How to use your car properly in winter

What is the appropriate temperature for air conditioning?

Many drivers wonder, in the winter when it is very cold, what temperature should the car be set to, should it be heated or cooled? According to health experts, the temperature should be set to a temperature that the body feels comfortable, meaning it does not need to be warmer than outside, just not feeling cold.

Like winter in Northern Vietnam, the suitable temperature range is about 20-26 degrees. Before getting out of the car, you should turn off the air conditioner or reduce the temperature to help your body adapt, avoiding heat shock when going out, especially for children and the elderly.

Winter is always accompanied by fog, especially in the high mountains. The tiny water droplets form a mirror reflecting light, causing the headlights to shine directly into the driver's eyes.

According to health experts, the air conditioner should be set at a temperature that the body feels comfortable at.

Which lights to turn on in fog?

When driving in foggy conditions, drivers must turn on their headlights in low beam mode (C) and not high beam mode (A). If high beam mode is turned on, the driver will have to face the reflective light strip in figure B, on the contrary, if low beam mode is turned on, the reflective light strip is in figure D.

If the car has fog lights, turn on the fog lights. It is necessary to turn on the hazard lights so that the cars in front and behind can easily see.

If the car does not have fog lights, the driver should buy yellow tape or paper to stick on the outside of the headlights to convert white light into yellow light. Yellow light has a short wavelength so it can diffuse far.

How to make windshield not fog up?

When driving in winter, the low temperature on the windshield causes the water vapor inside the car to condense on the inside of the windshield, causing fogging. The principle for the windshield to stop fogging is to release this water, which will be solved simply when using the air conditioner, ie AC ON.

When driving in winter, low temperatures on the windshield cause the water vapor inside the car to condense on the inside of the windshield, causing fogging.

Many drivers argue about whether using hot or cold air conditioning will prevent the car from fogging up in the winter, but in fact, hot or cold is fine. As soon as you get into the car, the fastest way to get rid of fogging up the windshield is to turn on the windshield heater or, if there is no windshield heater, turn on the air conditioning, set it to high and choose the mode that blows the wind onto the windshield.

After about a few dozen seconds to a minute, the glass will be completely dry. Then adjust the wind direction to the cabin, not blowing on the glass anymore. At this point, turn on the air conditioner hot or cold so that the people in the truck feel comfortable, the glass will not be foggy anymore.

Should I change my oil at the beginning of winter?

If your car has just had an oil change recently, there is no need to change it, but if it has been a long time since the oil change, you should check the quality of the engine oil and change it even if it is not yet time. The low temperature in winter can make fluids such as engine oil thicker, affecting the ability to start the engine. Therefore, it is best to change the oil at the beginning of the season for the best quality.

In addition to engine oil, drivers should also check coolant, windshield washer fluid... and other fluids in the vehicle.

How to inflate tires in winter?

The safety principle is to inflate the tire lightly in summer and properly in winter. For example, a tire that requires 2.2 kg/cm2 should only be inflated to 2 kg/cm2 in summer and to the correct 2.2 kg/cm2 in winter. The tire surface can shrink in winter, so if the tire is not inflated enough, it will crack when the temperature warms up again.

The safety principle is to pump low in summer and pump correctly in winter.

Should I idle for a while before setting off?

With today's cars, it is not necessary because with the quality of current engine oil as well as the modern electronic fuel injection system, the car can start immediately and warm up after starting the engine. After the engine revs for a while, start it, wait about 10-20 seconds for the engine speed to stabilize and then you can roll.

With older cars, idling for a while is necessary. However, it doesn’t have to be too long, about 30 seconds is enough. Some people wait a minute or more, which just wastes more gas and is ineffective.