11 useful things to prepare your car for the cold

The calendar already says "October", and no matter how sad the summer is, no matter how short it may seem to us this year, we must prepare for autumn and winter. And that means to prepare our car. Here are 11 best (and easiest) things to do before time finally breaks.

Check the battery

Remember how long it served you - in general, most batteries "live" 4-5 years. Some of the more expensive ones made with TPPL technology can easily cost $10. And if there are leaks or the battery is weaker than the car needs, it can only last a year.
If you think your battery is nearing the end of its life, it's best to replace it before the first frost. And beware - there are many surprisingly good offers on the market, ostensibly with excellent characteristics. Usually a very low price means that the manufacturer has saved on lead plates. The capacity of such a battery is actually much lower than promised, and the current density, on the contrary, is higher than indicated in the book. Such a battery will not last long in cold weather.

Change your driving style

First of all, we need to get the idea of ​​changing seasons in our head. The roads are not the same as they were in summer: it is cold in the morning and frosts are possible, and in many places, fallen leaves further impair traction. Abrupt maneuvers and stops, which were acceptable a few weeks ago, should be postponed until next spring. It is true that the electronic systems of modern cars can get you out of any situation. But they are not omnipotent either.

Change tires

It is difficult to guess the correct timing for replacing summer tires with winter ones. If you change them too early, you run the risk of driving with winter at high temperatures and spoil their qualities. If you procrastinate until the last minute, not only may you be surprised by the snow, but you will almost certainly have to queue up at the tires because most people procrastinate too. It is best to keep a close eye on the long-term forecast. As unreliable as he is, he will always give you advice.

Cover the seals with silicone.

While the weather is still warm, it is very helpful to lubricate the door and trunk seals with silicone grease. Use a regular shoe polish soaked in grease, which is sold in every car service and even at gas stations.
The silicone layer will protect the rubber seals from freezing. Some also lubricate the rubber seals on the windows, but there you need to be careful not to stain the windows when lowering and raising. It also helps to lubricate the tank cap.

Check and replace antifreeze

In warm weather, the amount of fluid in the cooling system may have decreased and must be topped up. But keep two things in mind. Firstly, all types of antifreezes lose their chemical properties over time and it is good to completely replace it every 2-3 years, and not just top up forever. Secondly, there are at least four types of antifreezes on the market today, completely different in chemical composition. If you do not remember what is in the car, do not blindly refill, just replace it completely.

Check the lighting

A typical halogen lamp only lasts about 500 hours of use, and by the end it starts to glow much dimmer. Reinforced Chinese versions last even less.
If you think you're getting close, replace your headlights before the winter season starts. Just remember that the rule of thumb is to always change bulbs as a set, not one at a time.

Fill with winter wiper fluid

One of the most unpleasant sensations is to try to clean the glass in the rain and find that the pipes to the nozzles and the nozzles themselves are frozen.
The best thing to do now is to hedge yourself with winter windshield wiper fluid. Nine out of ten cases, it is composed of isopropyl alcohol in various concentrations, a colorant, and possibly a flavoring agent.

Replace wipers

In autumn and winter, you will need them intensively and it is good to acquire new ones. But you don't have to buy the most expensive ones - in fact, even the more budget-friendly options do the same job. To last longer, do not collect leaves, twigs and other solid debris from the glass - this will damage the tire very quickly. It is good to have a rag before leaving to clean the glass from such debris.

Peel the leaves under the lid

Almost regardless of the model of the car, yellowed leaves gather under the hood - this is where the air intakes for the cabin are located. Clean them well if you want fresh air and don't want bad smells in your car.

Take care of air conditioning

Often, by the end of the summer, car owners feel that the air conditioner is working less, but decide to leave repairs for the spring - after all, they will not need cooling in winter. However, this is a mistake. It is good for the air conditioner itself not to be interrupted for a long time because the compressor seals dry out and can lead to increased refrigerant leakage. In addition, its use has a positive effect on reducing humidity in the cabin.

Put warm clothes in the trunk

This tip is for people who often leave town during the colder months. In the event of a breakdown, it can take a long time in a cold machine. For such cases, it is best to have an old down or blanket in the trunk.