Cold Start: Keeping Your Car Alive in Sub-Zero Temps
Winter car camping can be incredible - quiet mornings, untouched snow, and the mountain all to yourself. But when the temperatures drop below freezing, your car becomes your lifeline. If it doesn’t start, you’re not just inconvenienced - you’re stuck in the cold.
Here’s how to keep your vehicle (and yourself) safe, warm, and road-ready through the coldest nights.
1. Give Your Car a Winter Checkup
Before you head into the mountains, do a quick maintenance run-through. Cold weather exposes every weakness your car has.
Fluids: Top off antifreeze, washer fluid, and oil (cold-weather grades help).
Belts and hoses: Cold air makes rubber brittle - check for cracks or soft spots.
Wipers: Swap them for winter blades and refill with freeze-resistant fluid.
Battery: Cold kills weak batteries fast. If it’s over 3 years old, have it tested or replaced before your trip.
Basecamp Tip: Keep a portable jump starter in your glovebox - it’s worth every penny when you’re miles from help. Plus, that help doesn’t come cheap.
2. Know Your Tires
Tires lose pressure as temperatures drop - about 1 PSI for every 10°F. Underinflated tires reduce traction and make your car work harder to start moving on snow or ice.
Check tire pressure regularly and keep a small air compressor handy.
Consider snow-rated all-terrains or dedicated winter tires if you camp often in the cold.
3. Protect Your Battery Overnight
A dead battery is the #1 cause of winter breakdowns.
Avoid using accessories (like lights or music) when the engine’s off.
If possible, start your car briefly every few hours overnight during extreme cold.
Keep jumper cables or a lithium jump pack inside the vehicle (cold air drains them too).
4. Prevent Frozen Locks and Doors
Moisture sneaks in fast. Use silicone spray on door seals and WD-40 in locks before a trip. Keep a small bottle of lock de-icer inside your car - not in the glovebox, where it can freeze shut.
5. Manage Condensation and Moisture
Condensation builds up when you’re breathing, cooking, and sleeping in a sealed car - it can lead to frost inside your windows or even mold.
Crack a window slightly overnight for airflow.
Keep a microfiber towel handy to wipe windows in the morning.
Use small RV moisture absorbers under your platform or near windows to help keep your setup dry and fresh.
Basecamp Tip: The drawers and cubbies in a modular platform system keep wet gear separate from your sleeping space, helping prevent condensation from spreading. Use an old towel as a liner for snow gear to help prevent water pooling.
6. Pack for Emergencies
Always have a winter safety kit ready:
Jumper cables or jump starter
Shovel
Ice scraper
Emergency Blanket or sleeping bag
Extra gloves & socks
Tire chains
Headlamp
Extra food and water
Portable phone charger
First aid kit
Even a short drive can turn into an overnight if the weather shifts suddenly.
7. Prep for Overnight Freezing Temps
If you’re sleeping in your car:
Keep a hot water bottle in your sleeping bag for radiant heat. (you can fill up a nalgene with hot water at a gas station)
Store electronics in your sleeping area - freezing temps can drain or damage batteries.
Don’t leave liquids or food outside overnight; they’ll freeze solid by morning.
8. Keep a Backup Plan
Even the best prep can’t beat brutal cold. Always know where you can go if something goes wrong - a 24-hour gas station, a friend’s house, or a nearby motel (even if it’s just the lobby of a Hilton while you figure things out).
Keep your gas tank at least half full, your phone charged, and park legally - some lots or towns have restrictions on overnight stays, especially during plowing hours.
Final Thoughts
Winter camping pushes both you and your gear to the limit - but it’s also some of the most rewarding time you’ll spend outdoors. Treat your car like a partner, not just a vehicle. Prep it, respect it, and it’ll carry you through nights colder than most people ever see.
