Guide: How to make your car fit for winter
EVERY YEAR AGAIN Whether battery, tires, lights or snow chains. It's time to get your car ready for winter. The Auto Gewerbe Verband Schweiz has put together some important tips for motorists. Motorists should check their vehicle's battery and have it replaced if necessary, add antifreeze to the windshield wiper system, check the windshield wiper blades, grease the door seals and [...]
Motorists should have their vehicle's battery checked and replaced if necessary, add antifreeze to the windshield wiper system, check the windshield wiper blades, grease the door seals and clean the windows inside and out.
All weather floor mats against moisture
Another tip against fogged windows: All-weather rubber floor mats can simply be shaken out or wiped dry. In this way, they help to remove moisture from the car - unlike textile mats, which absorb water, dry only slowly and can thus cause unpleasant odors.
Test all settings of the headlights
Markus Peter, responsible for Technology & Environment at the AGVS: "Particularly in the dark season, it is important that the lights function properly and are set correctly. This also includes regularly cleaning the cover lens and - if necessary - clearing it of snow."
The best way to check whether the lighting system is working is to drive your vehicle in front of a large glass front and test the light settings individually. The glare-free adjustment of the headlights belongs in the hands of professionals.
Testing of paint and underbody protection
For all this work is recommended winter check offered by many garages.
Markus Peter: "In the process, the garages also check the paint and underbody protection for damage so that the salt water doesn't find any points of attack."
The reason: salt water is aggressive and accelerates corrosion - especially in combination with heat. In winter, it is generally advisable to clean the vehicle and its underbody more frequently to remove salt.
Trying out the mounting of the snow chains
In addition, various items belong in the car during the cold season. These include an ice scraper, snow broom, blanket, gloves, protective film for the windshield, sponge or anti-fog cloth for the windshield and snow chains in the appropriate size.
Markus Peter: "The installation of snow chains should be tried out once at home in the dry, so that the handling of them is familiar. That's easier than holding them in your clammy fingers for the first time outside in the cold in an emergency."
The parking heater also protects the engine
A parking heater not only ensures a preheated car without icy windows, it also protects the car: because the engine is already at operating temperature when it leaves. In contrast to a cold start, wear and consumption are lower.
Markus Peter: "By the way, this also applies to parking heaters, which can be retrofitted."
