Winter is setting in on the roads. Drivers are preparing for the cold season by getting their cars ready for winter. Many drivers stop at simply putting on winter tires. To ensure that drivers and their cars get through the winter safely, a few more steps are necessary. The following explains the most important steps to take with your car to ensure a safe drive on slippery roads and in cold temperatures.
A Closer Look at Tire Changes
The driver doesn’t just change the tires. Rather, he first checks whether they’re still suitable for driving on the road. Old tires lose tread depth as they wear down. Accordingly, in October, the driver checks whether they have the required minimum tread depth of at least 1.6 millimeters. Only a minimum tread depth of four millimeters provides sufficient traction in adverse weather conditions. After the tires comes the antifreeze. This ensures that the windshield washer system and headlights function properly. Otherwise, they will freeze up at low temperatures. As soon as the driver adds the antifreeze, he activates the pump. This ensures it flows through all the lines. The engine coolant also requires antifreeze. Otherwise, there is a risk of cracks in the engine block or overheating.
Little Things to Do to Get Your Car Ready
The transition from fall to winter brings greasy windows and dirt. Regular visual inspections help prevent distractions while driving. One weak point of the vehicle is the seals; they freeze solid quickly. Talcum powder, glycerin, and similar lubricants can help. The driver rubs these onto the rubber seals, preventing them from tearing and keeping the doors and openings intact.
The following items and checks are also important:
- Door Lock De-icer,
- Battery,
- Snow chains.
In winter, mornings often begin with the discovery that door locks have frozen shut. Keeping de-icer spray in your pocket can help with this. As a preventive measure, drivers can spray graphite spray on the door locks. Graphite withstands low temperatures. Just as often, vehicles won’t start in freezing weather. As a preventive measure, owners should check the battery charge beforehand. Low battery power is the cause of a weak start. The dark season brings challenging visibility conditions. After half an hour of driving, headlights can become up to 60% dirty. This reduces visibility accordingly. In the dark, this can have serious consequences. Snow chains are suitable for driving at high altitudes and winter vacations. For the right tires and accessories, we recommend checking out the Tirendo website.
