Winter maintenance is necessary to make sure your motor vehicles are ready for winter and that you don’t find yourself stuck on the side of the road. Cold temperatures cause friction during motor function, which can lead to problems. With the right winter maintenance, replacement of worn out parts and the necessary repairs, you can be sure of a problem-free winter. With a broad network, and able to serve all makes and models from top to bottom, Bosch Car Service provides complete winterization service throughout Turkey. Checking your car’s parts one by one, they make sure your car is ready for winter.

To avoid stalls, glow plugs in diesel vehicles should be checked
Failure of diesel glow plugs is a possible malfunction that can leave a driver in a tough spot on cold winter days. For this reason, you should make absolutely sure to have them checked at the beginning of winter. Glow plugs are the component that allows diesel engines to operate well in cold temperatures. Diesel motors work on the principle of high-pressure injection of fuel into heated and compressed air. However at low temperatures and when the motor is cold, the fuel either fails to burn or burns incompletely. This is where the glow plugs come into play. In order for the engine to function, the glow plugs heat to 850° C. This preheating continues throughout the starting process. Modern glow plugs continue to function for a time after the engine is started; this reduces the amount of harmful substances in the exhaust and allows smooth engine function in low gears.

Battery/starter systems can be strained in winter conditions
Your car’s battery and starter are its energy system. Because their function can be adversely affected in harsh weather, you should have them checked at the onset of winter.
Internal combustion engines, whether gas or diesel, need help to get started. A certain amount of momentum is necessary to overcome the friction that impedes engine function and allow the engine to attain the necessary torque. The starter motor is what gives the engine this first boost. Fed by the battery, it works on the electromagnetic principle to convert electric energy into mechanical energy, thus providing the first movement through the starter gear to the engine’s flywheel. For this reason, it is vitally important to have the starter system checked during the winter to ensure that it functions with no problems.

In addition, the starter, firing system, fuel injection system, electrical control unit, lighting system and various electronic safety and comfort components need a consistent and dependable energy source. As the battery is the only source of energy when the engine is off, the alternator becomes an “electrical plant” when the engine is running. Converting mechanical energy into electrical energy, the alternator is a generator that provides an alternative current to meet these energy needs.

New wipers in the fall for comfortable and safe driving
Most car owners tend to keep using worn out windshield wipers, usually until they start making noise. But during the summer, wipers are adversely affected by a number of factors which decrease their wiping capacity, including excessive heat, ozone, UV rays and exhaust gases. Worn wipers prevent the rubber wiper edge from making firm contact with the windshield. Unwiped areas of the windshield, in addition to reducing visibility, can also lead to scratching.

In addition, while driving at night the layer of water left behind by poorly functioning windshield wipers can refract the headlights of oncoming vehicles, decreasing visibility and putting your life in danger. For this reason, for both comfortable and safe driving, windshield wipers should be changed at the beginning of the rainy fall and winter months.

Filter check for a healthier, more comfortable winter
We tend not to pay enough attention to our filters. Many car owners try to save money by not changing their filters as often as recommended. However by doing this they can cause much more expensive damage – both to sensitive engine parts as well their own and their passengers’ health.

Oil, gas and air filters shield your car’s engine and fuel injection system from harmful substances. Without good protection, these particles lead to wear and decreased engine performance, and increased fuel consumption.

Cabin filters protect the driver and passengers from pollen and dirt in the air. Within the cabin, such substances rise to six times their density outside the vehicle, which can cause driver fatigue and loss of concentration. Activated carbon filters provide twice the protection of standard cabin filters and prevent certain harmful gases from entering the cabin.

Having all filters checked in the fall and changed if necessary will mean a safer and healthier winter for both you and your car.

The battery shoulders a heavy load in winter
Cold weather conditions have a significant effect on the battery. While the engine is running, the battery stores the energy produced by the alternator. This energy is particularly necessary for starting the engine. Every battery works at lower capacity in cold weather. In addition, because electrical components such as heating elements and headlights are used more during the winter, the battery carries a heavier load. To prevent problems starting your car on some cold winter days, it is a good idea to have a general battery and starter check done in the fall.  In addition to a system check, other measures you can take to prevent a pleasant trip from turning into a nightmare are checks of battery acid concentration, charge strength and battery terminals.