6 tips to protect your vehicle and prepare yourself adequately for the winter
Snow, frost, ice, low temperatures, fog, reduced visibility: all circumstances that put your vehicle in danger, on the road as in parking. Properly protect your car with our 6 tips: you will spend a calmer winter!
1. Winter tires
It is almost superfluous to recommend winter tires, which are indispensable, as they increase grip and therefore offer more safety is often difficult winter conditions (wet and/or slippery roads, ice, snow, etc.).
Before changing tires, it is very important to check their wear and tread. An adequate depth, for the tread of winter tires, is more than 4 mm.
What is the right time to change tires? According to experts, as soon as temperatures drop below 7°C.
2. The battery
Think about checking the battery status of your vehicle. The normal voltage is 12.6 volts. Between 12 and 12.3 V, you need to think about recharging or quickly changing the battery. These measurements can be taken with the so-called multimeter or tester.
In winter, the battery is put to the test by the cold, and it is also particularly stressed by the defrosting, heating or lighting of the headlights. In addition to monitoring it frequently, it is also advisable to protect it to the maximum, avoiding as much as possible exposing it to extreme cold.
3. Rubber gaskets for the doors
With cold, the rubber gaskets crack and tend to retreat. In addition to damage, they lose effectiveness in terms of insulation and are more exposed to the risk of freezing, which can make it more difficult to open the car door.
Our advice: to prepare them in the cold, treat them with silicone spray or glycerin when the temperatures begin to fall.
4. Vehicle equipment
Take care of your car and interior equipment:
Windshields and windows: protect them from snow and ice by covering them when the vehicle is parked
Windscreen wipers: keep them off the windscreen and cover them to prevent them from freezing
Windscreen and coolant liquids: make sure you always have enough, and above all to have a product that can withstand temperatures below zero
Lights: check that all the lights are in operation, sufficiently intense and not obstructed by snow or other residues
Bodywork: the anti-freeze salt affects the paint, so remember to wash your vehicle frequently to avoid corrosion
5. External equipment
Prepare the right equipment to be ready to face all the situations winter can present. Gloves, scraper, de-icing spray, safety kit (triangle, reflective safety vest, etc.), blankets, snow chains or spare wheel: all essential elements, which in some cases can even save your life.
6. The guide
Adapt the guide to the climatic conditions, often complex and unpredictable in the winter period. Drive responsibly and double the safety distance in case of snow or rain (especially in case of freezing rain). Avoid sharp braking; to maintain good road-holding, always use progressive braking.
Despite all the precautions that can be taken, you are never completely safe from unpleasant surprises. Properly protect your car with the right insurance coverage and discover the best deal by comparing car insurance.
