Don’t Let Alaska’s Unpredictable Winter Weather Leave You Stranded: Essential Vehicle Preparation Tips

Alaska’s winter season brings some of the most extreme and unpredictable weather conditions in North America. 2024 brought some very pronounced temperature swings in different regions of the state. From late January into February, a prolonged cold spell brought very low temperatures and a reminder of just how cold “winter in Alaska” can be to Fairbanks and Anchorage. There were similarly pronounced warm and hot episodes over the course of the year. With temperatures that can fluctuate dramatically and winter conditions lasting up to eight months, proper vehicle preparation isn’t just recommended—it’s essential for your safety and mobility.

Understanding Alaska’s Extreme Weather Patterns

Long periods of five to ten or more days of extremely low temperatures occur during the winter months, while winter will be not so cold as usual and coldest in December and early January. Precipitation will be below normal. This unpredictability means your vehicle must be prepared for everything from sudden temperature drops to unexpected snow storms and icy conditions.

Snow covers the ground about eight months of the year, and usually falls every month of the year. The combination of extreme cold, persistent snow cover, and temperature fluctuations creates challenging driving conditions that demand comprehensive vehicle winterization.

Critical Tire Preparation

Your tires are your first line of defense against Alaska’s treacherous winter roads. Summer tires go on in May, winter tires go on late September, early October. Yes, you read that right – two sets of tires! Some vehicles can get away with one set of tires for both seasons, but most drivers in Alaska have two sets.

Traction is what keeps your car safely on the road and out of a ditch – or from spinning into other cars around you. And the key to good wintertime traction is having the right tires on your vehicle. Consider these options:

• Studded Tires: Studded tires increase your traction on snow and ice, but can decrease your traction on dry pavement. For those newbies that live up in the mountains or in remote areas of Alaska, even if it is Hillside in Anchorage, go with the studded tires. Just remember that you have to remove your studded tires from May 1st to October 1st.
• Studless Winter Tires: High-quality options like Bridgestone Blizzaks offer excellent winter performance without the legal restrictions of studded tires.

Engine and Fluid Winterization

Alaska’s extreme cold puts tremendous stress on your vehicle’s engine and fluid systems. If your car originates from the Lower 48 that you need to have it changed to oil that handles the cold easier? Me either!! But boy, is that one of the first things long-time Alaskans will tell you to do.

At extreme cold temperatures oil tends to take on the viscosity of honey left in a refrigerator. So when starting a ‘cold’ vehicle, transmission fluids and engine oils are sluggish and thick, settling at the lowest levels of the engine – the transmission and oil pans.

Essential fluid preparations include:

• Engine Oil: Changing engine oil to a lighter weight will also help in keeping the engine protected.
• Antifreeze: The amount and ratio of coolant in your car’s radiator is one of the most important aspects of winterizing your car for an Alaska winter. Most mechanics in Alaska will aim for between a 60:40 and 50:50 mix of antifreeze to water.
• Windshield Washer Fluid: The two most important fluids in terms of weather in a wintery climate to keep an eye on are windshield wiper fluid and anti-freeze. Both of these are crucial to keeping your car drivable in an Alaskan climate.

Engine Block Heaters: A Winter Necessity

I remember vividly the first time I saw a car with an extension cord sticking out of the hood. I couldn’t fathom why in the world it was there! People plug in their cars!!! I kid you not! You will see places for people to plug in everywhere from the mall to random parking lots in little towns.

Block heaters or freeze plug heaters are heating elements that actually stick into the side of the engine. These combined winterization steps keep the engine fluids and lubricants ready to circulate in cold weather, but they do not keep the vehicle’s cooling system from freezing. If you live in Interior Alaska, especially anywhere near Fairbanks, this needs to be on your list.

Battery and Electrical System Maintenance

Winter is hard on car batteries. Not only do they suffer through the abuse of powering defrosters and heaters, but also the fluids inside weakened batteries may freeze on the coldest days. Testing a battery’s ability to hold a charge and replacing it if needed can help keep you from becoming stranded in the cold due to a dead battery.

Have a mechanic check the following: battery, antifreeze, wipers and windshield washer fluid, ignition system, thermostat, lights, flashing hazard lights, exhaust system, heater, brakes, defroster, oil level before winter sets in.

Emergency Preparedness Kit

Most things that might go wrong on a winter road trip are the same mishaps that occur in summer. The difference is that you must change the tire or wait for help in a winter environment. So here is our advice in a nutshell: Take along the items you need to be comfortable and confident while solving problems when it’s cold and/or snowy.

Your winter emergency kit should include:

• A sleeping bag for each traveler. In case of a breakdown, you will be surprisingly toasty and comfortable in winter clothes inside a sleeping bag inside your vehicle. Even if it’s unheated.
• Snow shovel. Many models telescope or fold and can be packed inside spare tire compartment.
• Booster/Jumper cables and/or a pre-charged power bank.
• Small bag of kitty litter or sand for traction. This item could make the difference between sitting for hours and continuing.
• Window ice scraper that reaches center of windshield.

When Professional Help is Needed

Despite your best preparation efforts, Alaska’s unpredictable weather can still catch you off guard. Cellular phone coverage is very sporadic outside Anchorage and Fairbanks. When you find yourself stranded or experiencing vehicle problems in remote areas, having access to reliable professional assistance becomes crucial.

For residents in the Wasilla area, Roadside Assistance Wasilla, AK services provided by Tonka Towz offer peace of mind during winter emergencies. With years of dedicated service under our belt, we’ve established ourselves as the go-to provider for reliable towing and roadside assistance services. Our team of experienced professionals is committed to delivering prompt, courteous, and efficient service, ensuring that you and your vehicle are in safe hands. At Tonk-A-Towz, we understand the importance of quick response times and expert care, making us your trusted partner on the road.

Professional Vehicle Inspection

More so than in summer, vehicle should be in reasonably good working order with no symptoms of a pending breakdown. Frigid temps tend to make existing mechanical problems worse. Before you even ship your vehicle to Alaska, get your car checked out at the shop. You’ll need to be sure that your car is obviously in good general shape, but you’ll also want to be sure that your heat and defrosters are working fine. These are critically important while you’re actually driving to keeping visibility at a maximum.

Essential systems to have professionally inspected include:

• Brakes: Stopping your car in wintery conditions can be tricky enough without a brake failure. Having properly working brakes is a necessity all year, and especially important in winter weather.
• A robust defroster and heater system. All lights working.
• Exhaust system integrity to prevent carbon monoxide issues

Conclusion

Preparing your vehicle for the winter season and knowing how to react if stranded or lost on the road are the keys to safe winter driving. Alaska’s extreme weather fluctuations demand comprehensive preparation, from specialized tires and engine modifications to emergency supplies and professional support systems.

By taking the time for a little vehicle preparation, you can reduce your risk of an accident, as well as help keep yourself and your family safe if an accident does occur. Don’t wait until the first major storm hits—start your winter preparation now to ensure you’re ready for whatever Alaska’s unpredictable weather throws your way.

Remember, proper preparation combined with access to reliable roadside assistance services can make the difference between a minor inconvenience and a dangerous situation during Alaska’s challenging winter months.