Preparation of the car for the autumn-winter season: checklist of antifreeze checks, battery and wiper brushes

Belarusian autumn is insidious: even today weather forecasters please us with the Indian summer and the cherished +21 ° C, but very soon morning frosts will force motorists to convulsively turn on the heating of glass. To the first serious minus not caught by surprise, you need to prepare the car for the cold in advance.

Experienced car service professionals know that about 80% of “seasonal” breakdowns at the start of winter can be prevented by simple prevention. We publish a mandatory checklist of three key items that require verification in the first place.

1. Antifreeze: Check the density, not just the level

It is a mistake to think that if the coolant in the expansion tank is between the MIN and MAX marks, then there is nothing to worry about. Over time, antifreeze loses its properties, and if during the summer you or the previous owner added distilled water, the freezing threshold of the liquid is guaranteed to move closer to zero.

How to check: Checking the color is not enough. At SRT, the density of antifreeze is checked with a special device. It shows the actual crystallization temperature of the liquid. For Belarusian winters, the composition must confidently hold a minimum of -35°C.

When to change: Even the most modern antifreezes (G12++ and G13) last no more than 5 years, and older formulations (G11) - about 2-3 years. If the liquid in the tank became cloudy, acquired a reddish hue or precipitated - change the system completely with washing. Antifreeze frozen in winter is a direct path to cracks in the cylinder block or a ruptured radiator.

2. Battery: why “twisted in summer” does not mean “start in winter”

In summer, a minimum effort is required to start the engine. Visually, the battery may seem completely serviceable. However, with a drop in air temperature, the battery capacity drops rapidly, and the engine oil in the crankcase thickens, requiring much more energy from the starter.

Load test: A conventional multimeter will show only the rest voltage (the norm is from 12.6 V). To understand whether the battery will withstand a frosty morning, you need to check it with a loading fork at the service station or in a specialized auto goods store. If under load the voltage falls below 9-10 V, the battery will not survive the winter.

Maintenance: If you have a serviceable battery, check the level and density of the electrolyte. Be sure to clean the terminals of oxides (white plaque) and treat them with a protective thermal lubricant. If the battery is more than 4-5 years old, the best solution before the winter is to buy a new unit - nerves and time in the cold are more expensive.

3. Windshield wiper brushes: getting rid of "blind zones"

Autumn and winter in Belarus are endless mud, wet snow and a short daylight. In such conditions, poor visibility due to worn-out “janitors” directly affects road safety.

Signs of wear and tear: If the brushes leave stripes, divorces, uncleaned areas or make an unpleasant creak when working, it is time to change them. During the summer, under the influence of ultraviolet light and heat, the gum bluffs and loses elasticity.

What to choose for the winter:

Frame brushes for winter are the worst fit - their metal hinges are instantly clogged with ice and freeze, ceasing to press rubber against the glass.

Frameless - a more universal and popular option.

Winter brushes (in a protective rubber cover) are the ideal choice. The case protects the joints from icing, and the working edge itself is made of a softer composition that does not tan in the cold.

Council: Do not forget in advance, before the onset of stable frosts, spray the summer "wash" from the tank and pour quality winter liquid. If the summer water freezes in the tubes and nozzles, it will be very difficult to heat them without a warm parking lot, and frozen water can simply break the plastic tank or disable the washer pump.

Get ready for winter and good luck on the road!

1. 1.See also: How to check traffic police fines on the base of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Belarus: a step-by-step guide without “letters of happiness”