Changing your summer washer fluid to winter is important. After all, summer fluid can freeze…
A slippery subject... the driver's winter decalogue
(photo Moje Auto)
Road accidents occur six times more often in winter than in summer, according to statistics prepared by the German automobile club ADAC. Winter weather is not always favorable for drivers - heavy snow, slippery surfaces, limited visibility, ice, but also low temperature inside the car, all these factors affect driving safety and comfort. You can't ignore the weather, even if you think it's only a few degrees below zero or a little snow, your car will handle it very well. Are you sure?
Not always! Limited confidence in your own car will be useful. It's just a vehicle that is not failure-free and immortal. Equating him with a reliable friend may back you into a corner. Don't give in to the winter weather, trust yourself and your common sense above all. Prepare your winter accessories!
In winter, only winter tires
But Polish regulations do not require this - you may think. Do Polish regulations prohibit you from walking on the edge of the steep roof of your house? Summer tires should remain in the garage in autumn. Winter ones are clearly different - they are made of a different mixture, they are more flexible and pliable, retaining these properties even in severe frosts. They also have a properly designed tread to effectively "bite" into snow-covered roads like crampons on a mountain trail. In addition, it is responsible for the quick drainage of water and removal of slush. The street surface in winter has little grip, but winter tires provide greater stability and therefore safety.
You already see what properties summer and winter tires have. Also know that you can buy popular all-season tires for your car. It can be said that their properties are the sum of the properties of summer and winter tires. The rubber mixture used to produce them is a common denominator. They are certainly a better solution than summer tires on winter surfaces. They also do not squeak and do not wear out so quickly when driving on hot asphalt.
However, winter tires are the best solution due to large changes in temperature and humidity. Therefore, always try to change your tires for winter. Driving on summer tires is very dangerous. The car's braking is significantly deteriorated and becomes less effective with each degree Celsius lower.
Seasonal tire change is the most important thing you can do for the safety of yourself, passengers and other road users. You are not alone on the road, you must also take into account the safety of other road users.
(photo: My Car)
Basic equipment for a winter driver
Changing summer tires to winter ones is not the only responsibility of the driver, for whom road safety in unfavorable conditions is a priority. You need it winter windshield washer fluid, which retains its liquid state and properties at low temperatures, down to -20 degrees Celsius. You also need to prepare for the annual battle with snow and ice. Icy windows and a freezing lock are unpleasant memories from last year that you don't want to go back to. To make sure this doesn't happen this time, bet on window defroster, which will help you remove ice and snow with a scraper. Lock defroster It's a clever way to prevent doors from opening when it's frosty, just don't leave it inside!
(photo: My Car)
With increased caution and limited trust
You changed tires and windshield washer fluid, you have bought winter automotive accessories, but you still have to remember that winter is not the best time for fast driving. On dry asphalt, the braking distance at 80 km/h is up to 40 meters, and on ice it can be even more than three times longer! Ice is not always visible, it may be hidden under a layer of snow. When braking suddenly and abruptly, the car does not stop quickly enough, there is a high risk of skidding, which often results in an accident.
You may be well prepared for winter and know how dangerous winter driving can be. However, you cannot be sure that other drivers have tried to change tires and that their car is functional enough. During the white season, the principle of limited trust applies twice as much.
It seems that if you have everything you need at hand, nothing bad can happen along the way. Be careful, because such thinking may weaken your vigilance. You've changed your tires, window cleaner, you have the most important accessories at your fingertips, but can you drive safely on a snow-covered street? Many drivers mistakenly believe that preparing their car is all they need. As they say, "it doesn't matter what, it matters how." There is something to this saying. Driving technique in winter is significantly different from that in warmer periods.
You should know that even a functional car behaves worse in winter than in summer. Therefore, even a fully functional car with winter tires on its wheels will not make driving completely safe. Remember that the braking distance will be longer on a snow-covered street and maneuvering the car will be more difficult. In addition to all this, there are also other road users who do not necessarily have to be professional drivers. If you want to drive safely on the roads, you need to be aware of all this.
With kindness and understanding
Remember that you are never alone on the road, there are also other road users - pedestrians, cyclists and drivers in cars. If the car in front of you is going slower, do not overtake it, which can be very dangerous on slippery roads and snowfall. Let drivers waiting on a minor street in front of you, let pedestrians pass on the crossing, and help those whose car has stopped working. By helping each other, we can change the statistics of road accidents and thus increase road safety in winter!
