With the onset of noticeable cold weather, you may notice that your car has started to work differently than usual. It can jerk after stopping at a traffic light, the engine is idly purring, and the brakes are not very obedient on a thin ice surface. We do not expect more severe consequences and severe frosts, but begin immediately to prepare the car for operation in winter. How to protect yourself and your car in winter? What needs to be carefully checked and where to start? Let’s look at it in detail.

  1. To prevent ice roads from becoming an accident, either check the tire pressure, or buy (if not) winter tires. An insufficiently inflated tire covers the tread, and there will be no tight grip on the road. If there is no clutch, there is a skid. Gas stations can provide everything you need, even pump up the tires, perhaps for a small fee. We look at the tire pressure of your car in the book on the operation of this brand. Put a couple packs of salt in the trunk, which will help you if you get stuck on ice. When skidding, do not press the brake, just stop pressing the gas pedal and turn the steering wheel in the direction opposite to the skid. And for very harsh weather conditions, buy winter tires.
  2. Always check the antifreeze level. He will be able to protect the car from freezing in winter and overheating in summer. The optimal ratio of water and antifreeze in the radiator is 1 to 1. Even in severe frosts, antifreeze will prevent freezing of all available vehicle fluids. Gas stations provide ready-made mixtures of antifreeze and water, which will save you time calculating the ratio. If there is not enough antifreeze, the motor may overheat, and the coolant will freeze, and this will lead to additional costs for replacing gaskets.
  3. We replace the windshield washer and the car door brush. This will help you keep the road visible even in heavy rain or sleet. The rubber bands of the wipers tend to wear out, they will have to be changed 1-2 times a year, and the windshield washer will help get rid of interference on the windshield.
  4. Try not to forget to fill a full tank of fuel. When temperatures change, condensate may accumulate in the tank, which will lead to moisture ingress. Since water is heavier than gasoline, if it gets into it, it can sink to the bottom in the fuel line and freeze. Repairing such a breakdown is expensive, so a full tank of gasoline in winter will help save you time and money.
  5. The battery life is about 5 years. If it’s time to change it, then do it before the onset of cold weather. In winter, it is harder to work with all the details of the car, and the battery gets too much load. If the service life has not expired, then check for wear and corrosion of the terminals. If you notice white spots (battery acid), clean them from the surface with a paste of water and soda plus a toothbrush. Check the distilled water level and top it up if necessary.
  6. Check the operation of the heater and stove. In winter, the windows often fog up. To bring them into working condition, it is necessary to direct a stream of warm air onto the glass. And in order not to freeze yourself, make sure that the stove is also in good condition.
  7. If you have an all-wheel drive car, check its performance. This will improve grip on slippery roads.
  8. Adjust the nozzles and belts so that exposure to low temperature does not lead to their weakening. Otherwise, you will go home in a tow truck.
  9. Pour the oil with a low density, since in winter the oil tends to thicken. Make a replacement about once every 3-4 months.

These simple tips will help you and your car get through the cold winter days perfectly. Always keep in the trunk an emergency kit with first aid tools for your car, a spare tire, a supply of engine oil, antifreeze and a windshield washer, and for yourself an additional warming blanket, well, just in case!

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