With the arrival of autumn, you can feel that the weather is getting colder, rains are happening more often and the sun is getting less and less up. These all affect driving conditions, so we need to pay much more attention in the car to avoid dangerous situations. As a fleet manager, we feel it is our responsibility to keep our leasing partners safe, so below we have summarized the most important things we think are definitely worth doing before the icy, cold weather.
Seasonal tire change
The first and most important thing is to change summer tires. In Hungary, we are not obliged by law to change the tires according to the season, but we consider it necessary for our safety. Even in the cold winter, it is important for the tire to remain soft and flexible, which is why it is important to replace it, as one of the characteristics of summer tires is that they start to harden as early as 7 ° C.
One of the basic parts of the car rental contract is the seasonal tire change, so in our case the rental price also includes the associated costs. Contact our colleagues about the process and more details.
+ Tip: In addition to seasonal tire changes, it is advisable to check the tire pressure (ideally 2.5 bar) and the tread depth (minimum 4 mm) from time to time.
Windshield washer fluid
In frosty weather, we can also have a problem with windshield washer fluid if we don’t use the right one. It is advisable to use antifreeze, as summer fluid has a low frost tolerance, so there is a risk that the freezing fluid will rupture the tank and pump.
+ Tip: In addition to the fluid, it is a good idea to take the time to inspect the wiper blades, as worn or broken blades can scratch the surface of the windshield. It is also important to remove ice frozen on the windscreen not with the windscreen wiper but with the window heater / de-icer, as the blades can still damage the window surface.
Other important things to do
In autumn / winter traffic, the weather is more extreme (rainfall is more frequent) and visibility conditions deteriorate (the sun shines less, you often have to drive in the dark, and foggy weather often occurs). So for our safety, there are a few more parts worth checking out in the car.
- It is very important that the headlights work well, as with the deterioration of vision conditions, it is important not only to illuminate the road ahead of us, but also for other cars to see us.
- As mentioned earlier, due to the weather conditions, the roads can be slippery and wetter in winter, which is why it is definitely worth checking the brake pads, brake discs and brake drums.
- Also, there may be a case where the car does not start in the extreme cold, which is due to the discharged battery. Therefore, it may be worth checking its condition in advance.
+ Tip: It is recommended to purchase a special de-icing spray as well as an ice scraper to make it easier to cope with ice frozen on the windows and windshield.
Winter driving tips
Even experienced drivers can sometimes be challenged to drive in autumn / winter weather conditions.
- In poorer visibility conditions, it is easier to avoid the dangers that may arise, so it is worth driving slower on the roads.
- In the rain, it is advisable to drive on the inside of the road (in the case of several lanes in the inner lane), as water usually collects on the side / outer lane of the road, which can be very dangerous and can even lead to hydroplaning.
- You should avoid using the cruise control in foggy, slippery situations. Because in this case, the driver’s attention may wane, they has less control over the car. Also, the system does not recognize road errors, weather conditions, which can be dangerous at fast speeds.
With the tips mentioned above, we hope to contribute to safer driving. If you want to rent a car from us or you have any questions / comments about our long-term rental cars, please write to our colleagues at flottakezeles@budget.hu .