The auto expert named the key measures to protect the car in winter
Constant snowfall, ice and an abundance of road reagents in winter directly affect the condition of the car and can accelerate its wear. Alexander Kornev, head of the Department for Work with Importers at Gazprombank Autoleasing, told Izvestia on January 3 how to properly care for the car in the cold season.
According to him, it is important to prepare for winter comprehensively, paying attention not only to the appearance of the car, but also to the technical components. First of all, the expert advises to inspect the body regularly. Even small chips and scratches in the conditions of "chemical porridge" on the roads quickly turn into pockets of corrosion. It is better to eliminate damage with exposed metal immediately, using special kits for local repairs, selected for a specific car brand.
"It's better to protect the car with an anti-gravity film so that you don't have to spend money on painting later. To save money, you can paste over the most vulnerable areas: the front pillars, the hood, the front fenders and the bumper. Before that, it will be necessary to repair all the damage, otherwise rust will develop even faster under the film," the expert explained.
Kornev considers the widespread opinion that a car can be washed less often in winter to be erroneous. Reagents actively destroy paintwork, chrome and plastic elements, so washing during the cold period should be even more regular and thorough. Special attention should be paid to arches, thresholds, bottoms and hard-to-reach places. After washing, it is important to dry the seals and locks, and use silicone compounds to protect against icing.
In addition, wheels require special attention. Kornev advises owners of new studded tires to drive calmly for the first 500 km, not exceeding 90 km / h, so that the spikes "sit down" correctly in the seats. Winter tires also need regular cleaning of reagents, and the tread depth, according to the expert, should be at least 4 mm — anything less is unsafe.
In addition, during the cold season, the battery is under increased stress due to the active use of heaters and other energy consumers. Older batteries lose charge faster, so it is recommended to replace the battery every three to four years. In addition, oxidation may occur at the terminals due to chemical exposure, which reduces battery efficiency. In such cases, the terminals must be cleaned with special tools.
"It is necessary to warm up the car in winter, but a few minutes will be enough to disperse the lubricant through all the nodes. It is much more important for the engine to drive calmly without sudden gas emissions for the first 10-15 minutes on the road. Otherwise, the engine, which has not yet been warmed up, will run under heavy loads," the source said.
In winter, it is important to select an engine oil in advance that is designed for low temperatures and meets the manufacturer's tolerances. Compositions labeled 0W or 5W are suitable for cold climates, and the expert reminded diesel car owners of the need to use an antigel to prevent fuel thickening.
Kornev recommended changing the wiper blades more often, since worn rubber bands are worse able to cope with the chemical film and can damage the glass. As an additional accessory for careful drivers, he named a battery-powered blower that allows you to clean fresh snow from the body without the risk of scratching the paintwork, although it is ineffective against ice.
On December 4, Alexander Kornev, head of the department for work with importers at Gazprombank Autoleasing, told Izvestia how to wash a car properly in winter so as not to harm it. Make it a rule to visit the car wash once a week or two, but at least. Neglected stalactites made of chemicals and sand are more difficult to wash out of hard-to-reach places, especially since they actively spoil the body all this time.
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