Heading to the World Championship Sled Dog Derby? 5 Winter Car Essentials for Laconia Visitors

The World Championship Sled Dog Derby is rolling into Laconia February 21-23, 2026, and with it comes thousands of visitors from Gilford, Belmont, Tilton, Sanbornton, and beyond. Whether you’re planning to watch the races from the corner of Old North Main Street or you’re coming in from out of town to see the huskies fly, your car needs to be ready for New Hampshire winter conditions.

Here at Sanborn’s Auto Repair on 316 Court St, Laconia, we see it every year. Derby weekend brings folks who’ve been on the road for hours, and their vehicles are already showing the strain of February weather. Dead batteries in parking lots. Bald tires sliding on icy patches. Windshields fogging up because the defroster can’t keep up.

The good news? Most of these problems are preventable with a little prep work. Our shop dogs: who are always happy to greet visitors: have seen their share of stranded travelers over the years, and we’d much rather see you enjoying the races than waiting for a jump start in a snow-covered lot.

Here are the five winter car essentials you need to check before heading to one of the biggest Laconia NH events of the year.

1. Battery Health: Cold Weather’s Public Enemy Number One

Your battery hates February. The colder it gets, the less cranking power it has, and if your battery is more than three or four years old, Derby weekend might be the moment it finally gives up.

Cold temperatures slow down the chemical reactions inside your battery. A battery that’s at 100% capacity in summer might only deliver 50% of its power when temps drop into the single digits. At the same time, your engine oil thickens in the cold, which means your starter needs more power to turn over the engine.

It’s a double whammy. Your battery is weaker, and your car needs more juice to start.

Here’s what to watch for:

• Slow or sluggish engine crank when you turn the key
• Dimming headlights or interior lights
• Clicking sound when you try to start the car
• Battery warning light on your dashboard

If you’re seeing any of these signs, don’t wait until you’re in a crowded parking lot at the Derby. Stop by Sanborn’s Auto Repair for a quick battery test. We can check your battery’s voltage and cold-cranking amps in about ten minutes. If it’s borderline, we’ll let you know: and if it needs replacing, we’ll get you set up with a new one that can handle the Lakes Region winter.

The earlier you catch a weak battery, the less likely you are to get stranded when it matters most.

2. Tires and Traction: Don’t Slide Into the Weekend

February roads around Laconia are unpredictable. One day it’s clear pavement. The next day it’s black ice from Gilford to Belmont. If your tires are worn down or you’re still running all-seasons that have seen better days, you’re playing a dangerous game.

Tread depth matters. A lot.

New tires have about 10/32nds of an inch of tread. Once you’re down to 4/32nds, your tires lose significant traction on wet or slushy roads. By the time you hit 2/32nds: which is the legal minimum in New Hampshire: you’re essentially driving on racing slicks in winter conditions.

Check your tires before Derby weekend:

• Grab a penny and insert it into your tire tread with Lincoln’s head upside down
• If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, your tread is too shallow
• Look for uneven wear patterns: bald spots on the inner or outer edges mean alignment issues
• Check tire pressure (cold weather drops PSI fast)

Winter tires make a massive difference if you’re driving in from Tilton or Sanbornton on back roads. The rubber compound stays flexible in freezing temps, and the tread patterns are designed to bite into snow and ice. All-season tires work for most conditions, but if you’re dealing with hills, curves, or unplowed side streets, winters are worth every penny.

We keep a solid selection of winter and all-season tires in stock at our shop, and we can mount and balance them same-day in most cases. Need an alignment after hitting one too many potholes? We’ve got you covered.

3. Wiper Blades and Washer Fluid: See What’s Coming

You can’t enjoy the Derby if you can’t see where you’re going. Wiper blades wear out faster than most people think: usually every six months to a year: and winter accelerates the damage. Ice scraping, road salt, and freezing temps turn rubber brittle and torn.

If your wipers are streaking, skipping, or leaving chunks of snow on your windshield, replace them before the weekend. It’s a cheap fix that makes a huge difference when you’re driving through a sudden snow squall on Route 3.

Washer fluid is just as important. Regular blue washer fluid freezes around 32°F. That’s fine for October, but in February, you need winter-rated fluid that can handle temps down to -20°F or lower. Nothing is worse than hitting a patch of road spray from a salt truck and realizing your washer fluid is frozen solid in the reservoir.

We stock winter-grade washer fluid at 316 Court St, and we’ll top you off when you stop in for service. It’s one of those little things that saves you from a white-knuckle drive home.

4. The Emergency Kit: Hope You Don’t Need It, But Bring It Anyway

Even if your car is in perfect shape, February in New Hampshire is unpredictable. Roads close. Traffic backs up. Weather turns on a dime. An emergency kit won’t fix a mechanical problem, but it’ll keep you safe and comfortable until help arrives.

Here’s what should be in your trunk for Derby weekend:

• Jumper cables or a portable jump starter
• Ice scraper and snow brush
• Small shovel (the folding kind fits nicely in most trunks)
• Blanket or emergency sleeping bag
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Bottled water and non-perishable snacks
• Reflective triangles or road flares

You’d be surprised how many people we see stuck on the side of the road without basic supplies. A portable jump starter is a game-changer: you can jump your own battery without waiting for another driver to stop and help. They’re small, rechargeable, and worth the $50-$75 investment.

If you’re traveling with kids or elderly passengers, double up on blankets and snacks. Waiting for a tow truck in single-digit temps is miserable, but it’s a lot more bearable if you’re prepared.

5. Antifreeze and Coolant: Keep Your Engine from Turning Into an Ice Block

Your engine coolant does two jobs. In summer, it prevents overheating. In winter, it prevents your engine block from freezing solid. If your coolant is old, diluted, or at the wrong mixture ratio, you’re risking serious engine damage when temps drop below freezing.

Most coolant is a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water, which protects your engine down to about -34°F. That’s plenty for most New Hampshire winters. The trouble is, coolant breaks down over time. The additives that prevent corrosion wear out, and the freeze protection weakens.

Warning signs your coolant needs attention:

• Temperature gauge running hotter than normal
• Sweet smell coming from under the hood
• Puddles of green, orange, or pink fluid under your car
• Engine overheating on short trips

Most manufacturers recommend a coolant flush every 30,000 to 50,000 miles, or every three to five years. If you can’t remember the last time yours was changed, it’s time.

We test coolant concentration as part of our winter prep service. We’ll check the freeze point, look for contamination, and top off your system if needed. It’s a quick check that prevents catastrophic engine failure down the line.

Get Derby-Ready at Sanborn’s Auto Repair

The World Championship Sled Dog Derby only comes once a year, and it’s one of the best weekends in the Lakes Region. Don’t let a dead battery or bald tires keep you from watching the huskies race down the course.

Stop by Sanborn’s Auto Repair at 316 Court St, Laconia before February 21st, and we’ll make sure your car is ready for winter. Our team: and our shop dogs: will be happy to see you. Whether you need a quick inspection or a full winter tune-up, we’ll get you in, get you sorted, and get you back on the road.

Call us at (603) 524-9798 or swing by anytime. We’re here to keep Laconia, Gilford, Belmont, Tilton, and Sanbornton drivers safe all winter long.

Stay warm. Drive safe. See you at the Derby.