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Bosch Car Service: Winter Travel Guide

Woman scraping ice off windshield
Important Information on Checking Your Vehicle What Should You Always Have in Your Trunk? How to Get Safely Through the Winter. What Are the Advantages of Winter Tires? Be Sure to Plan out Your Travel. How to Maintain Good Visibility in Winter

Important Information on Checking Your Vehicle

No one likes getting caught in the cold. Be prepared and have your vehicle serviced before cold weather hits.

winter driving

  • Make an appointment with your local Bosch Car Service to check if your vehicle is in optimal driving condition.
  • Check the life of your battery:
    • Starting your car takes more power in cold weather.
  • Check your cooling system:
    • Check for leaks and see if your system needs to be flushed.
    • Have enough coolant in your tank and that it is able to withstand cold temperatures.
  • Fill your windshield washer fluid reservoir:
    • Make sure you fill up the reservoir before the first snow.
    • Use fluid that won't freeze.
    • Keep extra on hand in your vehicle.

What Should You Always Have in Your Trunk

The weather is changing and the temperatures are dropping; winter is coming. There are a few things you should have with you during winter travel:

Open luggage compartment

  • Ice scraper, broom and shovel
  • Sand or other abrasive material
  • Blanket
  • Cell phone charger
  • Food & Water
  • Jumper cables, flashlight, and warning devices

How to Get Safely Through the Winter

Winter weather conditions can sometimes make driving a real challenge. The following pointers can help you master even the most difficult situations:

Winter scene

  • As a general rule you should always adapt your driving style and speed to match the weather conditions.
  • Watch out for differing road conditions (wet surface, snow and ice) as these are often responsible for accidents.
  • Add distance between you and the car in front of you when driving on ice and snow, because braking distances greatly increase.
  • Press firmly and continuously if vehicle is equipped with Anti-Lock Brakes, for a vehicle without Anti-Lock breaks, pump the brakes gently.
  • Avoid powerful acceleration as well as abrupt braking and steering action.
  • Should vehicle start to skid, ease foot of the gas pedal and steer into the skid to regain control of the vehicle.

Be Sure to Plan Out Your Travel

Planning ahead helps keep you and other safe while you travel. Here are a few tips to help get you to where you're going:

Man fitting snow chains

  • Check the weather report and road conditions before heading out and allow adequate time to travel.
  • Know your route and let others know the way you are taking and estimated time of arrival.
  • Wait for conditions to improve to start driving.
  • Be sure to keep exhaust pipe clear of snow, should you get stuck in the snow.
  • Know your state's regulations on driving with snow chains or studded tires.

How to Maintain Good Visibility in Winter

Driving in winter can present car drivers with many challenges - including freezing rain, heavy snowfall and thick fog. You can rely on the following advice to guarantee good visibility even in tricky situations:

Snow-covered windshield from inside

  • Drive with your lights on even during the day.
  • Remove all the ice and snow off all of your vehicle before starting off.
  • Clean the headlamps at regular intervals.
  • Make sure wiper blades are in good condition.
  • Place covers over the windshield and rear window of your vehicle when parked to make scraping easier.
  • Keep the cleaning fluid and anti-freeze topped up in the windshield washer system

 

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Let us know if you have any questions or concerns. Please contact us at: boschservwebcust@us.bosch.com or in our Contact Us page. We look forward to hearing from you.