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2026
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After the Beginning of Winter, You Should Make These Preparations: Be Prepared for Winter Driving
Lidong marks the beginning of winter, and daylight hours will continue to shorten. Winter in the north is so harsh—what could be better than a steaming hot pot and a small cup of liquor to warm your heart? While your body is warmed, northern drivers' beloved cars also have to undergo another test in the severe winter. How can you ensure your car safely gets through another cold season?
● Replace the desiccant tank to prevent the valve body from freezing and malfunctioning
For drivers who deliver goods to the north during winter, temperature and icy roads are the main challenges. When entering the cold season, the first step is to replace the dryer. If the dryer has not been replaced for a long time, water vapor and impurities can remain inside the dryer and pipelines, which can freeze under low temperatures, severely affecting the normal operation of the air system and valves, and may even cause brake failure and other issues. Drivers can consider inspecting or replacing the dryer based on the specific situation to prevent problems before they occur.
● Pay attention to No. 0 diesel: There’s a technique to using a blowtorch to heat the fuel tank
Many drivers encounter the problem of diesel in the fuel tank gelling and solidifying due to low temperatures, making it difficult to heat and warm. Especially overnight, when starting the vehicle the next day, the fuel may gel extensively, requiring a long time to heat it. At this time, a diesel or gasoline blowtorch is the most commonly used tool for thawing and can be prepared in advance to defrost the tank.
At this time, when heating the fuel tank, be sure to open the fuel tank cap for ventilation. Focus on heating the area around the fuel tank probe and distribute heat evenly on the fuel tank surface. Do not heat one spot for a long time to avoid causing a fire. In addition, modifying the exhaust pipe to blow directly onto the fuel tank is also a good option. The best effect is achieved when the smoke outlet is a few centimeters away from the outer wall of the tank. However, this method only provides some insulation; the downside is that the fuel tank will get blackened, making it unsuitable for cold starts after long periods of parking.
To prevent diesel from becoming thick and difficult to start due to low temperatures, the most direct solution is still to replace the diesel. You can choose #5 diesel, #0 diesel, -10# diesel, -20# diesel, -35# diesel, and -50# diesel according to the temperature.
● Check the battery to ensure power supply requirements
In addition to simple exterior cleaning and maintenance, you should also check the electrolyte level of the battery. The discharge level of the battery can be judged by the density of the electrolyte, and for maintenance-free batteries, the status can be checked through the observation window of the built-in hydrometer. It should be noted that for every 0.01 g/cm³ drop in electrolyte density, the battery discharges by 6%. If discharge exceeds 25% during winter, it should be promptly recharged, otherwise the battery’s service life may be shortened, leading to early damage.
In winter, it is necessary to maintain a relatively low electrolyte density without letting it freeze. When adding distilled water, be sure to do so before charging the battery. If too much distilled water is added or the battery is excessively discharged, causing the electrolyte density to drop, the battery may freeze. Once the battery freezes, the vehicle will not start normally. When adding battery replenishing fluid, use a dedicated battery replenishing fluid. Never add tap water or mineral water. Also, do not add battery electrolyte.
● Car windows should be treated gently. Replace with antifreeze windshield washer fluid.
Car maintenance often overlooks the care of car windows. In environments below zero degrees Celsius, antifreeze windshield washer fluid should be used, or an appropriate proportion of alcohol can be added to the windshield washer fluid to lower the freezing point and prevent freezing.
In winter, aged rubber wiper blades can easily become stiff and unusable. To ensure safety, it's best to replace them in time. If you find that the wipers are stuck to the windshield by snow and water, never rinse them directly with hot water, as this can cause the window to crack due to temperature changes and the wipers to deform. The proper method is to turn on the air conditioning to hot air, set the blower mode to the front windshield, and wait for the wipers to thaw naturally.
● Anti-slip chains and shovels are essential to confidently handle icy and snowy conditions
In winter, the cold is often accompanied by ice and snow, which directly affects tire grip. Anti-slip chains and shovels become essential winter equipment. A shovel can be used to clear snow and ice, and is usually the first rescue measure. Installing anti-slip chains requires more careful attention.
The mainstream anti-slip chains include iron chains, rubber chains, cowhide chains, and steel wire rope anti-slip chains, with alloy anti-slip chains being more commonly used. Before installing or removing them, make sure the vehicle is parked in a safe area, and never install chains on a tire that is underinflated or flat. The size of the anti-slip chain must also be appropriate; chains that are too loose or too tight should not be used. If there is any unusual noise while driving, check it promptly.
Installing anti-slip chains does not mean you can drive recklessly. The speed should generally be kept below 40 km/h, and avoid sudden acceleration, braking, sharp turns, and continuous tire spinning. When the vehicle reaches a road section where anti-slip chains are no longer needed, they should be removed promptly.
● Editor's Note
Low temperatures and snow in winter often cause trouble for drivers, so it’s wise to prepare in advance for the cold. Equipping your vehicle with winter gear ensures greater driving safety, and careful inspection and maintenance can give you peace of mind during winter. This is just the basic maintenance for the vehicle itself; there are many other effective methods to ensure safe winter driving. Drivers are welcome to share and discuss these tips together.
Focus on the research and development of automotive brake systems and pneumatic brake valves to promote the development of the auto parts industry!
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