Einhell expert: Tips for getting your car ready for winter
In late October we set our clocks back to winter time. The most important tasks involved in preparing your car for winter should be completed by that time. “It is advisable to winter-proof your car promptly in autumn before the cold temperatures and bad weather set in,” says Patrick Pflegler, Product Expert at Einhell Germany AG, a leading supplier of cordless tools and garden equipment.
By preparing your vehicle for the challenges of winter in a timely fashion, you avoid unnecessary stress and potential problems. Frosty nights and colder daytime temperatures can be found even in October in many regions. In addition to optimal vehicle performance and value preservation, prompt winter readiness is recommended especially in terms of safety issues. “The first step is to identify possible flaws,” says Einhell expert Patrick Pflegler. “With an early inspection, problems like a weak battery, worn windshield wipers or insufficient antifreeze can be detected and corrected in good time.”
Tire change and inspection
Road conditions change when the temperatures drop: Slippery surfaces caused by hoarfrost or early snowfall can affect how your car handles. Therefore, it is important to change to winter tires and prepare for icy conditions promptly. Moreover, winter tires offer better grip at any temperature under seven degrees Celsius. “The powerful Einhell IMPAXXO 18/400 cordless impact driver is a must-have in any workshop. Instead of devoting large amounts of time and energy to changing tires in autumn and spring, this cordless helper makes light work of loosening wheel nuts,” says Einhell expert Patrick Pflegler. Of course, the tire pressure of the winter tires in storage must also be checked and adjusted. The Einhell PRESSITO 18/25 cordless compressor comes in very handy for this task. It can even be used to check and adjust tire pressure out on the road in an emergency.
Interior and exterior cleaning
And if you want to treat your vehicle to a thorough autumn cleaning, you will find two tools in the Einhell product range for this: “The Einhell TE-VC 18/10 Li cordless wet & dry vac removes dust, dirt and even liquids without any cords. With its 2-in-1 upholstery/universal nozzle and 90 mbar of suction power, it is also ideal for getting rid of animal hair quickly and conveniently. And the Einhell TE-HV 18/06 Li cordless handheld vacuum cleaner is always ready to hand for clearing up dirt and annoying crumbs on and under car seats,” says Patrick Pflegler. Another task that is almost more important to get done before winter sets in is waxing and polishing the car in order to protect the finish from the harsh conditions of the cold season. Salt and road grit in particular can attack the finish and lead to corrosion. Moisture in the form of snow, rain and ice can also get into little scratches and flaws in the finish, prompting the formation of rust. A layer of wax acts as a barrier and protects the paint surface. “The Einhell CE-CP 18/180 Li E cordless polishing machine makes it easy to get your car ready for winter and make it shine like new in no time,” adds Einhell expert Patrick Pflegler. For work in the increasingly early twilight and as a back-up in an emergency, he recommends the powerful Einhell TE-CL 18/2000 LiAC cordless LED lamp.
The car battery is empty: What should you do?
The decreasing temperatures have a negative impact on car battery performance. In this case, there are two options to make weak batteries ready for travel again: a battery charger or a jump starter. Einhell has both in its product range. “Einhell car battery chargers are suitable for many standard battery types and equipped with various charge voltages,” says Einhell expert Patrick Pflegler. “This means you can easily charge your car battery without further ado and be up and running in next to no time. With the Einhell CE-BC 15 M and CE-BC 30 M battery chargers with a jump-start function, in particular, there is nothing keeping you from getting back on the road.” In addition, the Einhell CE-BC 2 M is a smart battery charger specially developed for modern batteries. It is suitable for all standard vehicle batteries, including gel, AGM, maintenance-free and low-maintenance lead-acid batteries. Jump starters, on the other hand, are jump-start power banks used mainly for jump-starting the engine when you are on the road. They must be charged with power from the socket in advance and can then be used as batteries themselves, just like an ordinary power bank, but with a lot of power. The Einhell CE-JS 18/1 jump start power bank even delivers enough power to restart vehicles with a gasoline engine of up to 8000 cm³ displacement, with no need for a second vehicle.
Other important things to check
To ensure a smooth start to winter, however, drivers can also perform some important additional checks. For one thing, the windshield should be thoroughly cleaned inside and out in order to avoid the glare from the low autumn sun. For another, now is also the time to inspect wiper blades and replace them as necessary. “All lights, such as headlights, taillights, turn signals and brake lights, should also be checked to ensure that they are in perfect working order during the cold, dark months,” adds Patrick Pflegler. And, of course, the emergency equipment needs to be checked: Things like safety vests, blankets and ice scrapers should be kept in the trunk along with a jump starter, just in case. “If all these precautionary measures are taken, the vehicle will be perfectly equipped for autumn,” says the Einhell expert.
Über die Einhell Germany AG
Einhell ist führender Hersteller hochmoderner Werkzeuge rund um Haus und Garten und feiert im Jahr 2024 sein 60-jähriges Jubiläum. Durch den stetigen Ausbau seiner innovativen Akku-Plattform Power X-Change ist das international erfolgreiche Unternehmen mit Sitz in Landau/Isar (Bayern) Vorreiter im Bereich akkubetriebener Werkzeuge und Gartengeräte. Seit Jahren setzt Einhell mit seinen Produkten Standards in puncto Ausdauer, Leistungsstärke und Sicherheit. Die Einhell Kunden schätzen zudem die kabellose Freiheit bei allen Do-It-Yourself-Projekten, das attraktive Preis-Leistungs-Verhältnis und den erstklassigen Kundenservice.