Winter is truly a cruel season for drivers. When the weather gets cold, automobile parts all become frozen and cannot function properly, even night driving time get longer. The nasty weather of snow or rain and slippery roads are also huge risks. This is why it’s all the more crucial for you to get your car ready for winter! Let’s start, right now!
As we cover our bodies to prevent the temperature from dropping, we must consider that car batteries are highly vulnerable to cold. Perhaps you can really relate to this if you have the experience of waiting in the cold next to your car that wouldn’t start because the batteries are dead. Lower temperature leads to a lack of battery performance as well as more power consumption of cars than other seasons because of the heater, hot wires and lights, so you need to check them thoroughly in advance.
If the battery monitor inside the bonnet displays black or white, you must recharge or replace the batteries, so be sure to check before the weather freezing colder. Warm up the batteries at least once a week with driving, and park indoors whenever possible.
You should also check the heater that makes the driver warm. Checking the filter of the car heater is absolutely necessary in the winter when you’re likely to overlook proper ventilation due to the cold weather. If foul-smelling air flows in to the dry indoor due to a defective filter, it might be harmful for your health. Not only a foul smell but also various contaminants, dust and mites may flow into your respiratory organs, so always turn on the heater after replacing the filter.
Compared to other seasons, winter has many cloudy days and thus it’s important to ensure a clear view. If the lighting system of your vehicle doesn’t turn on, check the fuse box inside the bonnet and replace the fuse if it’s broken. If you can’t get to a mechanic immediately and don’t even have a spare fuse, you should use your smarts to temporarily use the fuse that doesn’t hinder your driving such as using the audio system or wipers.
It’s also important to keep the windshield clean in the winter since it’s likely to become frozen after it snows or rains. Check whether the wipers maintain a T-shape, and whether the part wiping the windshield is not damaged. If you operate them by force when the windshield is frozen or stuck on the windshield, it may damage the motor. So gently melt the frozen parts with the heater before use.
In addition, keep the windows clean and refill the winter washer to prevent freezing, and use ice scrapers and demisters to conveniently ensure a clear vision more.
Tires are more important than anything in winter driving. If the temperature drops, the air inside the tires shrinks and the air pressure also drops. This broadens the contact area and causes frequent slipping, and it may also affect braking force. Thus, it’s important to constantly check your tires to maintain optimum air pressure.
It’s the same with abrasion. If the tires are too worn out when the snow or rain hits the tires and melts down, they might lack drainage and thus cause hydroplaning. It may also decrease the grip force on slippery roads. Air pressure and abrasion are critical factors that must always be taken care of together.
If you’re in a region that snows a lot or the temperature is too low and the roads become frozen, you must use winter tires. The rubber on winter tires is made with special materials that are different from the ones used on regular tires. These tires do not become stiff due to low temperature but instead maintain softness, thereby increasing braking force and driving performance on icy roads. The patterns are also designed to optimize driving stability.
It’s also important to prepare snow chains or nonskid spray. These are really useful when you face a sudden snowstorm or a road isn’t well-maintained even if you don’t use them daily. When attaching the chains, affix them on the front wheels for front-wheel drive cars, and rear wheels for rear-wheel drive cars.
In the winter cold, there are so many things to care for both people and cars. But if you’re prepared in advance, you can drive safely no matter how cold it is. Getting your car ready for winter is the first step of safe driving. It’s not too late, so check everything now! 
