The Winter is in Germany at the door. And he will probably again this time for snow and ice on our roads. Motorists must then adapt in a special way to the challenges of the cold season. However, there are always some deadly sins committed, which must be avoided at all costs.
Unobstructed view: Particularly important in winter is good visibility, which often prevents the disc frost. If the windows are iced or covered with snow, you should absolutely scratch them before driving. A hand brush and an ice scraper should therefore always be within reach of the car and also be used. Warming up the vehicle while standing is certainly not a good idea. Here, a lot of time is lost and the environment is burdened in a special way. Optimal is a programmable auxiliary heater, which allows an ice-free start without warm-up phase. A very bad idea: pour hot water over the slices for quick freezing. The large temperature differences can lead to tensions and cracks in the glass.
Distance: If the roads are smooth, you should keep your car at a much greater distance to the front man than in dry road conditions. The braking distance can be extended in smoothness many times. Particularly treacherous: hidden under a blanket of snow, invisible layers of ice, which even cars with good winter tires can be fatal. If the car crashes on ice, the driver has lost control of the vehicle. Often you have to watch helplessly as the car slips unstoppably against an obstacle. In order to avoid dangerous Schlitterpartien, recommended as controlled and gentle braking maneuvers. The more impulsive the brakes, the easier it will be to slip.
Frost protection: In winter, the car should be supplied with antifreeze. In addition to the container for wiping water, above all, the cooling liquid must be protected against freezing. If it comes to ice formation in the cooling water system, this can have fatal consequences for the engine.
Greasing Gaskets: In winter, moisture can easily accumulate between doors and gaskets. Should that wetness freeze, not only can you get problems opening a door, but you can also damage the seals. Namely, when opening parts of the frozen rubber can break off. If, on the other hand, door seals are treated with deer tallow or similar fatty substances, the doors can usually be opened without difficulty despite the effects of frost and moisture. In addition, greased seals remain supple and intact in the long term. Speaking of moisture: Before getting into the vehicle you should shake off the snow clothing, so that not too much moisture gets into the vehicle. Otherwise, the windows fog more easily from the inside, and water can also cause mold in the interior.
The right tires: Furthermore, there is no general, but only a situational winter tire requirement in Germany. In the case of black ice, snow, slush, ice or frosted ice, riding on summer tires is prohibited according to traffic regulations. Anyone caught on slippery roads with summer tires risks fines and even a Flensburg point. If the change from summer to winter tires is too cumbersome or costly, you may want to opt for all-season tires. (Mario Hommen / SP-X)
