2024-01-10 20:40:18
Cars are chilly, even more so when they are electric. Frozen, windshields and headlights eaten by frost, they are less reliable. Their less safe trajectories on icy roads. “During snowy episodes and extreme cold, we generally record a 10% increase in auto claims,” indicates Christophe Dandois, CEO of Leocare, a multi-service neo-insurance company. Here is the checklist of essential checks to take the road safely.
Monitor your tire pressure
This tends to decrease in winter, under the effect of the cold. However, tires in good condition and well inflated are more essential than ever on snowy or icy roads. In mountain areas, many motorists choose winter tires; In urban areas, all-season tires, which are attracting more and more drivers, are an additional guarantee of safety.
Take the time to ensure maximum visibility
If you plan ahead, protect your windshield and mirrors at night. All kinds of dedicated protection are offered by specialist brands, but a simple unfolded piece of cardboard stuck under the windshield wipers can also be very suitable. If you have not taken any precautions, you may have to “scrape” to remove the frost.
“A good old-fashioned squeegee does the job very well,” recommends Nicolas Blanchard, after-sales manager in the LS Group automobile distribution network, “because elbow grease is much more ecological than de-icing bombs. » Whatever happens, avoid at all costs the bottle of lukewarm water on the windshield, the best way to damage your seals, or to crack the glass and end up at Carglass… whose disappearance of harsh winters had precisely weakened the business. Finally, check your wiper blades. The most foresighted pick them up at night. Also add a little antifreeze to your window washer fluid.
Check your battery and your defrosting and heating systems
For example, do not hesitate to turn on your headlights to ensure that they are working at full power. This will give you an indication of the viability of the battery. And don’t worry if your start & stop, the engine’s automatic stop-start system that saves fuel, doesn’t turn on. At Renault, below 75% of your battery charge, the device does not activate.
Fill your fuel tank to the brim
The advice, delivered by TotalEnergies, may seem self-serving. But a full tank “effectively avoids condensation inside, and therefore water which, by mixing with gasoline or diesel, creates difficulties when starting,” explains Nicolas Blanchard. “No need to be at the gas station every morning to maintain your fuel level,” he immediately says. Filling up only once, if you are not used to doing so, allows you to clean around the tank. »
Soften the seals on your doors
Frost likes gaps, and the plastic torn from the driver’s door being forced open is a winter classic. A simple solution? “A can of silicone, sold for around twenty euros in specialized stores and on the Internet, and a cloth to take care of your joints,” recommends Nicolas Blanchard. Don’t like aerosols? “Parents of young children can even use talcum powder,” says the expert. Who continues: “But soap will also be very effective. »
Wash your underbody and wheel arches
In extreme cold, road services throw salt on the roads to prevent water from freezing on the asphalt. An ally… temporary, because sodium chloride is a major enemy for bodywork and even braking systems. As soon as the temperatures rise, clean your car using a high pressure jet with clean water. Do not neglect the underside of the vehicle, which is more sensitive to projections. Some washing centers offer packages including chassis cleaning.
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