{"id":99357,"date":"2024-10-15T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-15T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.reichelt.com\/magazin\/?p=99357"},"modified":"2025-01-07T14:14:48","modified_gmt":"2025-01-07T13:14:48","slug":"winterproofing-your-road-traffic-how-to-prepare-your-car-for-the-cold-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reichelt.com\/magazin\/en\/guide\/winterproofing-your-road-traffic-how-to-prepare-your-car-for-the-cold-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Winterproofing your road traffic: How to prepare your car for the cold season"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brakes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Radiator antifreeze<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cooling water can easily be checked with an antifreeze tester<\/a><\/strong>, 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\u00b0C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Windshield washer fluid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a><\/strong> can be added as an additive to the antifreeze for better cleaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Headlights + lighting<\/h2>\n\n\n<\/span>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a><\/strong> 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<\/a><\/strong> in the Reichelt online shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Car battery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a><\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Small and large aids<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n