The next winter is sure to come, and with it the increased risk of breaking down with the car. Unfortunately, the colder or muddier the weather, the more likely it is to break down. This has nothing to do with "Murphy's Law", but mostly with a lack of preparation of the car.

A car has several weak points that are particularly vulnerable to cold, wet, frost and ice.


The battery

The car's battery is particularly challenged in winter, because when the engine is freezing cold in the morning, it has to be particularly strong to be able to start the car.

It is better to change an old, weak battery before things get dicey. If the temperatures are slowly dropping and the car is having problems starting even before a thick frost, this may be necessary.

The same applies to generators and starters.

Antifreeze

The windscreen wiper system is essential in rain and snow, so it should be topped up regularly and antifreeze added. This is the only way to use the windscreen wipers at all in sub-zero temperatures.

The performance of the wiper blades can also be significantly increased by cleaning or replacing them.

Winter tyres

It is better to fit these tyres, which are specially designed for bad weather, before the first frost or snow and sleet showers occur.

Although installation is not prescribed by law, it is recommended for every car.

Door locks and seals

Locks can be protected against freezing; there are various products available in the shops for this purpose; graphite spray is recommended.

Conventional de-icer spray is only used when it is too late and the doors are already frozen.

What is less well known is that the rubber seals on doors and tailgates can and should also be protected against freezing. The use of such agents also prevents rubber from quickly becoming brittle and fragile, which is further favoured by low temperatures.

Headlights

Even if you don't want to wash your car in winter, as it quickly gets dirty again anyway, the headlights should be cleaned regularly so that visibility is not restricted even more than by the dirty weather itself.