Select Inventory Bonus Cash Up To $1,500 On select in-stock vehicles. Now through November 2. View Red Tag Vehicles › Most winter breakdowns we see in the service drive start as something small: a tired battery, a low tire, a wiper that streaks. None of it is expensive to catch in the fall. All of it is expensive at 7 a.m. on a January morning on Mack Avenue. Use this list at home, or let our technicians run through it for you before the first hard freeze.
The checklist
Tap each item as you go. It works on your phone in the driveway.
Plug-in and hybrid owners
Cold weather reduces battery range on plug-in models like the Wrangler 4xe and Pacifica Hybrid. Keep them plugged in when you can, and if your model offers scheduled cabin preconditioning, warm the cabin while it is still on the charger so you start the drive with a full battery. The 2026 Cherokee is a self-charging hybrid, so it needs no plug, but its 12-volt battery and tires still belong on the list above.
What about oil?
You don't need to switch to a special winter oil. Use the grade listed in your owner's manual. If your next oil change falls between now and the end of the year, do it with your winter check and save a trip.
Signs you should come in now
- The engine cranks slowly on cold mornings, or the battery light flickers.
- The tire pressure light comes on after the first cold night.
- The 4WD light flashes or the system won't engage.
- Your Jeep or Ram pulls to one side or the steering wheel shakes after hitting a pothole. That usually means alignment or wheel balance, and a bulge in the sidewall means the tire needs replacing before it fails.
Pothole or slide-off damage beyond alignment? Our collision center handles repairs and works with your insurance.
Book it once, cover everything
Tell the advisor you want the winter check when you schedule. We'll test the battery and coolant, measure tread and set pressures, inspect brakes, lights and wipers, and confirm your 4x4 engages, then give you a clear list of anything that needs attention, with prices, before we do any work. Check our service specials first for current offers.
Shopping for a winter vehicle instead? Read our Jeep 4x4 systems guide for Michigan winters.
Jonathan Boden, Service Manager
Questions we hear at the store
When should I get my car ready for winter in Michigan?
Before the first hard freeze, which in Metro Detroit usually means October or November. Getting it done early avoids the rush that follows the first cold snap and the first snowfall.
How much does cold weather affect tire pressure?
Tire pressure drops about 1 psi for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit the temperature falls. Check and set your pressures to the numbers on the driver's door jamb after the first real cold snap.
Do I need winter tires if I have a Jeep 4x4?
4x4 helps you get moving, but it does not help you stop or turn on ice. Winter tires stay flexible below about 45 degrees and grip ice and packed snow far better, so they are worth considering for any vehicle driven through a Michigan winter.
Do I need a different oil for winter?
No. Use the oil grade listed in your owner's manual. If an oil change is due soon, combine it with your winter check.
How often should I wash road salt off my vehicle?
Regularly through the salt season, typically December through March, and choose a wash that cleans the undercarriage. Salt left on brake lines and underbody parts speeds up corrosion.
What should be in a winter emergency kit?
An ice scraper, blanket, gloves, phone charger, jumper cables or a booster pack, a small shovel, and sand or kitty litter for traction if you get stuck.