Winter car care: top 10 most important tips for drivers

In winter, drivers should be especially careful. Bad weather in the form of snow, ice, or fog significantly impedes road traffic.

Therefore, it is worth taking car care measures in advance to help prepare for the cold weather. The details are reported by Lifehack.

What should you check first?

1. Brakes

The average stopping distance of a car traveling at 60 km/h is 20 meters. This figure doubles when the road surface is wet, and can be up to 10 times higher in snow and ice.

Drivers should check their brakes and make sure they are in good working order.

2. Battery

Long-term use of heaters, windshield wipers, and lights puts a significant strain on the battery. Therefore, check that the battery contacts are secure and free of corrosion.

Low temperatures affect the chemical process inside the battery that generates and stores electricity, effectively slowing it down and reducing its ability to hold a charge. Older, weaker batteries tend to already have reduced performance, and low temperatures often significantly reduce it even further.

So, the main advice is that if the battery is more than five years old, replace it.

3. Radiator

It is worth checking the mixture of water and antifreeze, it should have a ratio of 50:50.

Radiator fluid acts as a coolant in summer and as an antifreeze in winter.

4. Light and visibility

In unfavorable weather conditions, the issue of headlights becomes important. The main tips are to clean the headlights and replace those that are out of order. Dark headlights can be brightened with toothpaste.

In addition, experts advise checking the wiper blades. If they do not clean the windshield in the rain, leaving large spots, they will not be effective in dealing with snow.

5. Tires

The minimum remaining tread depth of a summer tire should be at least 1.6 mm. In European countries, the minimum tread depth for winter tires is at least 3 mm to provide better control in wet conditions and on ice. In Ukraine, this indicator is not currently regulated by law.

The need for regular tire checks is explained by the fact that temperature changes can lead to tire decompression.

6. Wet snow adhesion

Before driving, the driver must clear the car of snow or ice. This is a basic safety precaution: a pile of snow on your roof can easily slide off and block your view, causing an accident. You should also clear the license plate of snow.

7. Exhaust pipe

An exhaust pipe blocked by snow makes it difficult to start the car and can cause toxic fumes to leak into the cabin.

8. Vehicle locks and doors

To defrost a lock, you can use a lighter to heat the key for 15 seconds before inserting it into the lock.

Warm (not hot) water will help open the frozen door.

9. Defrosting the windows

When you turn on the defrost option, set the highest heat at a low speed. When the ice starts to melt, use an ice scraper.

Remember: never use hot water to melt ice on the windows. This can cause the glass to crack.

10. Window fogging

When windows fog up, you need to increase the temperature of the glass and reduce the water content in the air.

The easiest way to do this is as follows:

• Open the window
• select the spray/mist function
• set it to high heat
• turn on the air conditioner (the air conditioner also serves as a dehumidifier).

Useful winter tips

To prevent the doors from freezing, experts advise applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the rubber seals.

Wipers should be raised above the glass so that they do not freeze and stick to the window.

To prevent window fogging, you can fill a sock with clean cat litter. It will help absorb excess moisture in the air.

If possible, park the car in the evening in a place where the sun will rise in the morning. This will create conditions for natural defrosting.

Winter emergency kit

A winter emergency kit should contain the following essentials: an ice scraper, antifreeze, thermal blankets (sleeping bags are also suitable), a snow shovel, a flashlight (and extra batteries), jump ropes and a tow rope, bottled water and non-perishable snacks, a thermos of hot water, a high-visibility jacket, a phone (and a car charger), a reflective safety triangle, an extra set of clothes, and a first aid kit.

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