When temperatures drop and snow begins to fall, your Ford vehicle faces unique challenges that demand specialized attention. The Ford Winter Package offers comprehensive protection and performance enhancements for cold-weather driving. Understanding how to properly maintain and service these winter-specific features ensures your vehicle remains reliable, safe, and efficient during the harshest months of the year.

What the Ford Winter Package Includes

The Ford Winter Package represents a collection of specialized components and features engineered to optimize vehicle performance in cold-weather environments. While exact specifications vary by model, most Ford Winter Packages include:

• Engine block heater for faster warm-up and reduced strain
• Battery with enhanced cold cranking capacity
• All-weather floor mats to protect interior surfaces
• Remote starter system for pre-warming convenience
• Heated mirrors to maintain visibility in freezing conditions
• Winter-rated windshield washer fluid system
• Snow mode on applicable transmission systems

For SUV and truck models, including the Explorer, F-150, and Bronco, additional winter package components often feature:

• Heated steering wheel for comfort and safety
• Advanced all-wheel drive or 4×4 systems with winter calibration
• Pre-wired trailer connections with cold-weather protection
• Heated windshield wiper park area to prevent freezing

These specialized components work together to create a more reliable, comfortable, and safe winter driving experience, but they also require specific maintenance attention to perform at their best when conditions are at their worst.

Pre-Winter Inspection Points

Battery Performance Assessment

Your Ford battery faces extraordinary demands during winter operation. Before temperatures drop, ensure:

• Battery terminals are clean, tight, and protected from corrosion
• Battery capacity testing confirms sufficient cold cranking amps
• Charging system verification to ensure proper voltage output
• Battery insulation blanket inspection and replacement if damaged

For hybrid models like the Escape Hybrid and Maverick Hybrid, specialized battery systems require professional inspection to verify cold-weather performance capabilities.

Fluid Condition and Levels

Winter operation requires special attention to several critical fluid systems:

• Coolant/antifreeze protection level verified to at least -40°C
• Winter-grade oil that maintains proper viscosity in cold temperatures
• Brake fluid moisture content testing to prevent freezing
• Power steering fluid condition assessment
• Transmission fluid inspection for proper winter viscosity
• Windshield washer fluid replacement with winter-rated formula

The Ford Winter Package includes specialized fluids designed for extreme cold, but these require verification and occasional replenishment to maintain optimal performance throughout the season.

Tire Condition and Pressure

Your Ford connection to winter roads deserves careful attention:

• Winter tire installation with minimum 6mm tread depth
• Tire pressure adjustment to Ford winter specifications
• Wheel alignment verification to prevent uneven wear
• Tire rotation to ensure even tread wear for maximum traction
• Spare tire pressure and condition assessment

For vehicles equipped with the Tire Pressure Monitoring System, specialized winter tire pressure calibration ensures accurate readings during cold-weather operation.

Engine Block Heater Service

Connection and Function Verification

The engine block heater represents one of the most valuable components in your Ford Winter Package:

• Power cord inspection for cracks, damage, or wear
• Connection point examination for corrosion or moisture infiltration
• Heating element testing to verify proper warming function
• Thermostat operation check to prevent overheating
• Timer function verification if equipped

Regular testing ensures this critical component remains ready when temperatures plunge, reducing engine wear and improving fuel efficiency during cold starts.

Installation and Placement Check

For vehicles where block heaters were installed after purchase or need replacement:

• Heater placement verification for optimal thermal transfer
• Cord routing inspection to prevent contact with moving components
• Outlet compatibility assessment for proper amperage
• Weather-resistant connection point verification
• Proper insulation of all electrical connections

Professional inspection of these elements ensures safe and effective operation throughout the winter season.

Remote Starter Maintenance

System Function Verification

Your Ford remote starter provides exceptional convenience during winter, but requires specific maintenance:

• Battery level verification in remote fobs
• Signal strength testing to confirm range
• System programming verification
• Integration check with vehicle security systems
• Temperature sensor calibration for automatic climate control

For models with FordPass Connect, additional verification of app-based remote start functionality ensures reliable operation regardless of distance or conditions.

Safety Feature Confirmation

Remote starter systems incorporate critical safety features that require regular verification:

• Hood safety switch testing to prevent activation during service
• Transmission position sensor confirmation
• Carbon monoxide sensor verification in applicable models
• Proper shutdown sequence testing
• Timer function verification for automatic engine shutdown

These safety systems prevent potential hazards while allowing the convenience of a pre-warmed vehicle on cold winter mornings.

Winter Drivetrain Service

All-Wheel Drive System Preparation

Ford vehicles equipped with Intelligent All-Wheel Drive require specialized winter preparation:

• Transfer case fluid inspection and replacement if needed
• Electronic controller diagnostic assessment
• Sensor calibration verification
• Torque distribution system testing
• Coupling unit inspection for wear or damage

These sophisticated systems adapt instantly to changing winter road conditions but depend on proper maintenance to function optimally.

Four-Wheel Drive System Service

For trucks and SUVs with selectable 4×4 systems:

• Mode selector mechanism function verification
• Front axle engagement system lubrication
• Electronic shift motor diagnostic testing
• Transfer case fluid condition assessment
• Driveshaft universal joint inspection and lubrication

These robust systems handle the most challenging winter conditions but require preventative maintenance to remain reliable during extended cold-weather operation.

Winter-Specific Lighting Service

Visibility System Inspection

Winter’s reduced daylight and increased precipitation make lighting systems critically important:

• Headlight lens cleaning and restoration if cloudy
• Bulb output testing and replacement if below specification
• Fog light alignment and function verification
• Turn signal and hazard flasher testing
• Brake light inspection and bulb replacement if needed

For vehicles equipped with advanced LED lighting systems, diagnostic testing ensures all elements function at full intensity.

Interior Lighting Assessment

Often overlooked, interior lighting plays an important safety role during dark winter conditions:

• Instrument cluster illumination verification
• Map and dome light function testing
• Entry lighting system inspection
• Warning light function verification
• Emergency flashlight charging (if equipped)

These systems enhance safety and convenience during long winter nights and deserve attention during winter package service.

Winter Heating System Service

Climate Control Efficiency

Your Ford heating system requires specific attention before winter arrives:

• Heater core flow testing to verify proper circulation
• Blower motor operation assessment at all speeds
• Climate control calibration verification
• Temperature sensor testing and calibration
• Air distribution system inspection and adjustment

These components ensure passenger comfort while providing essential defrosting capability for safe winter driving.

Supplemental Heating System Inspection

Many Ford models include additional heating elements that require verification:

• Heated seat element continuity testing
• Heated steering wheel function verification
• Heated mirror element inspection
• Heated windshield system assessment (if equipped)
• Auxiliary heater function testing in larger vehicles

These systems dramatically improve winter comfort but can experience wear that requires professional attention before winter arrives.

Winter Protection for Exterior Surfaces

Paint and Finish Preservation

Winter’s harsh conditions can damage exterior surfaces without proper protection:

• Paint sealant application to repel salt and road chemicals
• Underbody protective coating inspection and touch-up
• Door and lock mechanism lubrication with winter-grade products
• Weatherstrip conditioning to maintain flexibility in extreme cold
• Headlight lens protection application

These preventative measures preserve your Ford appearance while preventing costly corrosion damage from winter road treatments.

Undercarriage Protection

Often unseen but critically important, your Ford undercarriage faces the worst of winter conditions:

• Frame and subframe inspection for existing corrosion
• Protective coating application to vulnerable areas
• Drain hole verification to prevent moisture accumulation
• Suspension component lubrication with winter-specific products
• Exhaust system mount inspection and protection

Professional attention to these areas prevents the accelerated deterioration that winter conditions can cause to vital structural components.

Stay Safe with a Ford Winter Package 

The Ford Winter Package transforms your vehicle into a cold-weather champion, equipping it with the features and capabilities for confident winter driving. By properly servicing and maintaining these specialized systems, you ensure they perform optimally even under the worst conditions.

With professional attention to battery systems, fluids, heating elements, and protective measures, your Ford remains ready to handle whatever winter brings. The comprehensive service approach outlined here preserves both performance and value, extending the life of critical components while enhancing your winter driving experience.

Don’t wait until the first snowfall to prepare your Ford for winter conditions. Schedule your Ford Winter Package service before temperatures drop to ensure every system functions perfectly when you need it most. With proper maintenance, your Ford will deliver the reliability, safety, and comfort you expect, even during the most challenging winter conditions.

Disclaimer: Content contained in this post is for informational purposes only and may include features and options from US or international models. Please contact the dealership for more information or to confirm vehicle, feature availability.