In winter, the car is immersed in an aggressive external environment: the suspension elements suffer from reagents, the brake system and damage to the paintwork of the body rust, the contacts of electrical equipment oxidize.
Much more dangerous in the winter is the active contamination of the cooling radiators, the air conditioning system and the heat exchangers provided by the automatic transmission designs. To keep the car in working condition during the transition of seasons, experts recommend carrying out a comprehensive diagnosis before the onset of hot weather.
For example, going to a tire shop, you should not ignore the invitation of dealers to diagnose the brake system at a special stand, as well as check the condition of air and cabin filters and electrical equipment.
Common seasonal procedures include checking the condition of the antifreeze concentration, wiper blades, drive belts, and suspension components.
Particular attention should be paid to the condition of the gaskets and rubber boots that protect the steering rack. Due to sliding on ice, collisions with irregularities hidden under the snow, and temperature changes, the anthers of the constant velocity joints (CV joints), as well as the ball joints in the suspension, are damaged by dirt.
If these protective elements are damaged, the rubbing parts will be subject to intense wear due to contamination, which, according to the abrasive principle, wipes the contact points of the part. The lubricant in these units will quickly lose its properties, and expensive suspension and transmission elements will fail.
Auto mechanics say that with the onset of spring, special attention should be paid to the condition of the cooling and air conditioning system.
If the machine has not been used in winter, it is a good idea to check all the gaskets as well as the brake system for fluid leaks.
In addition, it is necessary to charge the battery, check it and, if necessary, clean its terminals from oxides and coat with protective grease.
“One of the most common procedures after winter is flushing the radiators of the cooling system, checking the air conditioning,” Sergey Shabunin, the main buyer of the Veshnyaki Avto technical center, told socialbites.ca. — Radiators collect a lot of dirt in the winter. When the weather gets warmer, the car starts to overheat.”
Particularly severe pollution occurs in the space between the main radiator and the air conditioner heat exchanger:
The source adds that sometimes radiators need to be removed for effective flushing. In addition to antifreeze, before the start of the summer season, it is necessary to check the level of other technical fluids: engine oil, transmission and brake fluid. The resulting suspension malfunctions Shabunin recommends to eliminate as they appear.
“If the vehicle has been idling outdoors in the winter, it is also necessary to check all tire assemblies and gaskets for leaks and cracks, as well as the health of the brake cylinders,” he advises.
In addition to the brake fluid, the condition of the brake mechanisms comes to the fore in the summer months when the speeds on the roads increase and the temperature rises. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is, its ability to absorb moisture from atmospheric air, and at a high concentration of it, the probability of steam in the line increases, which leads to a decrease in the effectiveness of the brakes or their failure.
Yang Haytseer, vice president of the National Automobile Association, said procedures such as replacing brake fluid and diagnosing the air conditioning system should not be delayed until a malfunction occurs.
“Check the operation of the air conditioner, add freon, check the pipes and pressure test the system before the heat kicks in”
Heitzeer takes notes in an interview with socialbites.ca. “And given the situation, it’s worth going back to what we did when buying a new car in the nineties, namely doing a full anti-corrosion treatment. This will extend the life of the car.”
Residents of large cities should pay special attention to the condition of the suspension elements, including silent blocks, during a thorough inspection of the car on the streets, where in winter aggressive anti-icing agents are actively used and have a bad effect on it. The condition of these parts, the expert concluded.
Source: Gazeta
