Winter is just around the corner and it is time to mount the winter tires on the car.
But before the first snow comes, vehicle owners have to consider a lot more.
So
that
driving
in
winter
does not become too dangerous, the
car
should be
made
winterproof
.
Vehicle owners don't just have to consider
changing tires
.
Checking the
headlights
is also recommended.
Frankfurt - It
is clear to almost everyone
that drivers
should equip
their vehicles with
winter tires
as early as autumn
.
But there are a few things to consider.
In addition, the car's technology is
particularly demanding and vulnerable
during the
cold season
.
This is why vehicle owners should start thinking about
making
their
car winter-proof
so that they won't
experience
any nasty surprises from
frost, ice and snow
in the coming weeks and months
.
Winter tires for cars: tread depth of at least 4 millimeters is recommended
Vehicle owners should have
their winter tires fitted by
November
at the latest
.
This avoids long waiting times in the
workshops
and the
car
is also
prepared
for a surprisingly early
onset of winter
.
The General German Automobile Club (ADAC) recommends a
minimum tread depth
of four millimeters
on its homepage in
order to be on the safe side in all weather conditions.
According to the law, the depth of the profile must not be less than 1.6 millimeters.
A simple tip for the profile self-test: The silver edge of the 2 euro coin is exactly four millimeters wide.
So it should no longer be visible when you put it in the
tire tread
.
+
The tread depth of the winter tires can be quickly checked with a 2 euro piece.
© Jan-Peter Kasper / dpa
Winterize your car: only buy winter tires in pairs
Furthermore,
winter tires
should
not be more than ten years old.
When buying a new one, the ADAC recommends buying in pairs.
Winter tires must therefore never be purchased individually.
If you
drive your car
with
summer tires
in ice and snow
, you risk a
fine
of 60 euros and one point in the register of
fitness to drive in Flensburg
.
If the use of summer tires in the winter season endangers other road users or even
causes
an
accident
, the fines are far higher.
Winterize your car: have the car battery checked in autumn
The
battery
of a
car
is in
winter
very vulnerable.
Older models, in particular, run out
quickly
at
low temperatures
.
Therefore, the North German Broadcasting Corporation (NDR) recommends on its website to have the battery
checked in a workshop
as early as
autumn
.
A jump start cable should be available in the
car
in winter just in case
.
Incidentally, it is advisable to
charge the battery regularly
, especially if you are
driving short distances
, as reported by "Auto Bild".
The
frost protection
for the radiator must not be forgotten before the
winter
begins.
If there is not enough frost protection in the cooling water, it will freeze.
This can
destroy
the entire
cooling system
.
In the worst case, there is even a risk of
engine damage
.
Therefore,
the cooling water in the
car should be
checked
urgently before the
first frost
.
This works with a cooling water spindle.
When measuring, this must show at least
minus 20 degrees
, otherwise it is necessary to
add
additional
frost protection
.
That is what the “Auto Bild” advises on their homepage.
Prepare the car for winter: winter cleaner for a clear view
Winter cleaner should be added to
the
windscreen washer
fluid.
It not only cleans the windows, but also ensures that the water, pump and spray nozzles do not
freeze
.
A tip from the ADAC for the
winter
: After parking the car in the evening
, let the vehicle's
wiping and washing system
run briefly in order
to remove
any
sharp-edged
grit residue
.
Otherwise, they could damage the glass in the morning when they
are pushed over the pane
with the
ice scraper
and pressure.
This has already happened to many drivers: they did not get into their
car
in the morning
because the doors were
frozen
.
This is due to the
seals
and the
lock
.
Therefore, "Focus Online" recommends also both seals as the door lock before the
onset of winter
with special
rubber nurses
grease from the dealer.
As a precaution, car owners should always have a
door lock picker
on hand
during the cold season
.
+
In order for drivers to get through the winter safely, there are a few things they have to consider.
© Tobias Hase / dpa
Cleaning the windows should not be missing
on the
winter checklist
for your own
car
.
Usually a normal
glass cleaner is
sufficient
.
And if you are already working on the windows of the vehicle, the windscreen wipers should also be checked directly.
If these lubricate, they must be replaced quickly so that
a
clear view
can
still be
guaranteed
in
winter
in
snow
and
mud
.
Winterize the vehicle: remove dirt from the headlights
The car's
lighting system is
often used
during the dark season
.
That is why the
headlights
must be
cleaned of dirt in autumn.
Furthermore, a light test in the workshop is helpful in order not
to get
into a
dangerous
situation
on the road
, as “Auto Bild” reveals.
The settings of the headlights are checked.
The road
salt
in winter is
very
hard
on the
paintwork of
the car.
For this reason, vehicle owners should treat their
car
with
polish and wax
before the first cold
snap
.
This protects the paintwork well.
A trip to the
car wash
can also help to prevent paint damage on the
car
.
The ADAC reports.
From October to Easter - the motto applies to #winter tires.
So it's high time to put on the winter tires.
And if you are already there, you can also winterize the entire car.
All tips are in our winter check: https: //t.co/R2XHuzW9XW@RichardGoebelt pic.twitter.com/fhntrDue4u
- TÜV Association (VdTÜV) (@vdtuev_news) October 24, 2020
Well-functioning
brakes are
sometimes vital on
slippery roads and snow
.
Therefore, they should be
checked
before
winter
.
If
grooves or grooves
can be seen, the coverings must be renewed.
The brake fluid level in the
car
should also be
checked.
At
Too
little
brake fluid
, it is recommended to visit a workshop.
This is a sign that the brake pads are worn out or that there may be a leak, as can be read on the “Auto Bild” internet platform.
Electric car drivers shouldn't have to worry about the range of their electric vehicle.
But in wintry and cold conditions, the batteries go to their knees faster.
It's getting winter: prepare accessories for the car
Finally, before it gets really cold and icy, the right
winter accessories
should be ready.
Windscreen de-icers
, gloves and a protective film for the windscreen are useful gadgets
to have
less trouble with the
car
at
low temperatures
.
It also makes sense to have a small broom handy so that the
snow
can be quickly removed from the vehicle.
Care should be taken when using ice scrapers.
These are very popular and are found in many glove compartments, but ice scrapers with
metal edges
in
particular
can damage the windows.
(Tobias Ketter)
List of rubric lists: © Tobias Hase / dpa