Mechanics emphasize the importance of car checks in winter, beyond tires and wiper fluid
While drivers often remember to equip their vehicles with winter tires and essential accessories, they frequently overlook the overall condition of their cars. As mechanics stress, it's crucial to check areas that directly affect the performance of winter tires.
7:32 PM EST, November 26, 2023
"Everyone understands that winter tires are key to ensuring safety, as they're the direct connection between the vehicle and the road," states Adam Lehnort, expert at the ProfiAuto network. "However, no driver can fully control a faulty car. The suspension, steering, and braking systems take on increased importance in winter conditions," Lehnort elaborates.
The driving system is especially crucial in winter, when optimising tire adhesion is paramount. Even the best tires don't guarantee full adhesion if the shock absorbers are not up to par.
"Understanding the role of the shock absorber in a car makes it easy to see what is lost when using high-class winter tires without sufficient road adhesion from a faulty shock absorber," explains Adam Lehnort of ProfiAuto. "The shock absorber's role is to press the tire to the road, so checking its efficiency before winter is a must. Especially when changing tires. A worn shock absorber, even on just one wheel, can cause uneven tire wear or damage," adds Lehnort.
Shock absorbers also significantly affect the braking distance, which is vitally important in winter. Worn shock absorbers negatively impact brake performance. If they're not working properly, the ABS system is activated more frequently, reducing pressure in the system and braking force which in turn extends the stopping time. The ABS system cannot function optimally if the tires do not maintain strong contact with the road, and this contact is ensured by functional shock absorbers.
"While checking shock absorbers, it's also wise to examine the entire suspension and steering system for loose parts. These can occur on arms, rods or links. Any looseness in the suspension results in reduced steering precision, which is crucial on wet surfaces," advises the ProfiAuto expert.
