Carvendo

Winter is around the corner again, which means cold, snow, ice and short, dark days. At Carvendo, we know how important it is that your car is well prepared for these conditions. A well-prepared car not only drives more reliably, but also a lot safer. Fortunately, you can already do a lot to get your car ready for winter, so you can hit the road carefree, no matter the weather.

Start with the basics: your tires. Always check the tread depth and tension. Winter tires or all-season tires with the snowflake symbol provide better grip at temperatures below 7°C and make driving in snow or ice considerably safer.

Next, the fluids are crucial. Make sure engine oil, coolant, windshield wiper fluid and brake fluid are in order. Choose antifreeze liquids where necessary and make sure everything is sufficiently filled. Don't forget the battery either: the cold takes a lot out of your battery, especially with older cars. A pre-check can prevent unexpected breakdowns.

In addition, clean windows, mirrors and lights provide better visibility. Check all lights and replace them where necessary. Good windshield wipers and sufficient anti-freeze spray fluid are crucial in case of snow and rain. Finally, don't forget a safety set: a warning triangle, warm blanket, shovel, jack, tow rope and possibly snow chains are essential, especially when you go to mountainous areas.

Getting your car ready for winter yourself may seem like a small effort, but it prevents many problems along the way. From checking your tires in time to refilling antifreeze, these simple actions ensure that your car remains reliable and safe, even in the harshest winter conditions.

More about winter tires ->

Winterizing the Engine & Battery

At Carvendo, we believe it's important that your car not only gets through the winter safely, but also that your engine and battery stay in top condition. A well-maintained engine prevents problems caused by condensation, wear or contamination, especially in cold conditions and short trips.

First of all, the engine oil and fluids: it is essential that they are fresh or reasonably fresh. Old oil can cause condensation and wear, especially at low temperatures. Manufacturers such as Liqui Moly offer high-quality lubricants and special additives, such as injector cleaners. For modern gasoline engines with direct injection, with or without a turbo, it is wise to add an injector cleaner twice a year. This keeps the injectors clean and the engine functions optimally.

Do you often drive short distances in the winter? Then your engine will never reach full operating temperature. In that case, Carvendo recommends changing the oil twice a year. For engines that pollute quickly, for example due to slow driving or less pure fuel, we recommend E5 fuel. A little more expensive, but your engine runs cleaner and more economical. If your engine is already contaminated, consider professional cleaning via carbon cleaning, engine flushing or a special cleaning fluid when changing oil. This removes carbon and sludge deposits, improves performance and can prevent costly repairs.

Electronics and plugs also deserve attention. Injecting contact points with a protective electrospray prevents malfunctions in older cars during cold days.

The battery is another crucial component in the winter. Check the condition and voltage, and consider a slightly heavier battery for certain vehicles for extra reliability. For modern cars with lots of electronics, a CTEK battery charger is recommended. It keeps the battery in top condition, even when the car is stationary for a long time.

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Driving in the Freezing Cold with a Combustion Engine

In the winter, it can be tempting: you get in your car, turn it on and accelerate immediately while you switch on all heaters, seat and steering heaters, rear window and mirror heating right away. Although it feels logical to warm up quickly, this is certainly not recommended for your car.

First of all, about starting a cold engine: let the engine do not run at idle for a long time in front of the door. The engine oil is thick at low temperatures and is mostly in the oil pan. As a result, the engine is not sufficiently lubricated during a prolonged idle start, and you consume fuel without the engine heating up efficiently. Start the car, let it run at low revs while you drive off slowly. For example, the oil heats up quickly and the entire engine is lubricated while the powertrain is loaded in a controlled manner.

Switching on all power consumers immediately is also not recommended, especially for short trips. Modern cars only charge the battery after a few kilometers, partly due to strict environmental requirements. By using a lot of power right away, you can quickly drain the battery, which puts the battery's starting and charging capacity under heavy load.

Therefore, always leave calmly. Warm up the engine and fluids by accelerating gradually and not placing heavy loads on the engine; this can take 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the weather. You'll notice that a manual transmission shifts more smoothly once the powertrain is up to temperature. Avoid high revs and full load on a cold engine: drive slowly, possibly up a gear, and let everything warm up gradually.

By following this policy, you will protect the engine, transmission and battery, and enjoy a reliable and healthy car in the long term. Driving safely and responsibly in the freezing cold starts with patience and the right attention to your vehicle.

Paint protection for your car in the winter

Winter is a challenging time for the paint of your car. Cold temperatures, moisture, road salt, sand and mud can, in combination, cause corrosion and wear. Fortunately, you can do a lot yourself to keep your car beautiful and protected, and Carvendo gives you a complete overview of the best approach here.

1. Start with a thorough cleaning

A clean car is the first step in paint protection. Dirt and moisture, especially in the wheel arches, otherwise stay longer and can cause rust. Don't forget to also clean the windows, mirrors and the inside of the car: clean windows don't fog up as quickly and the performance of your windshield wipers improves considerably. Products like Glaco help keep windows clean and water resistant.

2. Wax and Wetcoat for extra protection

After washing, you can apply a wax, such as Stipt's Wax Shield. This makes dirt stick less easily and keeps your car clean for much longer. Another option is a Wetcoat, for example by GYEON. You apply the Wetcoat to a wet car and then dry it off. This creates a durable protective layer that repels dirt, road salt and water, ideal for the winter months.

3. Glass coating for long-term protection

Glass coating offers a deeper shine and extra protection against UV radiation, dirt, bird droppings and chemicals. Thanks to the hydrophobic effect, water rolls off the paint better and the car is easier to keep clean. Glass coating is harder and more durable than traditional wax and keeps your car looking like new for longer.

4. PPF foil for ultimate protection

Paint Protection Film (PPF) is a thin, transparent polyurethane film that is applied to the paint. This foil protects against stone chips, scratches, bird droppings and other chemical contaminants. Minor scratches repair themselves through heat, so that your paint always stays in top condition. Applying PPF is specialist work and requires professional craftsmanship for perfect results.

5. Extra tips

Don't forget to occasionally spray brake lines with, for example, amber tectyl to prevent corrosion.
Regular cleaning and protecting the paint prevents a lot of work during cold, dark days.

With these steps, you can help your car get through the winter without worrying about rust or damage, keeping it in beautiful condition for years to come.

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Conclusion: How To Winterize Your Car

At Carvendo, we know that a well-prepared car makes the difference in safety, reliability and driving comfort during the winter months. Being ready for winter means more than just winter tires; it's about the total maintenance and protection of your car.

Key points for a winter-ready car:

Tyres: Check profile depth and tension. For optimal grip at low temperatures, consider winter tires or all-season tires with the 3PMSF symbol.
Fluids: Make sure engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and windshield washer fluid are in order. Antifreeze is essential at low temperatures. Add injector cleaner to petrol engines to prevent contamination.
Battery: Check the condition and voltage of the battery. Modern batteries stay in best condition with a CTEK charger when the car is stationary for a long time.
Lights and windows: Clean windows and lights provide better visibility and safety. Windshield wipers and anti-freeze fluid are crucial in the event of snow and rain.
Driving in cold conditions: Start the engine slowly, let fluids and oil warm up, avoid giving full throttle immediately, and use power consumers such as seat heating wisely.
Paint protection: Keep the car clean, use wax, wetcoat, glass coating or PPF foil to protect paint and paint finishes from salt, mud and moisture.
Safety set: Warning triangle, warm blanket, shovel, jack, tow rope and possibly snow chains for mountainous rides.

Extra tip: For modern cars with a lot of electronics, it is wise not to use electrical consumers all at the same time when the engine is cold. This protects the battery and ensures that everything continues to function reliably.

With these preparations, you can get through the winter safely and relaxed. Get advice from the Carvendo car expert to determine what your car needs for optimal winter use. This way, you are assured of a reliable, safe and well-maintained car, ready for any trip in cold, snowy or icy weather.

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