Car preparation for the autumn-winter period

Preparing the car for operation in the autumn-winter season

We're getting the car ready. Autumn is the best time to thoroughly test all vehicle systems. Winter is coming, which means that you need to think not only about seasonal tire changes, but also about preparing your iron friend for adverse weather conditions. We reveal all the subtleties of preparing the car for the cold. With the advent of low temperatures, all components of the car experience additional stress. Driving in such conditions requires increased vigilance and mandatory driver training. To meet the winter in full armor, just follow a few simple steps. The biggest problem with the onset of cold weather is related to malfunctions in the car's electrical system. Particular attention should be paid to the battery and alternator.

Car and battery preparation

A battery that has served you faithfully in previous years or months can be an unpleasant surprise when the weather is cold. Turn the starter motor smoothly or even completely discharge. Without exception, all lead-acid batteries are subject to natural aging and are afraid of low temperatures. That is why we recommend not to wait for winter. And pre-charge the battery using a special device. If possible, check electrolyte level and density. Clean the terminals thoroughly and charge the battery with a low current. Remember that a fully charged battery must produce at least 12,6-12,7 volts. If the battery produces 11,8-12 volts, the battery runs out and requires diagnosis and maintenance or replacement with a new one. The generator is the second most important component of the electrical system.

Problems with the preparation of the machine

In case of damage, you will lose the main source of energy. The battery will not charge and will be quickly damaged. Remember that in the event of a generator failure, even with a fully working battery, your car will be able to drive an average of 50-70 kilometers. Without repair and maintenance, the average generator operates in the range of 100-120 thousand kilometers. Then he suddenly fails at the most inopportune moment. This is due to the natural wear of the bearings, collector brushes and damage to the regulator relay. To avoid problems, we recommend that you pre-diagnose the generator and replace worn components. Spark plugs, ignition coils and high voltage wires. This is due to increased humidity and rainfall in the engine compartment. Check engine cooling system.

Car Preparation Tips

If any of the high voltage wires causes an electrical leak, the operation of the entire ignition system will be affected. Defective spark plugs give a bad spark - you need to crank the starter longer. Cracks in ignition coil housings are a sure sign of a current leak. The load on the engine cooling system is reduced in the cold season. However, this does not mean that her condition should not be taken into account. You probably won't be able to overheat your engine in the fall or winter. But you can freeze easily! Remember that the engine cooling system is the vehicle's main heater. Hot antifreeze circulates in the furnace radiator, dividing the heat. If you had to add coolant to the tank during the warmer months, find out where the antifreeze went.

Inspection and preparation of the car

It is highly likely that a thorough inspection will reveal cracked rubber pipes, leaks in the vehicle, or even a broken head gasket. Poor operation of the oven is possible due to damage to the thermostat. And also because of the accumulation of air, which is formed due to leaks in the pipes of the cooling system. Leaks in the cab from the heater core are a source of odor and cause severe fogging of the windows. Well, if there is an old antifreeze in the tank, which is also sufficiently diluted with water, replace it with a new one in advance. Don't wait for the liquid to freeze. Check the brake system. New pads for discs are far from a reason to consider your car ready for the cold. On a slippery surface, the uniformity of the braking force in the right and left wheels of the car comes to the fore.

Instructions for preparing a car

With a difference in values, the machine begins to pull in one direction. On an unstable surface, this is the right path to the ditch or to the opposite lane. Do not forget about aging brake fluid. The level should be slightly below the maximum tank mark. In addition, the fluid should not be old. It is hygroscopic and eventually diluted with water entering the tank from the surrounding air. This, in turn, leads to corrosion of the brake pipes and inefficient brake operation. Change engine oil and filters. At low ambient temperatures, lubricants tend to thicken. In addition, the viscosity of the oil increases over time due to the ingress of wear products and natural oxidation. If you changed the engine oil 7-10 thousand kilometers ago or it is already too old, this is an occasion for early maintenance.

Car preparation guarantee

Thanks to the new oil, the operation of the starter and battery is simplified, and the engine itself wears out much less. For winter conditions it is recommended to use motor oils of categories 0 W, 5 W or 10 W. The engine air filter and the passenger compartment filter can also be replaced before winter. Check seat belts. Belts and attachments experience additional stress during the cold season, which means that they can break. The reproduction and creation of sounds from the alternator belt is an occasion for regulating the voltage of the alternator belt. Otherwise, you risk leaving the battery uncharged. If you find cracks, sludge, or tears in your belts, head to the workshop immediately to replace them. A broken timing belt will almost certainly leave you without valves and will require lengthy, costly engine repair or a complete replacement.

Preparing the car for the winter

Tightening the tension rollers can lead to the same consequences. We are preparing optics and a system for cleaning the windshield. Late autumn and winter - short daylight hours and adverse weather conditions. Fog, rain and snow significantly impair road visibility and can cause accidents. Pay special attention to your car's lighting technology. Polish the headlights if necessary or replace them with new ones. Against fog, the inner surface of the glazing. Check the operation of the windshield blower system and the electric heating system. If the windshield is cracked, chipped or sandblasted, replace it with a new one if possible. Remember that modern glass sticks to the case. This operation can only be performed at a positive ambient temperature.

Car preparation and replacement of worn car parts

Janitors can also be replaced with new ones. Take care of the salon. The cold season of home motorists is closely associated with tons of reagents. A mixture of snow, dirt and chemicals accumulates at the joints, seams and pockets of the body, forming foci of corrosion. Before cold weather, make it a rule to treat the car body with special compounds. Pay special attention to the metro and its additional protection. Timely washing in the winter also contributes to better preservation of metal parts. Do not forget to process the existing deep chips on the varnish or paint with a degreaser and paint them with a special pencil.

Pretreatment with special products

Corrosion centers treat the rust converter and repaint it. Pay particular attention to rubber door seals, as well as door locks and trunk locks. In severe frost, door seals harden and freeze to metal panels of the body, closing the hole. To prevent this from happening, pre-treat them with special products or silicone grease. It will be useful to pour a small amount of water repellent into car key chains. This will help prevent freezing of all mechanisms and car locks.