Winter weather conditions are often responsible for some car malfunctions. However, most of these problems can be avoided by taking care of your car and taking precautionary measures before the cold sets in. Preparing your car for winter is not a difficult or complicated thing. You need to add a new windshield cleaner, check the tire pressure and keep the tank full. These little tricks will give you a lot of peace of mind and will keep the vehicle at peak performance throughout the winter months. Read on for more details.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparing the Car Exteriors
Step 1. Replace the wipers and windshield cleaner
Poor visibility is very dangerous when driving, especially in winter, so make sure both the wipers and the fluid are in good condition.
- Older wipers are prone to cracking, cutting or simply not working properly when there is icy precipitation. Check yours for cracks or damage on the rubber part and remember that the wipers, however, should be replaced every 6-12 months. You could consider purchasing a specific model for the winter.
- Fill the windshield cleaner reservoir with new fluid. Some are enriched with an antifreeze and are excellent for the winter.
Step 2. Check the pressure of all tires
It is very important to inflate the tires to the right pressure in winter. Flat tires have lower traction power and can cause skidding on ice.
- Remember that tire pressure is affected by temperature. In fact, it should be reduced by about 0.5 PSI for each degree centigrade of temperature that falls. Therefore it is important to constantly monitor the pressure throughout the cold months.
- Use a pressure gauge to check if the tire pressure meets the manufacturer's standards for your vehicle. If you are not sure which they are, check the label on the edge of the driver's door.
- If you don't have a pressure gauge, you can go to the gas station, who can also inflate your tires if necessary. It is usually a free or very inexpensive service.
- While checking the pressure, it also evaluates the wear of the tires. If you need to replace or turn them, do it before the cold sets in.
Step 3. Spread a layer of wax on the bodywork before winter arrives
The wax protects the surface from snow, dirt and salt. The car will look better and the paint will be safe.
- Before waxing, wash the vehicle thoroughly. Don't forget to rinse the underbody as well to remove salt or sand residues.
- Try to do this before it starts snowing or the temperature drops below 12 ° C. This way you protect the paint and it will be easier to remove snow and ice.
- Washing the bodywork is a good opportunity to think about the interior as well. Do some order, vacuum the floor and seats. Use upholstery cleaner and clean as needed. You could also replace the mats with waterproof mats to protect the carpet from melting snow and ice.
Step 4. Check the operation of the lights
As mentioned above, visibility is essential, especially on dark winter evenings.
- Furthermore, it is not only important that you see us, but that others can see you too. That's why you need to make sure that all the lights are working.
- Get someone to help you visually check the exterior lights: check the high beams, the tail lights, the positions and the direction indicators (even the emergency ones).
- Remember that lights are a heavy load on your car's electrical circuit because winter days are shorter and darker. So check the battery too.
Part 2 of 3: Check the Mechanics
Step 1. Change the engine oil
When winter approaches, it is an excellent idea to check the oil level and decide if it is appropriate to change it.
- Free fall temperatures cause engine oil to become more viscous (thick). When this happens, the oil flows more slowly from one part of the engine to the other and does not guarantee perfect lubrication. This can cause overheating, as well as blocking the engine.
- It is also advisable to choose a more liquid oil to ensure good engine lubrication. If you do not know what type of oil to use, check the maintenance manual which will certainly contain a table with temperatures and the appropriate type of oil.
- Remember, as a general rule, that the oil should be replaced every 5000 km or at least once every 3 months.
Step 2. Check the belts and hoses
Both are susceptible to wear and tear, as well as being highly affected by the cold.
- If the car does not have to do the 50000 km service - where the belts and pipes are replaced - before winter, then it would be a good idea to check them yourself, to check for damage and change them if necessary.
- This is not a step to be overlooked because if something breaks while driving, you will have no choice but to call the wrecker, an experience that you can even do without during the winter.
Step 3. Replace the old coolant with antifreeze
It is very important that the engine contains the right antifreeze / water ratio before winter approaches, otherwise the coolant will freeze causing the engine to overheat and potentially explode the seals.
- A percentage equal to 50% of antifreeze and 50% of water should be correct for most cars, but in some cases it is advisable to increase the antifreeze up to 60%. Fortunately, there are pre-made solutions that you can buy at gas stations.
- If you are unsure what kind of mixture to use for your radiator, buy an antifreeze tester at the auto parts store. It shouldn't be very expensive.
- If the proportions are wrong, you will need to flush the coolant out of the system before filling it with the right mixture. If it is a procedure that you do not know how to do, entrust it to your trusted mechanic.
Step 4. Make sure all-wheel drive is working
If your car has the function to insert 4-wheel drive, then it is important that the traction control system works perfectly, especially if you have not used this function since last winter.
- A check of this type ensures that you have a system that activates and deactivates smoothly and that the transmission and shift fluids are working properly.
- At this point, you and all the members of your family who drive the car should review how to engage and disengage the four-wheel drive, review the procedure and understand under what conditions it is good to use it. Four-wheel drive improves the car's grip and control on snow and ice roads, preventing you from getting stuck.
- However this does not grant you a faster or less safe driving than it should be in unfavorable conditions.
Step 5. Check the battery
It is essential that it is in good condition, since the cold forces it to extend the charging times and at the same time asks the engine more energy to start. If the battery is in poor condition, it will not be able to handle the winter workload and the engine will not start.
- Keep track of the age of the battery; it usually lasts 3 to 5 years, so if yours is in this range, it might be worth replacing. Ask your trusted mechanic for an opinion.
- While it is not necessary to change it, you should still check it for signs of corrosion on the electrodes and wear on the cables.
- Also check the liquid levels, you can do this by unscrewing the caps located on the top of the battery. If the level is low, add distilled water. Be careful not to let it overflow.
Step 6. Check the heating and units to defrost the rear window and windshield
They are essential to ensure good visibility and comfort while driving, so you need to be sure they work at their best.
- The defrosting unit eliminates condensation from the windshield by blowing hot, dry air onto the glass. If it is malfunctioning, the windshield will fog up and obstruct the view of the road. Make a mechanical check to evaluate its effectiveness. If you notice that the windshield fogs up despite everything, then there may be leaks in the windows and doors that allow moisture to enter the passenger compartment.
- If the heating is not working, you will notice it soon enough, as soon as the cold is biting. So it's important to fix it as soon as possible. It could be an expensive repair, but it will be worth every dollar you spend.
- It is not just about driving comfort, but also about safety. If you are too cold your reaction times and the ability to steer will be compromised. An efficient heating system can save your life if you get stuck somewhere with the car.
Part 3 of 3: Always Be Prepared
Step 1. Make sure the spare wheel is ready for use
When the weather is bad, a spare wheel in perfect condition is indispensable.
- You should check her periodically to make sure she doesn't cheat on you in time of need. You certainly don't want to find out that it is unusable just when you have laundry!
- Check the jack, the wrench and the tools to change the wheel: they must all be in a safe place inside the vehicle and that all your family members know.
Step 2. The fuel tank should always be at least half full
This way you are less likely to freeze the gasoline circuit.
- This happens when condensation forms in an almost empty tank. The condensate turns into water which could freeze in the pipes and at the bottom of the tank.
- In addition, a half-full tank reduces the chances of standing still somewhere without fuel.
Step 3. Organize an emergency kit and keep it inside the car
It is a great idea to have one in case the car breaks down and you find yourself stuck in bad weather conditions.
- The kit should include: boots, gloves, hats, wool blankets, ice scrapers, antifreeze, a torch, salt or cat litter, cables to recharge the battery, first aid kit, some flares, bottles with liquid coolant, cleaner and a radio.
- You should also add long-life snacks (such as unsalted canned peanuts and dehydrated fruit) and a bottle of water. Even if the water freezes, you can thaw it or eat ice.
- Remember to always have your cell phone charger.
Step 4. Consider fitting snow tires
If you live in an area where snow and ice cover the roads for many months a year, you should change normal tires for winter ones.
- Snow tires are softer and more flexible than normal and have a different tread pattern that allows for greater traction even on snowy or icy surfaces.
- Alternatively, always keep a set of snow chains to drive even in difficult conditions. These are especially needed in the mountains.
- You can also evaluate traction mats or a scrap piece of carpet. Both can help to free the wheels in case they get stuck in deep snow.
Step 5. It is important to know what to do if you get stuck
Despite all your efforts to winter-proof the car, sometimes things go wrong and you could get stuck in the snow. So it is vital to know how to behave in order to stay safe and warm in this situation.
- First of all, you should never leave your car, unless you know exactly where you are and how far you will have to walk to find help. If you don't know the place, turn on a flare to draw attention to yourself.
- Try to keep yourself warm as much as possible and wear all the clothes and blankets you find (preferably wool). If you still have fuel, turn on the heating for 10 minutes every hour to raise the cabin temperature (only if you are sure that the exhaust pipe is not blocked).
- Despite it being cold, it is advisable to keep a window slightly open to prevent ice or snow from sealing the car.
- Keep hydrated by drinking water or eating ice, suck on a hard candy to prevent your mouth from drying out.
