A cold morning is a frustrating time to discover your car will not start. Before winter arrives, give your vehicle—and your roadside backup plan—a little attention.
Whether you commute through Minneapolis, drive across St. Paul, or leave your car at MSP Airport while traveling, this fall car checklist gives you a practical place to start.
Check your battery before you need a jump start
Cold temperatures reduce battery power while gasoline and diesel engines require more power to start. Have a mechanic check your battery and charging system before winter. NHTSA winter guidance.
Make that appointment part of your fall routine. If your car is already struggling to start, describe the symptoms to the mechanic rather than waiting for a colder day. If you need roadside help, learn about our jump-start service.
Check tire pressure and condition
Check pressure when your tires are cold, using the recommendation on the driver’s door label or in your owner’s manual. Inspect for damage and check your spare, too. NHTSA tire guidance.
Knowing whether you have a usable spare also helps when you call for flat tire assistance.
Prepare for snow-covered windshields
Check your lights, wipers, and defrosters. Replace worn wiper blades and fill the washer reservoir with winter-rated fluid before freezing weather arrives. NHTSA vehicle preparation.
Keep your scraper somewhere you can reach it easily. A few minutes of preparation at home is easier than searching through the trunk before an early commute.
Put a winter kit in your car
Pack blankets, gloves, a flashlight, an ice scraper, a small shovel, a phone charger, water, and snacks. NHTSA emergency supplies.
Choose one place to keep the kit and tell other drivers in your household where it is.
Check road conditions before leaving
Use Minnesota 511 to check conditions and closures before a winter trip. MnDOT identifies 511 as a source for updated winter road information. MnDOT travel information.
Watch for black ice, particularly around bridges and overpasses. Reduce speed, leave more stopping distance, and avoid cruise control in winter conditions. MnDOT black ice guidance.
Give yourself room to change your departure time when conditions deteriorate.
Know what to do if you become stranded
If stalled in winter weather, stay with your vehicle unless the location presents an immediate danger. Keep the exhaust clear of snow and run the engine only intermittently for warmth. NHTSA emergency guidance. Call 911 for immediate danger or a medical emergency.
When requesting roadside help, share your exact location, vehicle description, and what happened. At an airport or parking ramp, include the terminal, level, or nearby signs.
Save a local roadside assistance number
MSP Towing & Recovery provides 24/7 roadside assistance and emergency towing in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the MSP Airport area, including jump starts, flat tire changes, lockouts, and fuel delivery.
Need help? Call (612) 391-7272, text 612-402-1111, or contact MSP Towing & Recovery. Response times depend on weather, traffic, location, and call conditions.
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