How to prepare your car for the winter season?

Winter is a testing time for drivers and their cars. A rapidly changing aura, high temperature amplitudes, high humidity, salt on the roads and piles of frozen snow can cause many problems.

Winter is a testing time for drivers and their cars. A rapidly changing aura, high temperature amplitudes, high humidity, salt on the roads and piles of frozen snow can cause many problems.

We all know this picture very well - a frosty morning, repeated attempts to start the engine and a final failure. This is how winter begins for many drivers. Therefore, in order to avoid unpleasant surprises, it is worth visiting a trusted mechanic or an authorized service center before the winter period.

Tires are sacred

For many, changing tires is the single most important part of winterizing a car. Unfortunately, you can still find drivers who consider seasonal tire replacement an unnecessary expense. Meanwhile, the rubber compound used in the manufacture of summer tires hardens when exposed to low temperatures, which reduces the tire's grip on the road and its ability to wick away water. As a result, the car may have problems keeping the track, as well as increasing the braking distance. We have to change tires when the air temperature approaches 6-7oC. It is worth contacting a properly trained company that will correctly install new tires on wheels, as well as balance them and fill them with air or gas at the appropriate pressure.

Suspension, brakes and fluids

One of the items on the pre-winter inspection schedule should be check the condition of the suspension, in particular shock absorbers. Most drivers believe that the role of a shock absorber is to dampen shocks and associate its failure only with a lack of comfort. “An improperly functioning, worn shock absorber also affects the increase in stopping distance. At a speed of 50 km / h, at least two meters. Moreover, we can lose control of the car or skid even at a relatively low speed,” warns Jerzy Brzozowski, head of Autotraper. When checking shock absorbers, it is also worth inspecting other suspension components and checking if they are dangerously worn.

From the suspension to the brake system close. In winter, we press the brake pedal more often than in summer, relying on its effectiveness. Therefore, the wear of elements such as brake discs and pads should not be underestimated. It is also important that the service technician measure the water content in the brake fluid and, if it exceeds the limits, be sure to replace it with a new one.

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Fuel filter in winter

Before winter, do not forget to change the coolant

In addition to brake fluid, it is also worth checking the quality and type of coolant and washer fluid. The first is often replaced with plain water in the summer. Water at a negative temperature, turning into ice, increases in volume, which can lead to an explosion of the elements of the cooling system. Winter glass cleaner with antifreeze will certainly help keep them clean, increasing safety and visibility from the cabin.

Housing and seals

“In Polish conditions, when a lot of salt is poured onto roads, it is necessary to carefully protect all corrosion centers, which can increase significantly in one season,” warns Lukasz Kuberski, head of Autotraper's tinsmithing service. Therefore, a qualified worker should be interested in the condition of our paintwork and metal parts that have been exposed to slush. A procedure that every driver can handle on their own is protecting the seals with a special silicone preparation that will prevent them from crushing or freezing.

Important little things

In our latitudes, the arrival of winter also means a shortening of the day. Therefore, it is worth checking the condition of the car’s lighting equipment, replacing burnt out light bulbs and adjusting the headlights correctly so as not to blind other road users. It may also be a good idea to replace the cab ventilation filter. A clogged filter is often one of the causes of excessive fogging of the windows.

Safety first of all

The winter period is a test for both drivers and their cars. Minor malfunctions, underestimated for months, can significantly reduce the efficiency of the car, affecting the comfort and safety of its use. So, let's take a moment to prepare the car for this challenging season for drivers and their vehicles.