Winter is a difficult time for drivers and their cars. Proper preparation of the car for the season of the year will avoid many problems and save time. Performing a few simple steps before the first snowfall and freezing temperatures will make driving safer. Here is a complete list of things you should do to prepare your car for winter.
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Battery
One of the most common sources of trouble during winter is the battery. A defective battery can cause nerves, wasted time and delayed trips. A weak battery may simply prevent us from starting the car. We should keep this in mind, especially if we have a diesel engine. This engine requires higher starting power and generates more resistance.
In today’s batteries it is no longer possible to top up the electrolyte yourself. If the lack of electrolyte is noticed, the battery should be replaced with a new one.
We can check the condition of the battery with a special meter. The test is performed both when the car is turned off and on. When the battery parameters are not maintained, the battery must be replaced. There are many car guides available on how to find out which battery fits your car.
Tires
Tires are one of those things that directly affect our safety. Tire condition is very important and damaged tires can lead to an accident. There is nothing more dangerous than exploding a tire at high speed or skidding. Changing tires from summer to winter is even a duty. In addition to replacing, it is worth paying attention to the condition of the tires. They should have a tread of more than 4mm. Additionally, it is worth checking the year of tire production. If the tires are more than 5 years old, they must be replaced. After this time, they lose their properties and parameters.
Lighting
We travel in the dark very often in winter. It is important that our car is clearly visible and the road is more illuminated. This will translate directly into our safety. Check that all bulbs in your car are in working order, and if damaged, replace them with working ones.
It is worth taking a spare set of bulbs with you. In the event of a failure, we can repair them quickly and efficiently, without putting ourselves at risk. Interestingly, in some countries, a spare set of light bulbs is required by law.
Necessary Accessories
In winter, it is worth buying additional accessories for our vehicle. They will certainly make our lives easier.
A glass scraper is a must during snowfall and freezing temperatures. When using it, it is worth wearing gloves to avoid frostbite on your hands. You can use a windscreen de-icer spray. In case of problems with starting the car, jumper cables may be useful.
With their help and a second, functional car, we can start our broken car. In the event of heavy snowfall, it is worth getting snow chains. They may prove necessary, especially if the car is not equipped with AWD. It will also be a good idea to put a small shovel in the trunk, which will be helpful when we get stuck in the snow.
It is worth preparing for winter properly. It is also worth getting acquainted with a few tips on how to drive in winter. This will have a positive impact on our safety.
If you are interested in even more lifestyle-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels, then we have a lot to choose from.
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