Winter conditions such as road salt, ice, and snow can damage your car and compromise safety. Discover 10 tips on how to best prepare your car for the cold season.
1. Regular Cleaning and Maintenance of the Underbody
Why is this important? Salt and dirt accumulate not only on the paint but also on the underbody, wheel arches, and axles. This leads to long-term rust.
Tip: Use car washes with underbody cleaning. Especially during heavy snowfall or after driving on unpaved roads, the vehicle should be thoroughly cleaned.
Important after washing: Treat all rubber seals with rubber care products and let them dry to prevent freezing.
2. Tires and Tread Depth
Winter tire requirement: In Germany, winter tires are mandatory when road conditions are wintery. The right grip is essential for safety.
Recommended tread depth: Legally, 1.6 mm is required, but for snow and ice, at least 4 mm is ideal.
Check tire pressure: Cold temperatures reduce tire pressure. Regularly refill, preferably following the manufacturer's recommendations.
3. Antifreeze – Not Just for the Windows
Windshield washer fluid: Fill the reservoir with antifreeze that protects down to at least -20°C to prevent freezing.
Coolant antifreeze: Check the coolant as well. It must contain enough antifreeze to protect the engine at low temperatures. A mechanic can quickly check this.
4. Windows and Wiper Blades
Check wiper blades: Old or porous wiper blades cause streaks and poor visibility. Replace them on time.
Anti-fog spray: Foggy windows are dangerous. An anti-fog spray ensures clear visibility and reduces moisture.
Use ice scrapers and covers: Use covers to prevent ice and snow from directly accumulating on the windshield.
5. Battery Care
Why is this important? In winter, the battery is heavily taxed, as the cold reduces its capacity and energy demand (e.g., for heating and lights) increases.
Check charge level: Have the battery voltage checked at a workshop or do it yourself with a battery tester.
Clean contacts: Corroded contacts make starting difficult. To prevent this, lightly grease the terminals.
6. Door Locks and Seals
Keep de-icer handy: Not in the car, but in your jacket pocket or at home.
Maintain rubber seals: Special products keep the seals supple, prevent frost damage, and ensure the doors do not freeze.
7. Lighting and Visibility
Check lights: Short days and poor visibility make functional headlights essential. Regularly check all lamps.
Clean headlights: Road salt and dirt build up quickly. Clean headlights maintain full brightness.
Tip: If your car does not have LED or Xenon headlights, consider switching to bright halogen lamps.
8. Wheel Care and Road Salt Protection
Why is this important? Wheels, especially alloy wheels, are heavily affected by road salt in winter. This can damage the surface and leave unsightly corrosion marks.
Regular cleaning: Regularly rinse wheels with clean water to remove salt and dirt. A wheel cleaner helps dissolve stubborn residues.
Wheel sealant: A special sealant protects the surface from salt and makes cleaning easier. This is especially recommended for high-quality wheels.
Use winter wheels: For winter, steel wheels are often better, as they are more durable and less prone to damage from salt and stone chips.
9. A Well-Equipped Trunk is of Great Importance in Winter
These should be included:
- Tow bar
- Ice scraper and snow brush
- Tow rope
- Jumper cables / Jump start power bank
- Tow rope and gloves
- Flashlight and road salt
10. Regular Inspections and Antifreeze
Check air filter: A clogged air filter can worsen engine performance in cold weather. Change it on time.
Always keep the tank at least half full: With a nearly empty tank, condensation can form, which freezes in winter and clogs fuel lines.
De-ice door handles: Carefully unfreeze door handles – never use force to avoid damage.
Conclusion
With these 10 tips, you're well-equipped for winter! Regular maintenance, preparation, and inspection prevent damage, protect your vehicle, and ensure your safety. Your car will thank you with a longer lifespan – and you'll drive relaxed through the cold season!
Our Recommendations: Tried and Tested Products for Winter Maintenance
Here you'll find a list of products we've either tested ourselves or that have been recommended to us through years of customer experience. These products have proven effective in practice and ensure your vehicle is optimally protected throughout the winter:
SONAX AntiBeschlagSpray : SONAX AntiBeschlagSpray (500 ml) Antibeschlag-Schutz für alle Glasscheiben und Kunststoffscheiben sorgt für eine rundum klare Sicht
Schlossenteiser: LIQUI MOLY Türschlosspflege (Display) | 50 ml | Lithium Fett | Art.-Nr.: 1528
Scheibenreiniger-Superkonzentrat: LIQUI MOLY Scheibenwischwasser Scheibenreiniger-Superkonzentrat
Scheibenreiniger gebrauchsfertig: SONAX AntiFrost+KlarSicht Gebrauchsfertig
Frontscheibenabdeckung:Tevlaphee Frontscheibenabdeckung, Windschutzscheibenabdeckung, Autoscheibenabdeckung
Spezial Felgenreiniger: Alu-Teufel Spezial Felgenreiniger Aktiv-Gel für glänzende Alufelgen dank säurefreier Schmutzentfernung
FelgenSchutzVersiegelung: SONAX XTREME FelgenSchutzVersiegelung (250 ml) bildet einen effektiven Schutz gegen Bremsstaub, Schmutz, Salz
Starthilfekabel: AEG Automotive 97203 Starthilfekabel SK 16 "Alu-Tec", für 12 Volt und 24 Volt, in Aufbewahrungstasche
Starthilfe Powerbank: NOCO Boost Plus GB40 1000A 12V UltraSafe Starthilfe Powerbank, Lithium-Starthilfebox, Kfz-Batterie-Booster und HD-Starthilfekabel für bis zu 6,0-Liter-Benzinmotoren und 3,0-Liter-Dieselmotoren
Abschleppseil: MAIKEHIGH Abschleppseil 5M x 5cm, 10 Tonnen (22,000 Lbs)
LED Taschenlampe: Lepro LED Taschenlampe, LE2050 Extrem Hell, mit Clip, Zoombare Handlampe mit 5 Modi, Wasserdichte Flashlight