How to take care of your car before winter?
Winter is the time when we should take special care of our car. November is the last call for this kind of training. To protect the car from harmful weather conditions, it is necessary, among other things, to change the coolants, replace the tires with winter ones and fix the chassis. It is also necessary to take care of the fuel filter, especially in diesel engines. What else should you pay attention to in order to properly prepare your car for low temperatures?
Remember the engine
First of all, you should take care of the correct preparation of the engine. This should not be a problem, especially since it does not take much time and does not require large financial costs. First inspect all components of the fuel supply system. It is especially important to check the heaters and control valves that regulate the temperature of the fuel in the system. “You should pay attention to the degree of filter wear. If we are not sure about the level of its work, a preventive replacement with a new one is recommended. It is important to check the condition of the filter and water separator frequently. Thanks to this, we will remove unnecessary liquid from the fuel, which can cause problems with starting the engine or its uneven operation,” says Andrzej Majka, designer at the PZL Sędziszów plant. “To protect the engine from low temperatures, you should also use high-quality diesel fuel (so-called winter oil). Oils made from warm crude oil, for example, can produce fluff and block the fuel supply to the engine,” adds Andrzej Majka.
It is also very important for diesel car owners to check the condition of the battery. In winter, it requires a large dose of energy to start, so you need to check if the glow plugs that heat the gasoline before starting are working. In newer car models, glow plug wear is signaled by the control diode lighting up. In the case of older vehicles, it is worth having an inspection at a car workshop. In turn, owners of cars with gasoline engines should carefully treat both spark plugs and other elements of the ignition system.
Effective brakes are essential
It is also important to check the brake system. In addition, you can check the condition of the brake fluids, linings and brake pads. You should also make sure that the handbrake and brake cables are in good condition. In addition, the fuel lines should be checked from time to time, as they can be corroded by salts and chemicals. This is especially important in winter when driving on snowy and icy roads. Then an effective braking system can save our lives.
Before the onset of frosty days, it is also worth checking the freezing temperature of the coolant. If it is incorrect, replace the fluid with a new one or add a concentrate, thereby lowering the freezing point. The optimum coolant temperature should be minus 37 degrees Celsius.
Another element that should not be forgotten is the replacement of summer tires with winter ones. This procedure is best done at an air temperature of about 6-7 degrees Celsius. You should also check your tire pressure from time to time, preferably every month throughout the winter. The frequency of pressure checks depends on how much and how often you drive, but experts recommend a routine check at least once a month.
You won't go without light
You should also pay attention to the headlights (front and rear) and their reflectors. If we notice that they are rusted or damaged, they must be replaced with new ones. The same goes for faulty light bulbs. During the inspection, you should also inspect the chassis and paintwork, make sure that there are no corrosion spots on them. Although most cars today are properly protected with a rustproof coating, damage to the bodywork can occur, for example, from being struck by a stone. In this case, the damaged area must be preserved immediately to prevent further corrosion of the vehicle.
Preventive maintenance of your car before winter is a small effort that will allow us to avoid costly repairs. It is worth spending a few minutes on it to enjoy a comfortable ride all winter long.
