, and it takes longer for the engine to reach its most efficient temperature.
Short trips hit hardest
A conventional gasoline car's city mileage is roughly 15% lower at 20°F than at 77°F, and can drop as much as 24% on short 3- to 4-mile trips. Combining errands means fewer cold starts.
Lower tire pressure
Tire pressure decreases in colder temperatures, increasing rolling resistance. FuelEconomy.gov's advice: check your tire pressure regularly.
Weaker battery
Battery performance decreases in cold weather, making it harder for the alternator to keep the battery charged.
Idling
Warming the vehicle up by idling lowers fuel economy; idling gets 0 miles per gallon. Most manufacturers recommend driving off gently after about 30 seconds.
Hybrids and EVs
The effect on hybrids is typically greater, and EV range can drop sharply in the cold. Preheating the cabin while plugged in can extend a plug-in hybrid's or EV's range.
From FuelEconomy.gov, "Fuel Economy in Cold Weather," read October 26, 2026. Effects vary by vehicle model.
Pack a winter car kit
Each year, on average, more than 5,000 people are killed and more than 418,000 are injured in weather-related vehicle crashes, according to the National Weather Service. Its winter storm survival kit for vehicles includes:
- Mobile phone, charger and batteries
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- First-aid kit
- Knife
- High-calorie, non-perishable food
- Extra clothing to keep dry
- Sack of sand or cat litter for traction
- Shovel
- Windshield scraper and brush
- Tool kit
- Tow rope
- Battery booster cables
- Water container
- Compass and road maps (do not depend on a phone with limited battery life)
The National Weather Service also suggests avoiding traveling alone, letting someone know your timetable and routes, and calling 511 before you leave for road conditions.
If you are caught in a winter storm
The National Weather Service's advice for drivers: slow down, since even roads that only look wet could be slick, and clear the vehicle completely of ice and snow before the trip.
- If you skid, stay calm, ease off the gas and turn your wheels in the direction you want the front of the car to go.
- With anti-lock brakes (ABS), apply steady pressure to the brake pedal; never pump the brakes.
- If you cannot see, pull over and stop until visibility improves.
- If you get stuck, stay in the vehicle. Run the motor about 10 minutes each hour for heat, open a window a little for fresh air, and clear snow from the exhaust pipe to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Be visible to rescuers: turn on the dome light at night while the engine runs, and tie a bright cloth to the antenna or door.
From the National Weather Service, "What To Do If You're Caught in a Winter Storm," read October 26, 2026.
Winter checks at Ford of Peoria
Our Peoria service center handles many of the vehicle checks on this list: battery service, tire care, fluid top-offs, and belt, hose and brake inspections. When you come in for The Works®, the checkup includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Would you rather not drive in? Ford Mobile Service technicians can handle routine maintenance away from the dealership, including oil and filter changes, brakes, batteries, tire rotation and wiper replacement. Mobile service is offered by participating dealers and may be limited by availability, distance or other dealer criteria; contact us for details.
Schedule service online, and check our service specials before you book. Ford of Peoria is at 2211 W. Pioneer Pkwy. in Peoria. Get directions.
Ford of Peoria service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-noon |
| Sun | closed |
From Ford of Peoria's website, October 26, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Winter car care FAQ
What should I check on my car before winter?
The National Weather Service says to fully check and winterize your vehicle before the season begins, and before a longer winter trip to make sure all fluid levels are full and the lights, heater and windshield wipers are in proper condition. Add the battery and tire pressure: cold weather lowers both battery performance and tire pressure, according to FuelEconomy.gov.
How often should I check tire pressure in winter?
At least once a month, on all tires including the spare, with the tires cold, meaning the vehicle has not been driven for at least three hours. The recommended pressure is on the placard, typically on the driver's side doorjamb. FuelEconomy.gov notes that tire pressure decreases in colder temperatures, and advises checking it regularly.
Why does my gas mileage drop in winter?
FuelEconomy.gov says a conventional gasoline car's city mileage is roughly 15% lower at 20°F than at 77°F, and can drop as much as 24% on short 3- to 4-mile trips. Cold oil and fluids, a longer warm-up, heaters and defrosters, denser air, lower tire pressure and winter-blend gasoline all play a part.
Should I idle my car to warm it up?
FuelEconomy.gov says to minimize idling: most manufacturers recommend driving off gently after about 30 seconds, because the engine warms up faster being driven. Check your owner's manual for your vehicle.
Why keep the gas tank full in winter?
The National Weather Service recommends keeping your gas tank near full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.
Can Ford of Peoria do winter checks at my home?
Ford Mobile Service can handle routine maintenance away from the dealership, such as oil and filter changes, brakes, batteries, tire rotation and wiper replacement. It is offered by participating dealers and may be limited by availability, distance or other dealer criteria, so contact us for details.
Get winter-ready at Ford of Peoria
Book a battery test, tire pressure check or fluid top-off at our Peoria service center, or ask about Ford Mobile Service for routine maintenance such as wiper replacement.
Sources
Winter driving, vehicle checks and the survival kit are from the National Weather Service; cold-weather fuel economy is from FuelEconomy.gov; both read October 26, 2026. Service details, address and hours are from Ford of Peoria's own website, checked the same day. Your owner's manual is the final word for your vehicle. Photo is illustrative.
- Prepare! Don't Let a Winter Storm Take You by Surprise (vehicle checks, winter storm survival kit, crash statistics), National Weather Service, read October 26, 2026
- What To Do If You're Caught in a Winter Storm (in vehicles), National Weather Service, read October 26, 2026
- Fuel Economy in Cold Weather, FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), read October 26, 2026
- General service: fluids, belts and hoses, tire pressure, The Works, Ford of Peoria, October 26, 2026
- Battery service, Ford of Peoria, October 26, 2026
- Ford Mobile Service, Ford of Peoria, October 26, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Ford of Peoria, October 26, 2026