Winter is just around the corner, and with temperatures dropping, it is the ideal time to prepare your vehicle for the challenges of the cold season. A complete service, with particular attention to changing filters, can make the difference between a safe journey and an unpleasant surprise. Here are some useful tips to ensure that your car or work vehicle is ready for winter.
For both cars and heavy duty vehicles, it is important to:
1 – Inspect the heating system
It is best to check that the air conditioning system produces warm air and the fan works without unusual noises.
2 – Check the passenger compartment air filter
During the transition from autumn to winter, especially in rainy and humid regions, fallen leaves and insect remains can clog the passenger compartment air filter and promote bacterial growth.
To ensure the best driving comfort, the passenger compartment filter plays a crucial role. It is responsible for keeping the air inside the vehicle free of dust, pollen, allergens and the dangerous fine dust, which tends to increase on winter days. It is therefore essential to replace the filter with products with guaranteed materials, such as those from UFI Filters.
UFI provides 3 types of passenger compartment filters in its catalogue:
- UFI Filters ARGENTIUM®, the revolutionary filter media with a powerful antibacterial action and incorporated silver biocide, manufactured according to the innovative UFI.Stratiflex formula.
- It guarantees >98.5% filtering efficiency for particles with a diameter of 2.5μm and maintains its characteristics throughout its entire life cycle.
- pollen filters, retain on average more than 90% of particles larger than 2.5μm in diameter, such as pollen allergens;
- activated carbon filters, they block even the smallest particles from 0.01 to 2μm (gases, bacteria, fungi and odours), and also provide protection against bad odours.
3 – Change the oil filter
Oil is the engine’s vital fluid and a clean oil filter is essential to keeping it healthy. It is important to make sure you change the oil regularly and replace the filter each time. During the winter, UFI Filters suggests opting for a less viscous oil that can withstand low temperatures and ensure optimal lubrication even in cold weather, and to rely on parts of equivalent quality to the original. Thanks to its OE pedigree and the research and development of innovative materials, UFI provides oil filters produced with specific materials in its catalogue, such as FormulaUFI.Micron and FormulaUFI.CELL.
FormulaUFI.Micron is a synthetic fibre material with a filtering capacity of up to 4microns, which can be found in the codes 25.139.00 UFI and S 5139 PE SOFIMA for Opel/Vauxhall Corsa, Fiat Tipo and Alfa Romeo Mito applications. Or 25.093.00 UFI and S 5093 PE for Opel brand applications such as Insignia.
FormulaUFI.CELL, on the other hand, is a cellulosic material mixed with synthetic fibres, as in filter 25.083.00 UFI and S 5083 PE SOFIMA, for Fiat 500 X, Jeep Renegade and other Stellantis Group applications.
For commercial vehicles making long journeys and travelling long distances, it is also essential to intensify inspections of fluids and braking systems to ensure safe driving in winter. Here are UFI Filters’ tips for inspecting vehicles:
1 – Check the fuel filter
The filtering system of a truck consists of a pre-filter, with a water separation function, and a secondary filter, for fine filtration. It is therefore necessary to pay attention to the presence of water and impurities in the pre-filter bowl, drain it promptly and use certified products such as UFI Filters that protect the engine from impurities and separates water from fuel to prevent rust and corrosion of components. It is also important to use suitable fuels, such as arctic fuels in case you have to deal with particularly cold temperatures.
2 – Inspect the air dryer filter
Icy road surfaces in winter demand higher performance from a vehicle’s braking system. If a truck’s air dryer filter has not been replaced for an extended period, it can affect the efficiency of the brakes. In addition, it is important to regularly check the filter dryer’s drain valve to drain any accumulation of oil, or water at the bottom.
UFI dryers have desiccant material, a robust construction and efficient filtration of moisture, oil and aerosols (micron-level dirt). The desiccant material plays a crucial role in absorbing and adsorbing water vapour, ensuring that the compressed air remains dry and free of contaminants.
In addition to changing filters, there are other aspects to consider in view of winter:
- Check the coolant, make sure it is at the correct level and has the right anti-freeze concentration. This is essential to prevent the radiator from freezing, impairing engine cooling.
- Check the condition of the battery, as they tend to drain faster in winter. A reliable battery is essential to avoid winter mishaps.
- Winter tyres, or snow chains. It is important to fit winter tyres in accordance with the regulations in force in your country. These tyres are always a valuable ally in various road conditions during the cold season. However, in extreme weather conditions, in particularly snowy areas, it is best to always keep a set of snow chains on hand.
By following these tips and paying attention to service, you can make your vehicle more resistant to winter challenges. Good care of a car or commercial vehicle ensures a safer journey and can also prolong engine life, improve efficiency and fuel consumption.
