Getting the car and accessories ready for winter

You should equip your car for the winter well in advance. There are a few other important points in addition to changing winter tyres. We compiled a to-do list that will have you travelling safely and hassle-free even in freezing temperatures and surrounded by snow.

Washing and waxing

A thorough wash helps keep the car’s paintwork in good condition. You should also wax the car before winter because that will protect the car from the de-icing salt, sand, rocks and dirt of the slush season. A waxed surface will also remain clean for longer. Washing the car and cleaning the interior regularly also increases driving comfort and helps to maintain the value of the car.

Get ready for freezing mornings

Make sure your car has a snow brush and an ice scraper and that they are clean and in good condition. Tools that are dirty and in poor condition will do you more harm than good as they can damage the paintwork of your car. A telescopic snow shovel is handy for clearing away snow from around the car and it is small enough to be stored inside the car. A snow shifter is a handy tool for removing snow off your car.

Windscreen washing fluid and coolant

Make sure that your windscreen washing fluid can withstand freezing temperatures and that your car is equipped with antifreeze coolant. You can also spread silicone on the weather strips to prevent doors from freezing shut.

You should clean windows also from the inside because that will reduce hoarfrost on cold days. You should consider changing your windscreen wiper blades if they leave stripes or a film on the windscreen.

Check the lights

For the sake of seeing and being seen, please remember to check all lights before you set out. Remember to clean the lights of snow and dirt.

Preheating the engine

Preheating the engine is beneficial from the perspective of fuel efficiency at any temperatures below +5 °C. Half an hour of preheating is sufficient down to temperatures a few degrees below freezing. You should use a longer preheating period when temperatures dip more than 10 degrees below zero.