How to prepare the car for the winter

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Categories: Maintenance, Winter

A general check of the battery, tyres or coolant is essential for safe driving at low temperatures.

We recommend that all drivers carry out a general check-up of the car in the event of a temperature drop, in which the most important safety points are checked to ensure that the car is in good condition. According to data from the DGT, the winter season concentrates 31% of those killed in road accidents during the year.

The battery is the component most affected by failures when the temperature falls. This component is responsible for powering the vehicle’s electronic systems and its failure will make it impossible to start the car’s engine. Before the temperatures drop, Autorecambios Europa recommends checking the condition of the battery and its ability to be recharged with the appropriate diagnostic equipment.

In addition, when temperatures fall below 7°C, summer tyres lose grip. For this reason, the ensign recommends the use of winter tyres that improve grip, the directionality of the car and shorten braking distances. They also have the great advantage of being a legal alternative to chains.

During tuning, the condition of the coolant must also be checked. The coolant regulates the engine temperature and is responsible for the proper functioning of the heating system. This liquid, with the passage of time, loses some of its properties, so it is advisable to check it annually and replace it once every two years or every 40,000 kilometres.

Finally, attention should be paid to the wiper blades and washer fluid. The main function of this cleaning system is to dissolve the dirt and increase visibility, which will be essential during days of rain, snow or in the presence of frost.