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In some parts of the world, snow has already fallen. Frost has begun to leave its white veil on the roads. Generally, humidity is more and more present. Here is some good advice for your car during the winter time.
In order to avoid breakdowns or uncontrolled skidding, there are a few tips that can be followed that will help you not worry about being behind the wheel during winter, without necessarily having to ask your garage to do a winter check.
1. Tyres
Several countries require the installation of suitable tires in winter (from October/November/December to March/April). This is particularly the case in France (mountainous and hilly regions), Luxembourg, Quebec, Switzerland (no formal obligation, but strongly recommended), as well as in Germany, Austria, Croatia, Spain (mountain roads), Italy (north of the country), Czech Republic, Sweden, etc. The most effective way to comply with the various rules is to fit tires with an 3PMSF logo that indicates a snowflake in the middle of a mountain.
In countries with polar conditions, studded tires are sometimes necessary. However, these studded tires are often prohibited in temperate regions. Moreover, for countries with more temperate weather (Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom), without a formal obligation, 4-season M+S tires without the 3PMSF can do the trick. Otherwise summer tires must be changed if the tread is worn (ideally from 2mm of wear) and drivers must drive more carefully.
2. The battery
One of the weak points in very cold weather is the battery for starting the car and on-board equipment. Batteries are more likely to break down in winter, because they lose power and capacity (33% loss below 0°C). This is especially true if it is more than 5 years old.
A small, very simple visual test can detect a worn battery that may not survive the winter. Simply remove the cap on the terminals. If they are black or rusty: change the battery. If there are sulfate deposits, you can remove them with a wire brush.
It’s also useful to check the voltage with a multimeter. If it is less than 12.3 V, it’s a very bad sign. Below 12 V: the battery is discharged. In countries and regions where the cold can drop very low (Canada, Scandinavia, high mountains), there are also maintenance chargers to place under the hood and plug into a wall outlet so that the battery doesn’t discharge overnight or during a long parking periods. This will prevent a chaotic cold start or even a breakdown.
3. Electric car battery
An electric car will lose autonomy in winter and charging will be slower. The chemical reaction of the battery is less efficient in very cold weather. It could even discharge while parked. Indeed, the battery must maintain a temperature range to avoid deterioration. From then on, it will use its own energy to warm up, consuming part of its capacity. It’s therefore important not to park an electric car for one or two winter nights without charging it with a battery that has less than 15% capacity. The ideal is to automatically plug it into a smart slow charging station.
In addition, electric cars are often equipped with air conditioning programming or activation via the application to defrost it and preheat the passenger compartment when the car is connected to the charging station. This avoids having to do this while driving, and losing a lot of energy, especially if the air conditioning doesn’t work with a heat pump. It’s better to warm up with heated seats and a heated steering wheel than to turn the heating on full blast.
4. Fluids
Two fluids must be adapted to the cold: the windshield washer fluid and the coolant. They must contain antifreeze. For the coolant, it normally contains ethylene glycol. In principle, it must be changed once a year. Its level must correspond to the reference marks on the reservoir.
For the windshield washer fluid, the summer fluid must be replaced with a frost-resistant solution. It’s usually indicated on the bottle whether it’s a summer mixture or a winter mixture. If the jets are frozen or clogged, a small needle can do the trick to unclog them (and at the same time adjust the direction of the jet).
5. Mechanics
A quick glance at the oil dipstick is a good idea. It’s important to have windshield wipers that aren’t worn out. Likewise, the headlights must all work properly. In winter, not only are the roads sometimes slippery, but it’s also dark or dark for longer. If the air conditioning emits an unpleasant odor or no longer seems to blow warm air, it probably needs to be serviced. Any suspicious noise, any unusual odor, any hesitation of the car when starting or while driving are signs of mechanical fatigue. Head to the garage!
6. Accessories
It’s useful to have these accessories on board your car during the winter: a good scraper (it’s mandatory to remove frost, ice or snow from all glass parts), a de-icing product (aerosol) and a pair of gloves. In case of snow or heavy winter showers forecast: a brush to clear the bodywork.
Other accessories are very useful, especially if the weather conditions are forecast to be “polar” or for a long journey in the snow: a pair of chains (especially with M+S or summer tires), a small shovel, a booster for starting, battery charging cables, a pair of good waterproof shoes or a pair of boots and a “survival” kit with isothermal blankets, a portable external battery for the phone, a product to unlock frozen locks (if necessary), salty biscuits, chocolate, dried fruit and water.
This is also a good opportunity to check that the mandatory accessories (according to local legislation) are still present, in good condition and respect any deadlines: safety triangle(s), safety vest(s), first aid kit, fire extinguisher, light bulb kit and breathalyzer.
