8 tips on how best to take care of your car in winter

Here, we are going to discuss a few winter car care tips that can save you a lot of hassle, giving you a comfortable drive even when the cold is unbearable.

Winter is at its peak right now, and as the temperature dipped in most parts of the country, you need to take good care of your car in order to avoid any unexpected gremlin to pop up in the car.

If you want to keep your car free of any kind of trouble during the wintry season, you just need to pay a little attention.

Various parts of a car could get affected by the extreme cold weather conditions.

Here, we are going to discuss a few winter car care tips that can save you a lot of hassle, giving you a comfortable drive even when the cold is unbearable.

Check the battery condition

You should get your battery checked properly and fill it up with distilled water as needed.

In case it is already time to replace the battery, you should get it done, as during winter, your battery goes through a challenging phase when the cold weather demands more current from the battery than it does during any other season.

Also, you can keep a couple of jumper cables handy, in case your battery runs down suddenly.

Engine oil and coolant

Always check the engine oil before the onset of winter.

If you feel the need to change engine oil anytime soon, this is the best time for doing that.

Also, check the radiator coolant and fill it up to the recommended point.

Alongside cooling the engine, the coolant also helps in keeping the radiator water from freezing when the temperature drops to 0 degree celsius or less.

Also, in most of the cars sold in India, the coolant works as a cabin warmer too.

Windshield wipers and washer fluid

Windshield wiper and the washer fluid play an important role in the cold mornings, therefore you should always top the tank up to the brim.

Also, check if there is any damage to the wiper blades.

If there is any crack, replace it with a new one before your car is exposed to the extremely cold weather conditions.

Check the tyres

Tyres are one of the most important parts of your car as it is the only point of connection between the vehicle and the road surface.

Check the tread depth; if the tyres are worn out, replace them immediately.

Also, check the tyre pressure on a regular basis to make sure you do not have an encounter with a flat tyre on a cold winter morning.

Remember that tyre pressure can drop with the outside temperature and this could cause a lot of problems if not checked regularly.

Avoid jammed doors

In extremely cold weather, especially, in hilly areas where snowfall is regular, car doors are more likely to get jammed due to the formation of ice between the rubber seals and the door.

To avoid this phenomenon, make sure you keep it well lubricated as this will prevent ice from building up on it.

Check defroster and climate control

As the winter starts, don’t forget to check the defroster and the climate control system of the car.

Both of them play an important role in cold weather, while your car’s climate control system helps you keep warm when the outside temperature is biting cold, the defroster helps your car prevent the formation of ice on the windows.

Check the brakes

Brakes are one of the most important systems that ensure your safety while driving.

During cold weather, the braking distance of your car could increase due to wet and slippery road conditions, raising an alarm for your safety.

So, make sure that the brakes of your car are working perfectly.

Get your car thoroughly checked

Last, but not the least, take your car for an overall servicing before the weather gets really cold.

Photograph: PTI Photo

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