How to prepare a car for the first frost in Belarus: 7 mandatory steps

Autumn in our latitudes is treacherous: yesterday afternoon the thermometer showed comfortable +10 ° C, and tomorrow morning the windshield will meet you with an ice crust. The Belarusian climate does not forgive driving carelessness. To the first serious disadvantage does not catch you by surprise on the way to work, you need to prepare the car now.

We have collected 7 mandatory steps that will save your budget from unplanned spending, and your nervous system from stress.

1. Winter tires: don't wait until December 1

According to the traffic rules of Belarus, winter tires are mandatory from December 1 to March 1. However, the traffic police annually urges to change shoes much earlier. Summer tires begin to "blown" and lose their coupling properties already at +5 ... +7 ° C, even on dry asphalt.

1. 1.What to do: Sign up for tire fittings in advance, so as not to stand in long lines during the first snowfall. Check the residual tread - for winter tires it should be at least 4 mm.

2. Battery test: durability test

Everyone remembers the January morning yards where one lights up the other. In the cold, the battery capacity falls, and the load on it due to thickened oil increases. If in the summer the old battery still somehow coped, then in -5 ° C it can simply "die".

1. 1.What to do: Go to the station or independently check the density of the electrolyte and voltage under load. If the battery is over 4-5 years old, it may be time to buy a new one. Before winter, clear the terminals of oxides.

3. Transition to “freezing”: pumping out summer water

Forgotten water or summer concentrate in the washing tank is a classic mistake of Belarusian motorists. At the first minus, the liquid will turn into ice, which can tear a plastic tank, pipes or burn the motor of the washer.

1. 1.What to do: Completely consume the summer liquid and pour quality winter “freezing”. Choose proven formulations in large chain stores or at gas stations, so as not to stumble upon methanol dangerous to health. Be sure to spill the liquid through the system so that it reaches the nozzles.

4. Care for rubber seals and locks

Know the situation when after a thaw and night frost you can not get into your own car? The doors literally grow to the body, and the handles jam. Rubber absorbs moisture, which in the cold turns into glue.

1. 1.What to do: Buy a can of silicone lubricant. Carefully wipe all rubber seals of the doors and trunk with a dry cloth, then treat them with silicone. In the larvae of the locks (if you open the car with a key), you should spray a water-repellent spray (for example, WD-40).

5. Checking antifreeze and brake fluid

Cooling liquid (antifreeze) has the property of aging, losing its properties, and brake fluid is hygroscopic - it absorbs moisture from the air. If a lot of water has accumulated in the brake system, with a critical minus, it can freeze, which will lead to brake failure.

1. 1.What to do: Check the freezing point of your antifreeze. It should not be above -35°C. Brake fluid, if you have not changed it for the last 2 years or 40 thousand km, it is better to update completely.

6. Replacement of wiper brushes

Worn-out “janitors” who leave the stripes in October, in November, under the influence of snow and reagents will turn the windshield into a solid cloudy spot. The review is your safety.

1. 1.What to do: Replace your brushes with new ones. For Belarusian winter, frameless brushes or special winter models in a rubber cover are perfect, which protects mobile elements from icing.

7. Assembling the “winter kit” in the trunk

Time to get out of the garage or mezzanine winter equipment.

What to put in the car right now:

• A solid brush with an ice scraper.

• Defrosting glass (“anti-ice”) in a bottle with a spray gun.

Waterproof gloves (so as not to clean the car in city leather).

• Lighting wires (“crocodiles”).

Take care of your car this weekend. Spent an hour and a half of time and a small amount on expenses will save you a lot of time, nerves and money when the Belarusian winter suddenly decides to claim their rights. Easy start and safe roads for you!

- See also: When to change tires for winter in Belarus in 2026: the law, nuances and rules of choice