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Winter vehicle maintenance and safety guidance

Updated 4 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-10-25 05:17 UTC → 2026-10-26 05:55 UTC · added ~~removed~~

As winter weather approaches, safety and maintenance guidance for vehicles and travelers has been emphasized. Initial advice focused on driver and pedestrian preparedness, including vehicle inspections for battery, tires, coolant, and brakes, as well as carrying emergency kits. Automotive experts in Turkey have issued specific warnings regarding the financial impact of winter neglect. Maintenance managers, such as Ziya Çorumlu, recommend a 20-point inspection covering battery health, antifreeze freezing points, engine oil, and electrical systems. Experts warn that neglecting these checks can cause repair costs to escalate from small amounts to as much as 200,000 lira. In Batman, mechanic Cihat Uğur cautioned that low-quality antifreeze can lead to frozen engine water and cracked engine blocks, while mechanic Çağatay Kılıç in Kırşehir noted that routine maintenance costs can start from 10,000 TL. In Germany, guidance has shifted toward specific seasonal requirements, such as the ‘O-to-O rule’, which suggests using winter tires from October to Easter to manage conditions like black ice or slush. To mitigate the risk of battery failure in extreme cold, the use of portable jump starter power banks has been highlighted. Recent recommendations from organizations like the ADAC emphasize that while the legal minimum tire tread depth is 1.6 mm, experts suggest at least 4 mm to prevent traction loss. Drivers are also advised to monitor tire pressure, which decreases in cold weather, and inspect tires older than five to six years. Additionally, ensuring first-aid kits meet legal standards, such as DIN 13164:2022, is recommended. In Hungary, while winter tires are not mandatory, experts recommend switching to them once dawn temperatures consistently fall below 5 degrees Celsius. Specialists have also warned against a viral social media trend using baking soda to clean windshields, noting it could damage the glass.

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