Snow, ice, black ice – with the arrival of winter, not only the landscape and temperatures change, but also the demands on your vehicle. In order to get through the cold months safely and avoid unpleasant surprises, it is advisable to prepare your car thoroughly for winter conditions. From tires to car batteries, there are numerous aspects to consider to ensure not only your own safety, but also the longevity of your vehicle. In this guide, you will find practical tips and recommendations on how to prepare your car for winter. From the right tires to antifreeze and little helpers – with the following tips, you can drive safely and relaxed in the cold season.
Brakes
If you have your tires changed in a workshop, it is best to have the brakes checked as well. Light rust usually comes off over time when driving and braking, but if grooves or similar are found on the normally smooth brake discs, they must be replaced. Sufficient brake fluid is also important. If there is not enough of it, this usually indicates worn-out brake pads.
Radiator antifreeze
The cooling water should definitely be checked before the first frost to see if it contains enough antifreeze. As soon as the temperatures drop, the risk of the cooling water freezing increases if there is not enough antifreeze. The worst consequences of this can be a destroyed cooling system or even engine damage.
The cooling water can easily be checked with an antifreeze tester, or you can ask for a measuring device at a gas station or a workshop. The measurement should show a value of at least -25°C.
Windshield washer fluid
Antifreeze is not only important in the cooling water, but also in the windshield washer fluid. This prevents the pipes, pump or spray nozzles from freezing. Windshield washer fluid can be bought at any gas station as a ready-mix or as a concentrate. When diluting the concentrate, make sure to use the correct mixing ratio. Otherwise, the cleaning performance may suffer. In addition to antifreeze, cleaning tabs can be added as an additive to the antifreeze for better cleaning.
Headlights + lighting
Good visibility is essential for safe driving, especially when it is snowing. Before every journey, it is best to check that your headlights and brake lights are free of snow and ice. It is also advisable to check the headlight settings. If the settings are incorrect, you may end up blinding oncoming traffic or not lighting your road properly. In both cases, this can be dangerous.
Road safety depends to a large extent on good lighting. A defective headlamp significantly increases the risk of an accident and should therefore be replaced immediately to prevent the second headlamp from also failing. For emergencies, it is advisable to keep a spare set of lights in the car at all times. This is already compulsory in several European countries, including Slovenia, Croatia, Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Spain and the Czech Republic. France and Slovakia also recommend carrying one. You can find replacement car bulbs in the Reichelt online shop.
Car battery
One of the most classic and common breakdowns in winter is the car battery. If your car won’t start, it is usually because the battery is weak or old. Cars that are mainly used for short journeys are particularly susceptible to this. You can use a battery tester to test whether your battery needs to be replaced – if it shows a value of 12.6 V or lower, this indicates a weak battery.
Small and large aids
In addition to the preparations just mentioned, there are a number of small and large aids that will help you to be prepared for any challenge in the cold months:
- Snow chains: enable safe driving in particularly snowy regions
- Ice scraper: essential for removing ice from car windows
- Cover film: saves you having to scrape and protects the rubbers of the windshield wipers if you clamp it underneath overnight
- Door de-icer: if the doors are very frozen, a door de-icer is sometimes the only way to get into the car. It is therefore advisable not to keep it in the car
The risk of accidents increases when the roads are slippery or there is heavy snowfall. That’s why it’s advisable to have the following items in your car so you can help yourself or others in an emergency:
- Tow rope
- Jumper cables
- Safety and warning vest
- Warning triangle
- First aid kit
- Sturdy, warm shoes in case you’re wearing office shoes or similar
- If you haven’t already packed gloves, you’ll be grateful to have an emergency pair in your car
These tips as a guide can help you prepare yourself and your car as best as possible for the cold months. The right tires, sufficient antifreeze and regular checks of the lights can make the difference between a relaxed drive and unpleasant surprises on snowy roads. Tools such as jumper cables and tow ropes complete your winter equipment and help in unforeseen situations.
Images: Adobe Stock
