With snowy landscapes in winter, many breakdowns happen to our cars, and that’s not so nice. But don’t panic, in this article we will tell you 3 key elements of your car (whose importance is sometimes unexpected) that you need to maintain to ensure optimal operation during the winter season. Winter maintenance of your car is not as difficult as it seems, and without being a mechanical professional, you can easily manage with the right information, the right tools and the right gestures.
What are the 3 elements of your car that you need to maintain in winter?
Some failures must be monitored to avoid serious consequences in some cases .
The seals of your car: why and how to take care of them?
Especially in winter, it is important to regularly check the wear of the seals of your car. Located in the passenger compartment and in the engine, they are essential for the smooth functioning of your car and your travel comfort. Your car’s door seals are designed to form a seal between the inside and outside when the doors are closed. Made of flexible rubber, they are attached to the frame of your car door with adhesive and act like a shield to prevent water, wind, moisture or noise from entering. In short, thermal and acoustic insulation. However, from a hot summer to a cool fall to a cold winter, over the years the seals dry out, lose their flexibility and become brittle, compromising the tightness of your car, which then becomes vulnerable to elements such as wind, rain, snow and dust, which can then penetrate, making your travels a little less enjoyable.
To check for wear, you must first visually inspect the seals and look for any signs of cracks or damage. Once wear is detected, it’s important to lubricate them to prevent further damage. You can use a variety of lubricants, preferably those recommended for your car’s make and model. In addition, you should also make sure to apply the lubricant evenly and carefully to fully maintain the seal and better protect it from the cold. This will keep your doors in good condition through the winter months and beyond, saving you from sometimes very expensive repairs.
The hood lock of your car: avoid dangers
If it seems natural to open and close your car’s hood at will throughout the year in winter, that’s a different story. Hoods blocked under cold conditions are common, and if you have been lucky enough to escape them so far, a brief tour of automotive forums will convince you of the importance that must be given to this “small part”, but no less important for the body of your car. Indeed, the engine cover, due to its position and its role of protecting the engine and the essential elements that surround it, must constantly remain in good working condition so that you can carry out your checks and inspections whenever you want. On very cold days, this is not uncommon See how animals seek shelter under cars or directly in the engine compartment to take advantage of the heat. So, it is recommended to inspect your vehicle every morning before starting, but one of the biggest risks with the hood latch is the unexpected opening of the latches while driving, resulting in obstruction of vision or detachment of the hood hood, which can cause an accident. You can easily prevent this inconvenience by regular maintenance with lithium lubricant.
Lock your car door. Watch out for frost
Doors won’t open in the morning after a night of frost. It’s a scenario motorists would like to do without. While in most cases this is due to frozen door seals on a car parked outside, jammed doors can also be caused by your car lock freezing. Therefore, it is your responsibility to prevent frost from forming on your lock, but also to make sure that dirt does not settle there. There are several methods available to you for preventive treatment, such as using white anti-dirt lubricant, spraying compressed air to remove moisture, or even attaching a magnet to the lock to prevent frost from entering.
Winter is certainly the toughest season for cars, but if you take the lead, you can avoid a lot of unpleasantness for your car and your wallet. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure.
