Winter is coming again, whether we like it or not, which means it's time to get the car ready for winter. But what if, this time, it wouldn't surprise the driver, and winter could just arrive! Finnish winters are notoriously harsh on cars, so it's good to ensure everything is ready before the first snow falls.
Before winter, it's a good idea to thoroughly wash the car, both inside and out, including the interior. In addition, it's wise to equip the car with necessary supplies, just in case the journey gets cut short during a ski trip.
Car washing and protection
Getting your car ready for winter should start with a thorough wash while temperatures are still above freezing. During the summer, all sorts of dirt accumulates on the car's surface and undercarriage, and it's a good idea to wash these off before the winter salt season begins. When doing a basic car wash, it's also good to perform tar and iron removal from the car's paintwork. This ensures the paint surface is perfectly clean so that the car wax adheres best and lasts well into winter. Here are instructions for car waxing.
Another important aspect during a basic car wash is to wash the car's undercarriage and wheel arches. They collect a lot of dirt and can, in the worst case, cause rusting. This task can be done while the winter tires are being put on the car. So, spray Fure's Pre-Wash Agent on the undercarriage, go over the surfaces with a brush, and rinse.
Once the car is washed, it's good to dry the door jambs and apply silicone to the seals so that the doors don't freeze shut during winter frosts.
Equipping the car for winter
Additionally, it's good to remember to equip your car for winter, just in case your journey gets interrupted. First, check the battery's condition and charge it fully, as cold weather and car batteries are not a good combination. Often, cars are used for short distances in winter, and even on these trips, the seat heater is on full blast. Because of this, the battery doesn't have time to charge during short journeys, and eventually, the car might not start in the morning. Therefore, it's a good idea to charge the battery during winter as soon as it seems like the car isn't starting normally.
Also pack the following items in your car:
- Block heater
- Snow brush / Ice scraper
- Warm clothing
- Warning triangle
- Battery charger
Snow accumulation under the car
During winter, a lot of snow and ice can accumulate under the car, inside the bumpers, and in the wheel arches. These add a lot of extra weight to the car, which is definitely noticeable when driving.
It's a good idea to take the car to melt off all the snow and ice from the undercarriage about once a month. Parking garages and similar places where the car can melt in peace are excellent for this. However, it's important that the car melts completely, meaning all moisture also evaporates. When the car is brought into a warm place, water condenses on the cold metal surfaces, and if the car is allowed to melt for too short a time, this condensed water will freeze again, potentially causing rust inside the car's structures. So, if the car can only be in a warm place for a couple of hours, I would almost recommend postponing the melting process!
