Extreme winter weather can be tough on both people and vehicles. While cars may seem sturdy, they require extra care in the cold months to prevent breakdowns. Here are key maintenance steps to prepare your car for the winter chill.
1. Batteries are Vulnerable in Winter
Even if it is not EVs, internal combustion engine vehicles are equipped with batteries, like smartphones and Bluetooth earphones, and the car battery is especially weak in cold weather. If the battery voltage drops, starting will be difficult, so you should check in advance for rust or corrosion on the terminals in preparation for the cold wave. In particular, if the battery is over 3 years old or feels weak, it is safe to replace it immediately. If the car is not starting well, you can warm up the battery by briefly turning on the headlights before starting.
2. Coolant is Crucial for Engine Protection
In the case of antifreeze in vehicles, it plays an important role. All internal combustion engines are made to operate with only pure water, but in winter, it can freeze, so antifreeze is used to lower the freezing point. The car engine does not freeze because there is antifreeze. Suppose the concentration of antifreeze is too low. In that case, the inside of the engine can freeze, causing significant damage, so it is important to check in winter that the ratio of antifreeze to water is maintained at about 50%. It is also recommended that the antifreeze replacement cycle be checked carefully.
3. Check Engine Oil
Internal combustion engine vehicles are filled with oil to operate smoothly. This oil, a type of lubricant, is commonly called engine oil. When a cold spell comes, engine oil with high viscosity can hinder the flow inside the engine. Therefore, it is recommended to use winter engine oil with relatively low viscosity before a cold spell comes. If the amount of engine oil is insufficient, the overall engine performance can deteriorate, so you should make it a habit to check the engine oil regularly.
4. Tires and Winter Safety
As the temperature drops, the air pressure in the tires also decreases. In hot summer, the air pressure is low, so the air inside expands, which increases the air pressure in the tires. In winter, the air density and volume are high, which causes the tires to contract. Therefore, it is better to fill the air pressure more in advance than usual in winter. In addition, you should also check the wear condition of the tires. Worn tires have weak braking power, which can lead to accidents and can be the cause of accidents, especially on snowy roads.
5. Wipers and Washer Fluid
If the washer fluid is low, you may be in a dangerous situation when snow obscures your vision. Therefore, it is essential to fill the washer fluid appropriately in winter. Use winter washer fluid that does not freeze in low temperatures if possible. It is also recommended that you check the wipers in advance. Snow or ice can damage them. If the rubber of the wiper is hard or cracked, it is recommended to be replaced in advance for safety.
6. Defroster and Heater Check
How hard would it be to drive in the winter without a heater in your car? A heater is essential in the winter because it keeps the inside of the car warm in cold weather. In addition, it is vital to remove the fogging on the windshield caused by temperature differences. If the defrosting vents do not work correctly, the windshield will quickly become covered with fog in the winter. Therefore, checking the heater’s condition and defrosting function before the cold wave is a good idea.
7. Prevent Frozen Doors
Car doors are equipped with rubber seals to reduce shock. However, due to cold waves, the rubber packing of the door can quickly freeze, preventing the door from opening properly. To prevent this, apply silicone lubricant to the rubber seals of the door in advance. If the door is frozen, pulling it forcibly can damage the car’s body, so it is recommended to use warm water or snow removal spray.
8. Snow Chains Are a Good Idea
At least several times a year, roads freeze due to cold waves and heavy snowfall. Even in relatively warm winters, road freezing has inevitably occurred. Having snow chains on your vehicle in advance is a good idea to prepare for this. Snow chains provide immediate grip on snowy roads, making them useful devices for ensuring safety on snowy roads. It is also a good idea to replace your tires with winter tires, which have better braking power on icy roads.
9. Check All Lights
The first step in winter car maintenance is to check whether the lighting devices, such as headlights and fog lights, work. Fog often obstructs the driver’s vision in winter, so the lighting devices should be checked regularly to ensure visibility while driving. Some vehicle models have chronic defects in the lighting devices, so the headlights, taillights, and fog lights should be checked regularly and replaced immediately if any abnormalities are found.
10. Other Useful Winter Maintenance Tips
Due to heavy snowfall, your vehicle may get stuck in the snow. It may be helpful to have a folding shovel, sand to sprinkle on slippery roads to improve traction, or calcium chloride for snow removal in your vehicle. You will often be stuck in the snow for a long or have to wait outside due to breakdowns or accidents. Preparing blankets, gloves, and hot packs in advance for such situations is also recommended.
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