In order for the car to be fully prepared for frosts, you will have to work a little. And the point of the programme #1 when preparing the car for winter is to switch to season-appropriate tires.

Item #1 — Winter tires.

Good winter tyres are a guarantee of safety when traveling on a snowy and slippery roadbed. For urban driving on well-maintained, clear asphalt roads, consider non-studded tires. These newer friction rubber models offer comparable performance to the more famous studded tires. Studded tires, on the other hand, are recommended for icy conditions and off-road adventures. "Educational programme on the choice of winter tires" is presented in the framework of the article of the same name.

The car needs winter "shoes" just like its owner.

When you have winter tires for your car, measure the remaining tread depth; it should be at least 4 mm. Otherwise, the tire's grip on the road diminishes, leading to a deterioration in control and unpredictable behavior of the car on slippery road surfaces. Additionally, maintain the correct tire pressure (often specified in the vehicle's technical documentation or indicated on a sticker inside the fuel tank hatch) and rebalance them when switching to different rims.

Popular studded tires

Tip 2 — Checking liquids for compliance with temperature limits.

The temperature limit of your car is affected by both the antifreeze in the engine cooling system and the engine oil, which can thicken in extremely cold temperatures. It's advisable to replace the coolant if it has been diluted with water during the summer. Additionally, if your antifreeze is over 5 years old, it's best to replace it because aging coolant can harm the metal components of the cooling system. The viscosity of motor oils is explained in detail in the article "Selection of auto oils — a brief educational programme on motor oils".

On the eve of the onset of cold weather, change liquids in advance in accordance with temperature limits.

Another important point of the programme is windshield washer fluid. The water that was poured into the washer tank for the warm season must be sprayed before the onset of frost, after which the tank must be filled winter-windshield washer fluid. Concentrates (at -60 °C, -80 °C, etc.) mixed in certain proportions with distilled water are in demand in east european realities. And if you don't want to bother too much, feel free to take ready-made liquids.

Useful advice. After the washer tank is filled with winter washer fluid, spray it on the windscreen, headlights and rear-view glass, so that the liquid spreads through all the tubes and pipes. Defrosting them is a thankless task.
Popular coolant

Tip 3 — Pay attention to the wipers.

In addition to the winter windshield washer fluid, it's essential to pay attention to your wiper blades to ensure clear visibility on the road. As time passes, the rubber blades of the wipers wear out, leaving annoying streaks on the windshield. When the wiper blades no longer perform their intended function, it can be a significant hindrance, especially during long winter evenings and nights with poor visibility. Therefore, it's advisable to replace worn-out wiper blades with new ones before the onset of cold weather and snowfall.

Useful advice. Avoid leaving the wiper blades in the raised position overnight. This winter practice can lead to the springs in the wiper arms stretching, which reduces the pressure applied by the wiper blades.

Tip 4 — Check the state of the brake pads.

Maintaining a balanced braking system is crucial during winter. Uneven brake pad wear can lead to variations in wheel braking, which is a primary cause of skidding. Given the importance of brakes, it's advisable to have a comprehensive assessment of their condition when visiting an auto service. Additionally, make it a point to replace the brake fluid every 3-5 years. Brake fluid tends to absorb moisture from the air, potentially causing corrosion in the brake lines.

Unevenly worn brake pads often cause skidding.

Brake pads wear out more on cars with an automatic transmission, in addition, their service life is reduced by active safety systems (ABS, EBD and others like them).

Tip 5 — Check the battery.

The car's power source often fails unexpectedly during the winter. The battery can weaken due to the cold and the increased load when starting the vehicle. Even something as simple as leaving the cabin light on overnight can leave you "stranded" in the morning. Models of the serviced type can be revived by adding distilled water and recharging them using a charger. This method can also be attempted to restore the capacity of a maintenance-free battery.

The wires for lighting the car will serve as a "lifesaver" when the battery is discharged.

Just in case, in the winter season, there will never be extra wires for lighting up, called "crocodiles". They won't take up much space in the boot, but they will be able to help in a desperate situation, if not for themselves, then for other car owners who were not lucky enough to get an iron horse on a frosty morning.

Popular serviced car batteries

Tip 6 — Maintenance of door seals and locks.

In winter, torn seals due to temperature fluctuations are unfortunately quite common. To prevent this, it's recommended to apply lubrication to the rubber seals around the doors, trunk, and hatch in advance. There are many sprays available for this purpose, such as affordable silicone lubricant. The same treatment should be given to locks and hinges to ensure smooth operation, with locks easily opening in cold weather and hinges free from squeaking.

Tip 7 — Replacing mats with rubber ones.

Slush, mud and melted snow often find their way into the car interior, especially on our shoes during the winter season. To keep the interior looking clean, consider replacing textile and pile mats with rubber mats. They are easier to clean from dirt (you can wash such a car mat from a hose at the car wash) and their raised edges help contain melted water, preventing it from spreading across the floor.

Tip 8 — What to put in the boot?

In addition to the mandatory spare tire, jack and the "crocodiles" in winter, it is desirable to have a strategic stock of the following things in the boot:

  • a scraper brush to clean snow and frost from the car;
  • a car shovel that will come in handy if a car needs to be dug out of a snowdrift;
  • tow rope — in case of getting stuck in the snow;
  • the stock of washer fluid, to avoid being left with poor visibility far from the nearest car shop or gas station.

Tip 9 — Wash your car more often in winter.

Don't delay visiting the car wash until the warm season, as is mistakenly believed among many car owners. The aggressive chemicals spread on our roads can harm the car's paintwork and promote corrosion. It's essential to wash these off regularly. Before heading to the car wash, remember tip 6: apply silicone to door seals and locks.

Washing the car in winter is not only preferably, but also necessary.

If you are lucky enough to live in a private house with a garage and a house territory, a high-pressure washer will serve as a good option for personal car maintenance. It is suggested to choose one in the corresponding catalog.

Popular high-pressure washers

And finally, the main tip 10 — Drive carefully.

Make it a rule to change your driving style to a calmer one in winter. Abrupt acceleration and braking, failure to maintain proper following distances, weaving in and out of traffic, and taking sharp turns are not safe practices, both in summer and especially during the cold winter season. It's wiser to leave 15-20 minutes earlier for your regular route, ensuring a safe and stress-free journey to your destination.

May you encounter neither nails nor rods on the roads!