Snow farce: what motorists should pay attention to in winter

Winter is a difficult time for a car. Frost, road reagents, mud and snow worsen the operating conditions," reminded motorists and experts interviewed by Izvestia. They recommended to pay attention to the care of paintwork, not to forget about regular washing of the car. Experts also advise to be ready for unpleasant surprises and have a shovel, tow rope and a supply of antifreeze in the car. On the important nuances of winter operation of the car - in the material "Izvestia".

What cars suffer from in winter

During small minus temperatures in winter there is slush and mud on the roads, which stains the glass and interferes with the view, reminded motorists and experts interviewed by "Izvestia". And at this time it is necessary to carefully monitor the presence of washer fluid in the car - this is the period of its increased consumption.

- In Russia, winter has become milder, and on the roads you can more often meet with slush, which worsens visibility, so there is an increased consumption of antifreeze, - said motorist Alexei. - If my sensor lights up, which signals that the liquid is running out, I look for a safe place where I can refill it.

And car owner Anna advised to buy washer fluid only in reliable retail outlets.

- It is not worth it to buy non-freeze in stalls or by the road, it is better to do it in specialized places, such as auto stores or gas stations - she is sure. - In this case, you will protect yourself from buying toxic liquid or "colored water", which will freeze at the slightest cold.

In winter you should wash your car more often than in summer, reminded motorist Vladislav, noting that the roads use a large number of reagents, which strongly affect the condition of the car body.

- Because of them, the car can rust, and in places with damage - rot, - he added. - Washing removes the residues of reagents, thus prolonging the life of the paintwork of the car.

How to clean the car from snow

To clean snow from the car should be with the help of means that scratch the body, said auto expert Julia Miloslavskaya. It is necessary to use a brush with a soft pile, special devices - blowers, which clean the body from snow with a strong stream of air.

- Special attention should be paid to modern means of protection of the coating: if possible, it is necessary to apply wax or special polishing, which will create a protective layer on the body and will repel snow and water, as well as to carry out anti-corrosion treatment of the lower part of the car, - she added. - Regular visits to the car wash in winter should not be forgotten. A car operated in large cities should preferably be washed at least once every two weeks to avoid corrosion.

With contactless cleaning of the body, the car coating is less susceptible to scratches that arise even from the softest brushes, says Arkady, a car enthusiast with 15 years of experience.

- After a heavy snowfall, I use a blower to quickly clean my car from the pile of snow on it," he said. - The main thing is to start the car before you start cleaning it. The car will have time to run working fluids through the motor in a few minutes while you are cleaning its body, and all the units will reach operating temperature.

Also, an experienced driver advises not to immediately turn on the most intensive mode of heating inside the cabin: because of the rapid and uneven heating, the windows can suffer. They become more fragile and may crack from the slightest impact.

Snow captivity

Drivers are advised to avoid parking near snowdrifts, because snow removal equipment can backfill the car or damage it. If the car is covered with snow and there is no possibility to get out on your own, a small shovel can help - experts advise to carry it with you always in winter.

- I always have a "Snow Maiden kit" in my car, without which I don't go anywhere, - said Yulia Miloslavskaya. - Plaid - to create coziness, ski suit, boots, hat and mittens - in case you want to organize a snow adventure right on the highway. A shovel and a tow rope - if the adventure catches up in the forest or field. Also in the set there is silicone grease, as a couple of times in the cold the doors and the gas tank hatch simply did not open.

Also the auto expert advises not to forget about the fuel reserve and carry a canister with you on trips, because you can wait for help for a long time, and in order not to freeze, the car should work all the time.

In the automotive environment there is a dispute whether it is necessary to warm up the car engine in winter or you can start moving immediately after starting, the interviewed experts reminded. Motorists advise not to neglect warming up, because it will facilitate the work of the motor and extend its life.

- When I start driving on the already warmed up car, I still do it not too intensively, because it is difficult for a car in winter to get the working temperature of the engine, - said Stanislav, an automobile mechanic. - In the first 10 minutes of driving I do not raise the engine speed above 2 thousand and wait for the coolant temperature to come to normal.

Specialists advise to periodically check the battery charge, especially if it is old, as the cold negatively affects its performance. In addition, it is worth checking the pressure in the tires and monitor the depth of the tread, because it affects safety on the road.

Motorists often confuse dense snowdrifts with fresh snow and break bumpers on them, experts point out. They advise to be wary of any snow obstacles, each of them may turn out to be the cause of a car breakdown.