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5 tips to avoid car breakdown in winter

5 tips to avoid car breakdown in winter

If your car stays outside during the winter, this article is made for you! If not, the reading might be interested and gives good advices anyway.

Check the battery

We tend to forget that the battery does not last forever. The cold could damage it, which causes many repairs. Its lifespan is from 4 to 6 years according to the use of the vehicle. No start possible with an old battery. 

Our tips :
  • Perform a battery test before the winter with a multimeter or ask a professional.

Use a high-quality antifreeze (screenwash liquids, fuel, coolants)

Use a quality product in your screenwash, coolant or even fuel tank! As you know, at low temperatures, the water freezes so you may not use “pure” water in your screenwash tank. If you use a concentrated coolant, make sure to respect the proportion with water to avoid freezing.

Our tips :

  • Use a ready-to-use screenwash liquid. Avoid any water/handmade soap mix that could freeze and be corrosive.
  • Use a Bardahl ready-to-use coolant recommended by the greatest car manufacturers (always check the car manufacturer manual before use).
  • For diesel engines, use Bardahl diesel antifreeze, a protection for road and non-road diesel that facilitates cold-start and can be used to -28°C (according to the type of diesel). Bardahl diesel antifreeze is compatible with diesel composed of additives in gas stations.

Defrost your car before driving

The snow might be dangerous for others and yourself when you are driving. The glasses must be completely defrosted.

Our tips : 

Do not use the handbrake

Most of nowadays vehicles have an electric handbrake. While a small button takes up less space in the cabin, the handbrake may lock your rear wheels when it freezes. If you have a manual transmission car, engage a gear. If you have an automatic transmission, leave it in the "P" position, without engaging the electric handbrake.

Think about your tires

Tires are the only points of contact between the road and the vehicle. It should never be forgotten. As soon as the temperature drops below 7°C, winter tires are much more efficient than summer tires. If you drive few kilometers per year (less than 15,000 km/ ear), you can use all-season tires. In all cases, the pressure should be checked at least once a month.

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