Winter driving

Many car owners try to service their car before winter, even when there are still a thousand or two kilometres left before the next oil change. That certainly makes sense, since the engine will have to work in much harder conditions, so fresh oil can only do it good. Unfortunately, though, many car owners limit themselves to the standard set of scheduled-service operations, often forgetting about points that seem “minor” at first glance.

So what do you need to remember when preparing your car for pre-winter servicing?

First, remember that fixing any technical problem with a car, even the most trivial one, is far harder and more expensive once it’s freezing outside, so all the “loose ends” need to be tied up before the frost sets in. That means all the “little things” that “don’t affect performance” and so never quite get done.

Second, it’s important to understand that the main problem for an engine in winter is a cold start, which is why every component involved in starting the engine absolutely must be serviced and checked. That means the engine itself, the injection system, the starter, the battery, and of course the alternator that keeps the battery charged.

Third, remember that all the oils and fluids in a car have a shelf life, after which they most likely stop being “freeze-proof”. This applies not just to engine and gear oil — it also covers the power-steering fluid, as well as the brake fluid and coolant.