With the onset of cold weather, every driver thinks about switching to winter tires. But more and more car owners realize that the car needs to be prepared for winter comprehensively, not just by changing the tires. Experts at Toyota Center Kyiv "Vidi Avtostrada" have prepared a list of recommendations for operating a car in the autumn-winter period, as well as announced special offers for their customers.
The main rule is to start preparing not after the first snowfall, but in advance. A warm autumn day can be used to carry out all necessary procedures and not rely on the whims of the weather.
To understand the variety of services and figure out what exactly your car needs, you should first realize how the weather affects its condition. Frost, short daylight hours, precipitation, ice, and the reagents used on roads, including salt and sand, cause serious damage to the car, accelerating corrosion and putting components and mechanisms out of action. These consequences are better avoided in advance. It is also important to remember about fluids — in winter, completely different ones are needed than in summer. Let's go through everything in order.
So, here are the main tasks that should be performed when preparing your car for winter:
- Mounting tires and balancing them.
- Checking the suspension.
- Adjusting wheel alignment angles.
- Checking the battery.
- Checking antifreeze density.
- Replacing engine oil and filter.
- Treating hidden body cavities and underbody.
- Protecting the paintwork.
- Replacing brake pads.
- Protecting the interior upholstery.
- Diagnosing the thermostat.
- Replacing spark plugs.
- Protecting the engine compartment.
The listed parts and systems may wear out over the summer, but replacement is not always necessary. Diagnostics, which are carried out at any service station before winter, will help determine this. At the same time, you should not skimp on the quality of service — an attempt to save money can turn into problems at the most inopportune moment. Official services, where qualified technicians work, often offer favorable conditions as part of autumn promotions.
As for specific services, the importance of changing tires needs no explanation — anyone who has ever hit ice on summer tires understands what it threatens. When installing a winter set, be sure to check the wheel alignment so that the tires wear evenly and the car behaves stably. Some services offer to store the client's seasonal tires while they are not needed. This makes the tire change process almost unnoticeable and convenient.
It is equally important to make sure that the suspension is fully ready for difficult conditions. The battery must also be in order — in frost, its capacity drops, and starting the engine in winter is difficult. Therefore, it is worth checking the battery charge and recharging it if necessary. You should also make sure that the coolant can withstand low temperatures — for this, its density is checked.
Do not forget that the car has long ceased to be just a means of transportation, but also a reflection of the owner's status and taste. Therefore, it is important to preserve its appearance after winter. Modern technologies offer many solutions — from classic to innovative. Old methods are no longer as effective as new developments. Modern materials protect the body, underbody, paintwork, under-hood space, and interior from dirt, salt, moisture, and temperature changes. It is better to apply such coatings at official services that guarantee the quality and authenticity of materials.
In addition to professional services, it is also important to take care of the car yourself. For example, timely replace the washer fluid in the reservoir and use special winter accessories that are sold everywhere. There is one nuance here: for the car, it is better to choose original accessories from the manufacturer or those recommended by it. They are created taking into account all the features of a particular model and really work.
By following these simple rules and listening to the advice of specialists, you can survive the winter without unnecessary hassle, and driving will still be a pleasure.
The material was prepared based on recommendations from experts at the Toyota Center Kyiv "Vidi Avtostrada" service.
Toyota Center Kyiv "Vidi Avtostrada" is part of "Vidi AvtoCity" — the first and only City of Cars in Ukraine. Today, "Vidi AvtoCity" unites six dealership centers in Kyiv and Odesa with a total area of 50,000 square meters, represents more than 40 models of different brands, and has over 100 service bays that service up to 400 cars daily. Clients have access to a full range of services: test drive, car purchase, insurance, leasing, lending, trade-in (exchange of a used car for a new one with an additional payment), official service, accessories, and spare parts. This is a premium level of service in everything. This is a real City of Cars!
"Vidi Avtostrada"
City of Cars. "Vidi AvtoCity".
Bolsaya Koltsevaya, 56-62
Sofiivska Borshchahivka, Kyiv
