Winter is almost here and if you drive a convertible car, then you may be tempted to store it until Springtime. But what if you want to drive it during the wintertime? You can! However, it pays to be as safe as possible when doing so. Here are five tips for driving your convertible car during the winter.

1. Make sure that the convertible’s soft top is in good shape

Whether or not you live in a snow state, having the cold weather blow in through your car’s soft top is not fun. In that case, Car Buzz notes that before you brave any winter drive, you may want to inspect your car’s convertible top and check for any holes or tears. If you find any, then you may want to consider getting them patched up before the colder months hit. Snow, rain, and chilly breezes can easily get past those holes and tears, making a mess of your car’s interior or worse.

2. Clear the snow off the soft top

While most convertible soft tops are designed for withstanding some snowfall, it’s important to keep your car’s top clear of snow piling as much as possible. Snow sitting on a car can weigh up to 15 pounds per cubic foot, which means that if you leave the snow sitting on your car’s soft top for a while, it could damage the soft top frame.

To prevent that from happening use a snow brush or broom to clean the car off from time to time. Also, it is important to do this before you go for a drive as well.

3. Buy winter tires

If you live in a snow state, then this tip should be a no-brainer. However, we can’t stress enough how well winter tires can perform in the snow compared to all-season tires. Of course, a good set of all-seasons – like the Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season tires – can handle moderate amounts of snowfall and snowy pavement, but a good set of winter tires can do even better. That’s especially true if you’re planning to drive a convertible sports car during the wintertime.

4. Keep the car as clean as possible

Road salt, snow, and dirt can not only leave your convertible car dirty in the wintertime, but it can also end up leading to rust spots. In order to prevent that from happening, remember to keep your car as clean as possible during the cold months. However, just remember to follow our tips for washing a car in cold weather.

5. Drive slowly

As always, if the snow is falling and you’re driving a convertible car, especially a sporty one, then remember to take it easy and slow down. If your car has a rear-drive configuration, it may be tempting to drift it from time to time, but one second of losing control could mean months of costly repairs. Be safe and slow it down.

Driving a convertible car in the wintertime is possible

While most convertible car owners think that they need to store their cars for the winter, that’s not technically true. By taking the proper care and precautions, you can enjoy your convertible car all year round. Although, putting the top down should probably be reserved for the spring and summer months.