Use engine oil of the correct grade and viscosity for cold weather (see chapter Current service). Thick summer oil can make it difficult to start the engine.
Treat the mechanisms of locking devices and cylinders of door locks with glycerin or a special de-icer.
Forced opening of a frozen door can cause the rubber door seal to separate. A frozen door should be warmed with hot water before opening, then wiped dry.
To wash the windshield and headlight lenses, use only liquids that provide the required resistance to freezing.
Attention! Never add cooling system antifreeze to the washer fluid reservoir, which, if it comes into contact with body parts, can damage the paintwork.
Preparing to start moving
Remove build-up of snow and ice from under the fenders, which may interfere with the operation of the steering gear.
Note. When driving in snowfall, stop regularly and clear the snow from under the fenders.
Before entering the salon, shake off the snow from your shoes, which, if melted, can make the pedals dangerously slippery.
While the engine is warming up, check that the accelerator, brake, clutch and other controls function properly.
Battery Care
Be aware that low temperatures reduce battery performance.
If the battery level is insufficient in frosty weather, there is a risk of freezing of the electrolyte. Regularly check the condition and charge level of the battery, if necessary, service and recharge it (see chapter Current service).
Use of antifreeze
With the onset of the winter season, when the ambient temperature can drop below 0°C, the engine cooling system should be filled with ethylene glycol-based antifreeze (see chapter Cooling, heating systems).
Removing water from the cooling system
If you refuse to use the car in the winter season, you must either fill the cooling system with antifreeze or completely remove water from the cooling path - drain plugs are located under the radiator and on the engine block. Be sure to top up the cooling system before starting the vehicle.
Parking in winter
Attention! Deep snow can cause dangerous concentrations of exhaust gases under the vehicle. To prevent this from happening, when parking in cold weather with the engine running, remove snow from the areas around the exhaust pipe and from below around the vehicle.
When parking for a long time in cold weather, avoid using the parking brake, the cable drive of which is prone to freezing.
Move the wiper arm away from the windshield when the vehicle is parked in snow or when it snows to prevent damage to the wiper blade.
When the car is parked after driving on a heavily snowy road or when parking in a blizzard, frost may form on the elements of the brake system, which may reduce its effectiveness. Before driving, make sure that there is no snow and frost on the suspension units, brake discs and hoses. If necessary, carefully remove the snow - take care not to damage the brake discs and hoses, the ABS mounting assembly and the air suspension components.
Refueling a car in cold weather
Use special fuel additives to prevent moisture from forming in the fuel system and freezing.
Note. The effectiveness of additives increases when they are added to a half-empty tank when refueling a car.
If you do not use the vehicle for a long time, leave the fuel tank fully filled.
Driving on snowy and icy roads
Attention! Do not use the cruise control on slippery roads.
To prevent slipping and skidding, avoid sudden braking, acceleration and maneuvering, observe a safe speed limit.
Always maintain a safe distance from vehicles directly ahead. Try to actively use engine braking - as and when necessary, switch to a lower gear.
Avoid sudden downshifts to avoid wheel lockup and loss of control.
The ABS system improves braking performance on snowy and icy roads, but remember that overconfidence is always fraught with the most serious consequences - be careful. Remember that ABS activation increases the braking distance.
Using the windshield wiper when it snows
Before driving, make sure that the wiper blade is not frozen to the windshield. If necessary, preheat the glass by selecting the defrost function for the air conditioning windows (see Comfort).
If, when driving in snow, the wiper blade does not provide the required cleaning of the windshield and ice begins to form on it, turn on the heating.
If necessary, after sufficient warming and thawing of snow, use a washer.
Freezing of snow to the wiper arm interferes with its normal operation. If necessary, stop the vehicle in a safe place and remove the snow.
Note. When you stop on the side of the road, do not forget to turn on the hazard warning lights.
Winter tires
Attention! When changing wheels, use only tires of the correct size (see nameplate on driver's door C-pillar).
All four winter tires must be the same size, circumference, construction, model and load index.
Using different tires can cause serious mechanical damage to the wheel drive and loss of control.
Do not install radial diagonal/diagonal belt tires on one axle of the vehicle at the same time.
When using winter tires (speed symbol Q, T or H) never exceed the maximum permitted driving speed limit (160, 190 and 210 km/h, respectively).
Anti-skid chains
Driving on snowy slopes or icy roads may require snow chains to be fitted to the wheels. Chains must be fitted to the front wheels only. To avoid damage to the vehicle body or suspension, use chains that are appropriate for your vehicle's tire size.
The speed of the vehicle equipped with chains must not exceed 30 km/h.
When driving with chains, be extremely careful - remember that excessive self-confidence is fraught with the most serious consequences. be extremely careful.
Car rocking
If rocking the vehicle is necessary to get out of the snow or mud, depress the accelerator pedal lightly and (with AT) move the selector between positions «D» And «R». Don't push the gas too hard. When driving out of snow or mud, for optimum traction, avoid wheel spin.
On very slippery road surfaces, the transmission position «2» provides better grip than the position «1» (which applies to both manual and automatic transmissions).
Operation of diesel models in winter conditions
When using a summer version of diesel fuel at temperatures below 0°C, interruptions in the operation of the engine may occur, due to an increase in the viscosity of the fuel as a result of wax release.
At low temperatures, use a special «winter» diesel fuel. Depending on the brand, winter fuel ensures uninterrupted operation at temperatures from -15°С to -22°С.
Attention! It is not allowed to use gasoline, etc. as additives to diesel fuel. thinners!
If the fuel quality is poor, the fuel filter may need to be replaced more frequently than the maintenance schedule suggests.