Safely through autumn and winter: what drivers should consider

Created: 10/07/2022, 1:00 p.m

By: Simon Mones

In autumn and winter, the road and weather conditions get worse and worse.

Drivers can defy the challenges with a few tips.

When autumn arrives, the days get shorter and the temperatures gradually start to drop.

However, it is not just the low-lying sun that poses a risk to drivers, but also other weather phenomena that are typical in the cold season.

With a few tips, these can also be mastered easily.

Especially in the early hours of the morning you have to expect to suddenly find yourself in a wall of fog.

If the air is damp after showers and then calms down quickly, a thick layer of fog can form with visibility of less than one kilometer.

This can be treacherous for drivers, emphasizes Sebastian Wache from the weather service “Wetterwelt” in Kiel.

Fog lights can help here – if they are used correctly.

Fog is one of the greatest challenges for drivers in autumn.

© Jochen Tack/Imago

Safely through autumn and winter: what drivers should consider

The nights and cooler air masses from the higher latitudes could then also cause the first ground frosts.

Accordingly, it is advisable to slowly think about changing from summer to winter tires.

The rule of thumb still applies: Winter tires should be fitted from October to Easter, emphasizes Sören Heinze from the Auto Club Europa (ACE).

According to Dekra, you may only drive with winter tires on black ice, snow, slush, ice or frost.

Otherwise there is a risk of a fine.

Catalog of fines: what fines traffic offenders have to reckon with

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If the change is to be made in a workshop, drivers should make an appointment early on.

If you change the tires yourself, you are much more flexible, but you should avoid certain mistakes.

It is also important that the winter tires have a profile of at least four millimeters.

This can be checked with a 1 euro coin, for example.

If the profile is no longer sufficient, new tires are needed.

The wheels with the better profile should always be mounted on the rear axle.

Safely through autumn and winter: check the lights and wipers

But not only the profile of the tires should be checked, but also the lighting system.

Because as soon as the days get shorter, the low beam should be switched on earlier.

Seeing well and being seen just as well is particularly important on the road.

Accordingly, an all-round functioning lighting system is a must, emphasizes Dekra expert Stephan Schlosser.

However, you should not polish the headlights, in case of doubt this can even cost you the TÜV.

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Thorough cleaning of the windshield inside and out is also recommended.

And the wiper water should also be replaced in good time and topped up with windscreen antifreeze.

The ACE recommends a thorough check of the wiper blades in winter.

These could become brittle due to heat and UV radiation.

There are also signs of wear and tear from use.

At the latest when streaks remain after cleaning the car window, which do not improve even after cleaning the wiper blades, it is time for new wiper blades.

Safe through autumn and winter: fines for impaired visibility

In addition to dirt and streaks, a pane fogged up from the inside can also cloud the view.

The reason for this is usually a damp interior.

Many drivers simply wipe the windshield clean, but this often only helps for a short time.

A car drying bag, which absorbs up to 500 grams of moisture and keeps the inside of the car dry, can help.

If you drive despite impaired visibility, you risk a fine.

If you drive with a fogged up window, you risk a fine.

© Shotshop/Imago

This also applies if the car has not been sufficiently cleared of ice in winter.

Accordingly, an ice scraper is just as important as a hand brush and a warm blanket.

If you want to prevent an icy windscreen, you have to use a thermal cover in the evening.

The alternative comes in a can: a de-icing spray is particularly helpful against stubborn layers of ice and frozen windshield wipers.

If you are in a hurry in the morning, you should use a combination of spray and ice scraper.

Safe through autumn and winter: battery suffers from falling temperatures

But some components also have a hard time with the falling temperatures in autumn and winter.

For example, the vehicle battery quickly loses capacity.

If the car is not moved for a few days, they can then quit the service.

In addition to the conventional jump start - by another car or the ADAC - a mobile power bank for cars can also help.

Nevertheless, it is advisable to carry jumper cables in the trunk.