Just like you prep for winter with a jumper, sturdy shoes, thicker trousers, and a lined winter coat, your car needs to be ready for the cold too. Snow, frost, and icy roads can present all manner of challenges for your vehicle. But don't worry, with our tips in mind, both you and your car will sail smoothly through the winter months!
Just like you prep for winter with a jumper, sturdy shoes, thicker trousers, and a lined winter coat, your car needs to be ready for the cold too. Snow, frost, and icy roads can present all manner of challenges for your vehicle. But don’t worry, with our tips in mind, both you and your car will sail smoothly through the winter months!
The basics for getting your car winter-ready
Don’t wait too long to prepare for winter’s bite. Snow and ice often hit without warning, so it’s smart to get ready by October. Winter tyres are a must – they’ll give you the grip you need on slippery roads. Add antifreeze to your windscreen washer and coolant early on. How’s your car’s electrical system? Is the battery charged and your lights ready for those dark winter days?
Switch to winter tyres and make your car winter-ready
If you’re not using all-weather tyres, swapping from summer to winter tyres is essential. Snow and frost completely change road conditions, and only winter tyres can keep you safe. Keep an eye on the tread: 1.6 mm is the legal minimum, but for top-notch grip, go for at least 4 mm. Winter tyres don’t just improve driving on ice; they can significantly shorten your braking distance too.
With antifreeze in the windscreen washer, you’ll have a clear view in winter
In winter, slushy snow and road salt mean your windscreen gets dirty fast. Just using the wipers won’t cut it anymore. With antifreeze, you’ll keep the water in your windscreen washer from freezing and ensure a clear view. For more maintenance tasks you can do yourself, check out our article on easy DIY car maintenance.
Use antifreeze to winter-proof your car’s coolant
If your car sits outside in freezing conditions, your coolant could turn to ice. Use antifreeze to keep your cooling system liquid down to minus 25 °C, ensuring your engine stays functional. Check the coolant level regularly to make sure it doesn’t drop below the minimum mark.
Test your car battery and charge it for winter
Batteries drain faster in the cold, so check the charge level and top it up with the right car tools if needed before winter sets in. If your battery runs down too quickly, consider replacing it. A weak or dead battery can leave your car unable to start, and this is the number one cause of breakdowns in winter,
Lights on: check your headlights!
If the battery’s in good shape, it’s time to check the headlights. In winter’s darkness, you need strong headlights, but don’t forget the rear ones, which help others see you. Leave the detailed check to the pros in the garage – they’ll ensure everything’s properly adjusted. Regularly clean the headlights yourself to keep them shining bright. Just a short drive through winter slush can dim your lights significantly.
Protect your car from frost when winter-proofing it
Can’t get into your car because the door’s frozen shut? Moisture often collects in the door seals and freezes solid in sub-zero temps. Yanking the door can damage the seals. A bit of prep can avoid this hassle: clean the rubber seals, then coat them with glycerine, deer tallow, or a grease stick. This keeps them flexible, even in the coldest weather.
Check your car’s underside and watch out for paint damage
Road salt is great for making roads safer in winter, but it’s tough on your car’s underside. Even minor paint damage can lead to rust when exposed to salt. Learn how to polish aluminium rims professionally!
Your car’s winter-ready – but what should you do when you’re driving in snow and frost?
It’s minus 20 °C. Your door opens smoothly, the battery powers the engine into action, and the windscreen washer clears away the grime. You’re driving confidently on winter tyres, even on unploughed roads. But have you packed everything you might need? Stash a few handy tools in the boot before heading out on a longer trip – you’ll be glad you did.
Blanket and shovel – essential winter breakdown tools
In winter, some situations are simply unavoidable on icy roads. Even with top winter tyres, a slippery surface can make your car behave unpredictably. If you slide off the road, a shovel might be your ticket out of a snowdrift. And if you need to wait for roadside assistance, you’ll appreciate having a warm blanket.
Keep a jump lead in the boot
Even if you’re well-prepared, winter’s cold can still drain your car battery. Short trips in city traffic or slow electrical drains from faulty wiring can sap your battery, besides the chill. With a jump lead in your boot, you can ask for a boost and get going again. Some battery chargers even include a jump-start function to give your car that much-needed kick.
With ice scraper, hand brush, and cover sheet, you’ll stay clear-headed and get your car winter-ready fast
Snow, frost, and freezing rain regularly cover your car in winter. An ice scraper is a quick fix to clear windows of snow and ice. If the snow’s loose, a hand brush might do the trick. Use windscreen cover sheets to keep snow and ice off the front. It’ll save you from a heavy ice-scraping session. For full protection, consider opting for a car cover that fits over your entire vehicle.
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Snow Chains – 4WD (4×4) – 16 mm – EN 16662-1 – for tire sizes: 10×15 / 255/75 r15 / 31×10.50 r15 and more
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Snow Chains – 4WD (4×4) – 16 mm – EN 16662-1 – for tire sizes: 750×16 / 8.5 r17.5 / 225/75 r17.5 and more
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Snow Chains – 4WD (4×4) – 16 mm – EN 16662-1 – for tire sizes: 9×15 / 245/65 r17 / 255/50 r19 and others
If winter tyres aren’t enough, try snow chains
In some areas, especially in higher mountain regions, snow chains are a sensible addition to your winter tyres. When buying car accessories, make sure the chains are easy to fit and road-legal. Different European countries have different regulations – Austria, for instance, has its own rules. And of course, the chains must match your tyre size. You’ll find the size printed on the tyre’s sidewall.
Winter is coming – winter-proof your car!
Don’t forget to make your car winter-ready well ahead of time. Winter tyres, antifreeze, and a battery check are best attended to in October. Pay attention to the door seals and headlights too and avoid nasty surprises. Pack handy items like jump leads, a blanket, a shovel, an ice scraper, and snow chains in the boot. To make things easy, we’ve put together a checklist to get your car ready for winter:
Checklist:
- Winter tyres
- Antifreeze for coolant
- Antifreeze for windscreen washer
- Battery check – charge or replace if needed
- Headlight check
- Regularly clean headlights
- Clean and grease door seals
- In the boot: jump lead, blanket, shovel, ice scraper, hand brush, cover sheet, and snow chains
One last tip: Keep a door lock de-icer handy or at home – it’s useless in the glove box if you can’t get in the car!
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