How to prepare your car for the winter or the most spread problems which driver face in the winter

There is a strong difference between driving in the winter and in the summer. High heat or extreme cold, both can cause maintenance issues. In this article, we will concentrate on winter driving experience. We have compiled winter driving safety tips for our readers and app users. Hope, they will help you to avoid or reduce the negative impact of all adversities, which you might face during your driving in the low temperatures. Experienced drivers know all aspects of winterisation quite well, through experience and mistakes, and although the article will be especially useful for new drivers, we hope everyone will find it useful.

Preparing your car for winter, what to check, what to replace and what to put in your car

Wheels

The simple advice is to start early. Don't wait until the temperature drops below freezing and the road is already iced. Firstly, replace the summer tyres with the winter tires, beforehand, it must be done. There are some peculiarities to be mentioned here. Residents of predominantly warm regions can use all-season tyres. However, for northern areas and mountainous terrain, drivers need to change to winter tyres. The requirements for minimum tread and the time of their operation also vary. Some countries prohibit the use of studded tyres, while others do not. These details are especially important if you are travelling.

When the temperature is low, the summer rubber comes hard, firm and smooth itself, so it slips better. Poor grip, in winter, threatens to skid even at the slightest turns and increase the braking distance on a wet or slippery road. You must swipe tyres before the first snow because it is a matter of road safety.

It is not all tyre related safety tips for winter driving. It is necessary to pay attention to the tire width. Initially, it seems that the wider the tire is, the better the grip would be, but that's not entirely true. A wide tire has a larger contact patch, but also a greater risk of sliding on snow or ice. In winter conditions, narrower tires often perform better. You can find recommendations on the width of tyres for your car in the manual, or search for manufacturer's recommendations on the Internet.

Also check the tyre pressure and inflate if necessary. Low tyre pressure in winter is dangerous because it reduces grip, increases stopping distances and causes uneven tyre wear. This is also a good time to monitor the tyre pressure throughout the season. Tyre pressure naturally decreases at low temperatures. You can have your tyres checked by a specialist or do it yourself. In winter, tyre pressure should generally be 2.2 to 2.5 bar (atmospheres) for most passenger cars, or as specified by the vehicle manufacturer

Liquids

Changing fluids is another basic step in winter car maintenance tips. Check the antifreeze level and use the appropriate type. For modern cars, it is better to use OAT, HOAT or G13 antifreeze. Antifreeze fluid is classified according to its freezing point, type of corrosion protection additive and its compositional composition.  Firstly, follow the manufacturer's recommendations or consult a specialist. In general, check the concentration (not "density") of antifreeze. Make sure the mixture ratio is between 50/50 and 70/30 (antifreeze to water). Use a hydrometer or refractometer to measure it. The specific gravity (density) should not be less than 1.078 g/cm³, which corresponds to a freezing point around -40 °C.

We have already written why it is important to change the engine oil, and we recommend that you read more about this issue. It is recommended to change the oil every 3-5,000 km. This depends on the driving dynamics of the car, operating conditions and model. However, this is the easiest step in how to prepare your car for freezing temperatures. Change the windscreen wiper fluid frequently. Buy a fluid that does not freeze in cold conditions

Other issues

The battery can also suffer (loose power) from low temperatures, especially if you already have problems with it. Although car owners rarely replace the battery, know how it performs in winter. A car inspection will never be superfluous before the change of season. Check your belts, spark plugs, cables and breaks before the start of winter.

Be prepared for everything on a road

Experienced drivers from northern and mountainous regions always have a safety kit in their cars. They know from experience how unpredictable the weather can be. If you are new to driving or are preparing for a long journey, this paragraph will be useful. So, the following list is about how to winterize your vehicle.

❖ First AID Kit

❖ Matches and fire lighter;

❖  Flashlight and batteries

❖  Powerbank and wires for device charging

❖  Protein snacks

❖ At least two thermal bags or chemical heating pads

❖ Ice Scraper

❖ Extra warm clothes or blanked

❖ Jumper cables 

❖ cable car

❖ Car tool kit

❖ Extra antifreeze

Specifics of driving in winter conditions, what to do and what not to do when driving on snow or ice

Is it dangerous to drive in snow? The answer is yes. Obviously, driving is more difficult in winter than in other less favourable weather conditions.  

In winter, it is advisable to warm up the car's engine before starting the journey. However, there is a complete ban or certain restrictions on warming up the engine without direct technical necessity in several countries and certain US states, this ban can be applied both across the country and in large cities. The engine freezes at low temperatures and severe frosts at night. To save time, when you clean the snow off from the roof, start the car, and after you can continue cleaning. But it is advisable that the warm-up time should not exceed 3 minutes.

Clear the car of snow: windscreen, rear window, bonnet, headlights, side mirrors. Nothing should obstruct the view while driving. Shake the snow off the roof as well. When driving, it can fall on the glass and impair visibility.

When driving in snowy conditions, what should you do? Take your time. Allow extra time for travelling. The faster your car goes, the less time you have to react, and the longer the stopping distance on slippery roads. Also increase the driving distance, the distance between you and the car in front should be more than usual. A simple rule for your safety, which shouldn’t be forgotten. When you start moving, start moving in reverse. This advice is relevant for manual transmission cars, and helps prevent wheel spin. Back up 1 meter and then continue to move forward. Another recommendation for manual car owners is to start in second gear on snow-covered roads, as it can reduce wheel spin. If you drive an automatic car, switch to second gear as soon as possible when starting on slippery surfaces.

What is the best way to maximize the traction of your tires, under icy conditions, Impulse braking is an effective technique for driving on slippery winter roads. It also applies when navigating turns. Keep in mind that when turning right, there's a risk of sliding into oncoming traffic. When turning left, you may risk skidding off the road entirely. Manual car owners are wondering about the use of the handbrake. If you engage the handbrake immediately after parking as usual, the brake pads can freeze after a long time in cold conditions. A better approach is to use impulse braking first, then wait a couple of minutes before applying the handbrake. If there's no time to wait, you can leave the car in first gear—but only if it's parked on a flat surface and doesn't have remote start (autorun). Automatic cars are equipped with a special and safe “parking mode,” which protects their owners from this issue.

When driving in icy or snowy conditions, please, keep attention on a road. During freezing temperatures, drivers can encounter black ice. Thin, transparent ice that blends in with the road surface is extremely dangerous. If you are driving on such a road, the main thing is not to panic. Release the gas and brakes and keep the steering wheel steady. If you are already skidding, gently turn the steering wheel in the direction of rotation until you stop or regain traction. The hidden dangerous at any corner is the reason why you should try to keep moving at low speeds in heavy snow.

What to do if you get stuck, how to pull your car out of a snowdrift

If your car is stuck in a snowdrift, here are step-by-step instructions on how to pull it out safely. Make sure the car is not ‘sitting on the bottom’. Clear the snow in front of and behind the wheels. If the exhaust pipe is also mired in snow, clear it. Create better grip on the wheels. For example, place branches, rags, or mats from the car interior under the drive wheels. Start driving carefully but confidently: engage first gear or L/1 on an automatic transmission. You can back up and move forward again. If another car can pull you out, or you can be pushed from behind, use this opportunity. 

Other useful winter driving tips

Some winter driving safety tips will make your trip safety.

• Disabling windscreen wipers or using wipers without the frame will save from the formation of ice on them. Also, you can install winter wipers.
• Freezing doors is a common problem, which is easy to solve. Wipe the sealing on the doors and periodically lubricate the locks with a special liquid.
• Brush for snow cleaning is desirable to store in the boot. When you open the car, the snow from the roof falls into the cabin. Initially, clean off the snow from the roof, then open the door.

Finally, there are numerous rules and nuances in the operation of the car in the winter. What should you do to maintain vehicle control during winter driving? The simple rule is to obey the tips we already mentioned. Ride smoothly, gas and brake slowly, so you will be alright in winter roads. To maintain your car you can download our application inCarDoc