Do you want to take advantage of the season to indulge in your passion? This could be a good idea. As long as you arrive safe and sound at your destination. Snow, black ice, and fog are all unfortunate situations that can disrupt your trip if you don’t take the time to properly prepare your car. Here is a reminder of the essentials to put into practice right away!
Things to do on your car to get off to a good start in winter
Nearly half of fatal accidents that occur in winter are caused by darkness. This is the first point that must be addressed to prepare your car for the cold season. You must start by cleaning the windows. A clean window retains little fog. Windshield maintenance is therefore essential. However, the operation does not only concern the external face. The same work must be done on the inside.
In addition to the windshield, pay close attention to the rearview mirrors and headlights. To clean them, be sure to use only water. The components of their manufacture do not support certain liquids, particularly alcohol. Instead of putting them back in good working order, this scratches them and harms their efficiency. Other actions to take: dust the windshield wiper blades and check that they work perfectly. Also, remember to check the level of the windshield washer fluid.
And for your protection while driving, you should get sunglasses. Choose those that are equipped with anti-reflective lenses, so you can protect yourself from reflections on wet or snowy asphalt. But the maintenance before the winter trip does not stop there, you should continue your examination at the level of some important parts.
Components to consider when preparing your car for travel
First come the tires. In cold weather, the pressure drops more quickly. You must constantly ensure that it is at an optimal level. In addition, the hardening rubber no longer adheres properly to the ground, and aquaplaning can occur. The solution to avoid such an accident is to equip your car with winter tires, which are much more suitable for the season.
Another component that suffers from the drop in temperature is the battery. As is often forgotten during the general overhaul, it stops working as soon as the first snowflakes fall. Check its condition, recharge it if it can survive the season or even change it to avoid any problems.
Many other parts need to be examined. These include:
- From the brake system
- Shock absorbers
- And air conditioning elements.
If some equipment is worn out, consider replacing it by purchasing new parts.
Some practical tips for the road
You have taken all these precautions, but you are not yet at the end of your troubles. It happens that in winter many people find themselves stuck inside their car without being able to get out for 24 hours. To be prepared for any eventuality, make sure to respect the safety measures for driving during the winter. The fluorescent vest is a requirement, you must have one in the passenger compartment of your car.
You should also have a mobile phone charger and de-icing spray. To signal your presence if necessary, bring a flashlight, ideally with rechargeable batteries. Don’t forget to keep an ice scraper with you. Finally, don’t set off with less than 15 liters of gasoline. If you have to idle the engine, it will consume a lot of fuel.
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