Dzomeŋɔli ʋu ƒe dɔwɔnu kple ʋu ƒe dodokpɔ do ŋgɔ na dzomeŋɔli: dzra ɖo kaba¶
Dzomeŋɔli ƒe gbagbã kple afɔku akpa gãtɔ tsoa nusi tea ɖeɖi ame ŋu: taya (taya) si vuvu akpa, batri si xɔ ƒe ɖeka akpa, tsi si wotsɔ klɔa nu si xɔ dzo, alo tsigoe si tsi ƒuƒlu kloe esime ahom la va. Gaƒoƒo ɖeka ƒe ʋuʋu le adame nye nugblẽfexeɖoɖo si mexɔ asi o. Mɔfiame sia naa nèléa ŋku ɖe ʋua me do ŋgɔ na dzomeŋɔli, eɖea dzomeŋɔli ƒe tayawo kple afɔtiwo ƒe goglome me le dukɔ geɖe me, eye wòŋlɔa nusiwo nàtsɔ ɖe ʋua me ale be ŋkeke gbegblẽ nanɔ ŋkeke gbegblẽ ke menye nudzɔdzɔ kpata o.
Gbeɖiɖi si le afisiae nye dzadzraɖo, ke menye ɣlidodo o. Mehiã be nàƒle nusianu si le xexlẽdzesiawo me o. Dze egɔme kple nusiwo sɔ kple wò yame ƒe nɔnɔme, wò mɔzɔzɔ, kple ame agbɔsɔsɔme si nètsɔ, emegbe nàtsɔ nuwo akpe ɖe eŋu le ɣeyiɣi aɖe megbe. Ne èle teƒe aɖe si vuvɔŋɔli fafɛ le la, àte ŋu aɖe edzi akpɔtɔ, eye ne èku ʋu le kɔƒenutowo me alo tonyigbawo dzi la, nàdzii ɖe edzi.
Wɔ esia fifia¶
- Kpɔ wò tayawo ɖa: afɔti ƒe goglome, woƒe nyaƒoɖeamenu, kple woƒe nɔnɔme. De dzomeŋɔli tayawo ne èle afisi sno kple tsikpe bɔ ɖo edziedzi, eye nàsrɔ̃ nusi se gblɔ le afisi nèkua ʋu le.
- Na woado batri la kpɔ, elabena eyae nye nusi gbɔ dzomeŋɔli tsona wu be womedze egɔme o. Tsɔe ɖɔ li ne egbɔdzɔ alo tsi wu abe ƒe ene ene.
- Fill the washer reservoir with winter washer fluid rated for your lowest expected temperature, and check wiper blades and lights.
- Check coolant (antifreeze) strength, oil level, and brake condition, or book a service that covers them.
- Dzra dzomeŋɔli ƒe nuzazã si me dzoxɔxɔ, kekeli, hehe, nuɖuɖu, tsi, kple telefon ƒe ŋusẽdzraɖoƒe ɖo ɖe agba me, eye nàna wòanɔ ʋua me, ke menye be woaɖii ɖe ʋua ƒe akpata (afɔkpa) me o.
- Na wòazu numame na wò be nàna amiɖaka la nayɔ afã ya teti tso adame vaseɖe kele me, eye nàdzra wò mɔdodo ƒe kpekpeɖeŋuna xexlẽdzesi ɖo ɖe wò telefon kple pepa dzi.
The pre-winter vehicle check¶
Do this in daylight on a dry day, ideally with the car on level ground. It takes about an hour, and a garage can do all of it if you prefer. Write down the dates and results so you notice patterns over the years.
Tyres¶
Tyres are the only part of the car that touches the road, and cold changes how they perform. Rubber hardens below about 7 degrees Celsius (45 degrees Fahrenheit) in summer and many all season compounds, and grip falls. Winter tyres use softer rubber and deeper, sipe cut tread that stays flexible and bites into snow and ice.
Di:
- Afɔdzideƒe ƒe goglome: tsɔ afɔti ƒe goglomedzidzenu, alo gaku dodokpɔ si wozãna le miaƒe dukɔa me lé ŋku ɖe taya ɖesiaɖe ŋu, si me taya si susɔ hã le.
- Nyaƒoɖeamenu: ya fafɛ nana taya ƒe nyaƒoɖeamenu dzi ɖena kpɔtɔna, anɔ abe 1 psi (kilopascal 7) ene le Celsius dzidzenu 5 va ɖo 6 (Fahrenheit dzidzenu 10) ɖesiaɖe si ɖiɖina me. Lé ŋku ɖe nyaƒoɖeamenu ŋu ɣleti sia ɣleti ne tayawo fa, eye nàzã xexlẽdzesi si le agbalẽvi si le ʋɔtrua ƒe akpata me, ke menye xexlẽdzesi si le tayaa ƒe axadzi o.
- Gbagbã, ʋuʋudedi, ɖa, taya ƒe vuvu si mesɔ o, kple tayawo xɔ wu ƒe ade va ɖo ewo, elabena rababa tsina ne afɔti la dze nyuie gɔ̃ hã. Ɣletiŋkeke ƒe dzesi si nye xexlẽdzesi ene si le axadzigli la na kwasiɖa kple ƒe si me wowɔe.
- Wheel nuts or bolts: make sure all are present and tight to the maker's specification.
- The spare: check it is inflated and that you have the jack, wrench, and any locking wheel nut key. See spare tire winch cable rusted for a common spare tyre problem.
Winter tyres versus all season tyres¶
| Tyre type | Strengths | Weaknesses | Enyo wu na |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter (snow) tyres | Best grip on snow, ice, and cold wet roads; stay soft in the cold | Wear faster in warm weather; must be swapped or stored | Regular snow and ice, hills, rural roads, temperatures below 7 degrees Celsius (45 degrees Fahrenheit) |
| All season tyres | Convenient, no swapping, decent in mild winters | Weaker than winter tyres on ice and in deep snow | Mild climates with occasional light snow |
| All weather tyres (with the snowflake symbol) | Combine year round use with approved winter performance | Usually a compromise in extreme cold and heavy snow | Moderate winters, drivers who cannot swap |
| Summer tyres | Best grip on warm dry and wet roads | Hard and unsafe in cold, snow, and ice | Warm weather only; swap before temperatures drop |
| Chains or snow socks | Asiléle sesẽ le sno si me goglo kple mɔ siwo dzi ʋuʋudedi le dzi | Seɖoƒe li na duƒuƒu, aɖaŋu si woatsɔ asɔ kple wo nɔewo hiã, nusiwo gblẽ le mɔ ƒuƒlu dzi | Todzimɔwo, nɔnɔme kpatawo, se ƒe nudidiwo |
Di to etɔ̃ ƒe ta sno ƒe dzesi (3PMSF) si le axadzigli la dzi. Eɖee fia be tayaa to sno ƒe hehe dodokpɔ si dzi woda asi ɖo me. "M+S" (anyigba kple sno) ƒe dzesi xoxoa nye nya si gbɔdzɔ wu eye menye dɔwɔwɔ dodokpɔ le teƒe geɖe o.
Afɔ afɔ goglome le dukɔ ɖesiaɖe me¶
Se siwo ku ɖe afɔti ƒe goglome ŋu to vovo, eye se suetɔ kekeake siwo le se nu la le sue ne wotsɔe sɔ kple esiwo le dedie le sno me. Taya si woɖo le se nu ate ŋu anye afɔku le mɔ si dzi tsi le alo sno dzadza dzi. Xexlẽdzesi siwo le ete la nye esiwo bɔ. Kpɔ se si li fifia le afisi nèkua ʋu le la ɖa.
| Nuto | Se ƒe suetɔ kekeake (dzomeŋɔli alo ɣeyiɣi bliboa katã) . | Dzomeŋɔli tayawo ƒe mɔfiame |
|---|---|---|
| United States ƒe nyawo | 2/32 inch (1.6 milimeta) le nuto akpa gãtɔ me | Dedienɔnɔ ƒe ƒuƒoƒowo do susua ɖa be woaɖɔlii le inch 4/32 (milimeta 3.2) me hena dzomeŋɔli kple tsi zazã; dziɖuɖua ƒe dzomeŋɔli tayawo ŋuti se aɖeke meli o |
| Canada | Eto vovo le nuto ɖesiaɖe me, zi geɖe la, eƒe didime nye milimeta 1.6 (inch 2/32) . | Wobiaa dzomeŋɔli tayawo le Quebec tso December 1 vaseɖe March 15, eye le todzimɔ gã aɖewo dzi le ɣeyiɣi aɖewo me; sno ƒe dzesi lae nye dzidzenua; nuto geɖe kafui be woatsɔ milimeta 4 (inch 5/32) alo esi wu nenema |
| United Kingdom | milimeta 1.6 le afɔti la ƒe titina ƒe akpa etɔ̃ le ene me | Dzomeŋɔli tayawo ŋuti se aɖeke meli o; AA kple ame bubuwo kafui be woaɖɔlii le milimeta 3 me |
| Europa Dukɔwo ƒe Ðekawɔha (amegã) . | 1.6 milimeta le dukɔ akpa gãtɔ me | Dukɔ geɖe hiãa dzomeŋɔli tayawo alo kɔsɔkɔsɔwo le dzomeŋɔli ƒe nɔnɔmewo alo le ŋkeke siwo woɖo ɖi nu, eye zi geɖe la, milimeta 3 va ɖo 4 ya teti nɔa wo ŋu na dzomeŋɔli tayawo; lé ŋku ɖe dukɔ ɖesiaɖe ŋu |
| Germany | milimeta 1.6 ƒe didime | Wobiaa dzomeŋɔli tayawo le dzomeŋɔli, eye milimeta 4 ye nye esi wokafu be wòanye esi mede nenema o |
| Scandinavia, Finland, Baltik-dukɔwo | Zi geɖe la, eƒe didime nye milimeta 1.6 va ɖo 3 | Dzomeŋɔli taya siwo hiã le dzomeŋɔli, eye woɖea mɔ ɖe taya siwo ŋu wotsɔa nu ƒoa nui ŋu le teƒe aɖewo |
| Australia kple New Zealand | 1.5 va ɖo 1.6 milimeta | Dzomeŋɔli tayawo mebɔ o; sno ƒe kɔsɔkɔsɔwo hiã le togbɛwo dzi mɔ aɖewo dzi |
Ne èɖoe be yeatso liƒo alo azɔ mɔ le towo dzi le dzomeŋɔli la, ke lé ŋku ɖe nuto ɖesiaɖe ƒe sewo ŋu. Woate ŋu ado fe kple gbegbe be womage ɖe togbɛwo dzi o, eye nugblẽfexeɖoɖowo ate ŋu akpɔ ŋusẽ ɖe edzi ne taya siwo mesɔ o nɔ ʋu kum.
Tip
Afɔdzideƒe ƒe dodokpɔ bɔbɔe aɖe le United States zãa gaku: tsɔa akpa enelia dana ɖe doa me eye Washington ƒe ta nadze anyi. Ne ète ŋu kpɔ eƒe ta tame la, afɔdzideƒea mede sentimeta 4/32 (milimeta 3.2) o, eye ɣeyiɣia de be nàdze nuƒle gɔme. Le United Kingdom la, pence 20 ƒe gaku dodokpɔa wɔa dɔ na milimeta 1.6 ƒe seɖoƒe si le se nu. Gauge aɖe de pɛpɛpɛ wu.
Batriki kple eƒe charge¶
Batriki si xɔ ƒe ene alo atɔ̃ eye wònɔa ʋuʋum blewu lae nye esi woate ŋu aɖɔli. Na woadoe kpɔ le agba te. Klɔ xɔxlɔ̃ le nugbɔwo ŋu, eye nàkpɔe ɖa be kaawo kple hold down clamp la le sesẽm hã.
Kpɔ ɖa ʋu ƒe batri kuku le yame ƒe fafa me: jump start guide na fafɛ batri nyateƒenyawo kple titri gɔmedzedze. Ne batri ƒe nuxlɔ̃amekaɖia bi esime nèle ʋu kum la, kpɔe ɖa alternator ƒe gbagbã kple batri ƒe nuxlɔ̃amekaɖi.
Lãmetsiwo¶
- Fafamɔ̃: zã tsi si tsia tsikpe nu kple tsi si kpɔa ame ta nyuie wu dzoxɔxɔ si bɔbɔ wu le miaƒe nutoa me ƒe tsakatsaka. Ʋudzraɖoƒe alo eƒe akpa aɖewo ƒe fiase ate ŋu atsɔ tsidzidzenu adoe kpɔ. Kpɔ fafanu, antifreeze kple radiator tsikpe.
- Tsi si wotsɔ klɔa nu: zã dzomeŋɔli ƒe tsi si wotsɔ tsakae si ƒe dzeside nye Celsius degree 20 ya teti (si nye Fahrenheit degree 4 ɖeɖeɖa), alo esi fa wu ne miaƒe nutoa hiãe. Mègazã tsi dzro aɖe gbeɖe o, si ate ŋu azu tsikpe eye wòagbã tsidzraɖoƒea kple pɔmpia.
- Mɔ̃a ƒe ami: lé ŋku ɖe eƒe agbɔsɔsɔme kple eƒe grade ŋu, elabena ami ʋeʋĩ nana vuvɔ dzea egɔme sesẽna. Wɔ ɖe aɖaŋuwɔla ƒe dzomeŋɔli ƒe dzeside ƒe aɖaŋuɖoɖo dzi.
- Brek me tsi: na wodoe kpɔ ne mètrɔe o ƒe eve sɔŋ, elabena tsi si le tsia me ɖea eƒe dzoxɔxɔ dzi kpɔtɔna eye ate ŋu agblẽ akpa aɖewo.
- Mɔ̃memi: na tsigoea nayɔ afã ya teti. Tsi si yɔ fũu wu ɖea tsi ƒe ƒoƒo dzi kpɔtɔna, eye wònaa ami wò be nàtsɔ awɔ dzoxɔxɔnamɔ̃a ne ètsi. Kpɔ frozen fuel line, gelled diesel and fuel problems in extreme cold.
- Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF or AdBlue), if your car uses it: it freezes at about minus 11 degrees Celsius (12 degrees Fahrenheit), and most vehicles have a heater, but keep it topped up.
Visibility: wipers, lights, windows¶
Winter driving means darker mornings and evenings, and more road spray. Replace wiper blades that streak, chatter, or have cracked rubber, and consider winter blades with a rubber boot that resists ice. Check all exterior lights, including fog lights, brake lights, indicators (turn signals), and number plate lights.
Clean the headlight lenses, and check the alignment if oncoming drivers flash you. Check the heater, the defroster, and the rear window heating. See iced windshield, frozen locks and wipers: safe de-icing for clearing ice safely.
Brakes, steering, and suspension¶
A brake system that is nearly worn out is much less forgiving on ice. Check pad thickness, listen for squeals or grinding, and notice if the pedal feels soft. Check the parking brake works, and know how to free a frozen one, because moisture can freeze brake parts.
Worn shock absorbers and loose steering parts reduce control. Book a garage inspection if you notice pulling, vibration, or noise.
Dzoxɔxɔnamɔ̃, yaƒoƒomɔ̃, kple yaƒoƒomɔ̃¶
Check that the heater blows hot, and the demister clears the windscreen quickly. A weak heater may point to low coolant or a faulty thermostat. Have the exhaust system checked for leaks, since a damaged exhaust can let carbon monoxide into the cabin.
If you smell fumes in the car, open the windows and stop. See exhaust leak into car cabin.
The winter car kit¶
Think of your kit in layers: what keeps you warm, what keeps you visible, what gets you moving, and what helps you call for help. Keep the most important items in the passenger cabin or the back seat, because a trunk can be frozen shut, buried, or blocked after a crash.
Core items¶
- Warm blankets or a sleeping bag, rated for the coldest weather you drive in.
- Spare warm clothes: coat, hat, gloves or mittens, scarf, thick socks, and waterproof boots.
- Flashlight or headlamp with spare batteries, or a hand crank model.
- Phone charger cable, a car charger, and a charged power bank.
- Ice scraper and snow brush, long enough to reach the roof.
- Compact shovel for digging out snow.
- Sand, grit, or non clumping cat litter, and traction mats.
- Jumper cables or a portable jump starter.
- Reflective triangles or flares, and a high visibility vest.
- Water in plastic bottles, partly filled so they do not burst when frozen.
- High energy snacks: nuts, bars, dried fruit, and chocolate.
- First aid kit and any regular medicine you need. See kpekpeɖeŋunanu gbãtɔwo ƒe dɔwɔnu.
- Hand warmers and a small towel.
- Tow strap, and a basic tool kit with a multi tool, tape, and gloves.
- A paper map, in case your phone fails.
- A whistle and a bright cloth or flag.
- A battery operated carbon monoxide alarm for the cabin, as an extra warning.
- Tyre chains or snow socks if you drive in areas where they are needed, and gloves to fit them.
Extras for rural, mountain, or long trips¶
- Extra food, a thermos, and a small stove used only outside the car.
- A bag of road salt or ice melt.
- A foldable saw or hatchet, and a rope.
- Dzotsimɔ̃ si woɖo be ʋuwo ƒe dzobibi.
- Taya ƒe yaƒoƒodzidzenu kple taya ƒe yaƒoƒomɔ̃ si ƒe ŋusẽ nye volt 12.
- Taya dzadzraɖo ƒe dɔwɔnu kple aerosol si xea mɔ na ʋua, ne ʋua ƒe akpa aɖeke mele ʋua me o.
- Xexlẽdzesiwo, wò ʋu ŋuti nyatakakawo, kple nugblẽfexegbalẽwo ƒe kɔpi si woŋlɔ ɖe pepa dzi.
- Atike bubuwo zazã ŋkeke geɖe, kple vidzĩnuwo alo aƒemelãwo ƒe nuzazãwo ne ehiã.
- A signal mirror and a bright orange tarp.
Afisi woadzra nuwo ɖo le¶
| Nusi wotsɔ wɔe | Teƒe nyuitɔ kekeake | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Blankets, clothing, snacks | Megbezikpui alo afɔdzideƒe | Reachable if the trunk is blocked |
| Phone charger and power bank | Glove box or door pocket | Needed first in a breakdown |
| Flashlight, whistle, first aid kit | Within reach of the driver | Needed at once after a crash |
| Shovel, sand, traction mats | Trunk, secured | Heavy, loose items are dangerous in a crash |
| Jumper cables, tools | Trunk | Not needed inside the cabin |
| Tsi | Cabin, near the heater vents | Trunk cold can freeze it |
Secure heavy objects so they cannot fly forward in a crash. A shovel or a sack of sand can injure passengers if it is loose.
Affordable ways to build a kit¶
You do not need to buy a ready made kit. Start with an old blanket, a spare hat and gloves, a bottle of water, a few snacks, and a flashlight. Add a scraper and a small shovel.
Add traction aids and a power bank when you can. Check the kit each autumn and replace food, batteries, and water that have expired. See ʋu ƒe nudzɔdzɔ kpata ƒe dɔwɔnu for a year round checklist.
Habits that prevent winter trouble¶
- Na amiɖaka la nayɔ afã ya teti.
- Keep your phone charged before you leave, and carry a charger.
- Tell someone your route and expected arrival time on long or remote trips.
- Check weather and road reports before you leave, and delay travel when authorities advise it.
- Clear all snow and ice from the car, not only a small patch on the windscreen. See yaƒoƒo ƒe ahuhɔ̃e si me tsikpe le, gaƒoɖokui siwo xɔ dzo kple nututumɔ̃wo for legal rules and safe de-icing.
- Slow down, leave a larger gap, and brake gently. See tsikpe alo tsikpe yibɔ dzi ʋuʋu.
- Park facing out, in a sheltered spot if you can, and leave the wipers off the glass if you expect ice.
- Know how to switch off traction control for rocking and when to turn it back on.
flowchart TD
A["Start of autumn"] --> B["Check tyres and tread depth"]
B --> C["Test battery and charging system"]
C --> D["Top up washer fluid and test coolant"]
D --> E["Replace wipers and check lights"]
E --> F["Service brakes, heater and exhaust"]
F --> G["Pack winter kit in the cabin"]
G --> H["Keep fuel tank at least half full"]
H --> I["Check forecast before each trip"]
I --> J{"Severe weather warning?"}
J -->|"Ẽ"| K["He mɔzɔzɔa ɖe megbe alo tia mɔ bubu"]
J -->|"Ao"| L["Drive gently and keep a large gap"]
Other kinds of vehicles¶
Elektrik-ʋuwo¶
Cold reduces the range of an electric vehicle, sometimes by a quarter or more at very low temperatures, because the battery is less efficient and the heater uses power. Precondition the cabin while the car is plugged in, use seat and steering wheel heaters before cabin heat, and plan charging stops with extra margin. Keep the battery above 20 percent in winter, and carry a warm kit in case you must wait. Check the manual for the winter mode.
Diesel vehicles¶
Diesel fuel thickens and can gel in extreme cold. Use winter grade diesel, add an anti gel product before the cold arrives, and keep the tank fuller. See diesel ami ƒe gelling kple dzomeŋɔli DEF tsikpe.
Motorcycles and scooters¶
Cold, ice, and salt are a poor mix for two wheels. If you must ride, use proper winter gear, check tyre pressure often, and avoid ice and shaded areas. Most riders are safer to store the bike or use another form of transport when ice is forecast.
Rental cars and travel¶
If you rent a car in winter, ask whether it has winter tyres and chains, and check that an ice scraper and a spare are included. Many rental firms in cold regions include them, but others do not. Check the local legal requirements before you go. See mɔtowo dzadzraɖo kpata kple kuxiwo gbɔ kpɔkpɔ for general roadside help.
Different climates, different checks¶
A winter check in a place with deep snow differs from one in a region with a few frosts a year. Adjust the list to your situation, but do not skip the basics.
Heavy snow and mountain regions¶
Carry chains or snow socks, a shovel, traction mats, and extra warm gear. Winter tyres with the snowflake symbol are a sound investment. Consider an engine block heater, a battery blanket, and a full emergency kit including a sleeping bag.
In many mountain regions, authorities require chains or winter tyres on certain roads from set dates, and signs say so. Check the rules before you travel.
Cold with little snow¶
Frost, black ice, and freezing fog are the main risks. Good wipers, washer fluid, de-icer, an ice scraper, and a decent battery matter most. Tyres in good condition matter even more, because ice offers little grip. A blanket, gloves, and a power bank are the minimum you should carry.
Coastal and wet winters¶
Rain and spray, salt on the roads, and occasional frost mean visibility and corrosion are the main concerns. Wash the underside of the car after salted roads, check the brake discs for rust, and use good wiper blades. Keep a spare pair of dry shoes and a coat in the car.
Very cold regions¶
At temperatures below minus 25 degrees Celsius (minus 13 degrees Fahrenheit), plastic parts become brittle, tyres develop flat spots, and engines need a block heater. Plug in a heater before every start, keep a thermal blanket and a candle free heat source in the car, and tell someone your route. Travel in daylight, and keep the tank full.
Know the owner's manual¶
The manual has details that no general guide can give: the right oil grade for winter, the location of jump points and tow hooks, how to switch off stability control, how to use winter mode, how to release the fuel door and the boot (trunk) from inside, and what warning lights mean. Read the sections on winter driving and emergencies, and keep the manual in the glove box. Many cars also carry the manual as an app or a PDF, but a paper copy works when the phone does not.
Month by month routine¶
A simple calendar keeps the checks from slipping.
| Ɣekaɣie | Nusi woawɔ |
|---|---|
| Early autumn | Book a service, test the battery, check the tyres, and replace the wipers |
| Mid autumn | Fit winter tyres if you use them, fill the washer fluid, and treat the door seals |
| First frost | Check your scraper, de-icer, and gloves are in the car, and test the heater |
| Ɣleti sia ɣleti le dzomeŋɔli | Kpɔ taya ƒe nyaƒoɖeamenu, tsi ƒe agbɔsɔsɔ, kple nusiwo le kit la me ɖa |
| After a storm | Klɔ dze ɖa, lé ŋku ɖe eƒe akpa si le ete ŋu, eye nàgbugbɔ adzra nusiwo nèzã la ɖo |
| Early spring | Swap to summer or all season tyres at the right temperature, and clean the car |
| Late spring | Review the kit, replace expired items, and plan for next year |
Winter tyre storage and swap¶
Store removed tyres in a cool, dry, dark place, away from electric motors, which produce ozone that damages rubber. Mark each tyre's position, such as front left, so you can swap them in a rotation. Stacking tyres lying flat or hanging them on hooks is better than standing them for months. When you swap, tighten wheel nuts to the maker's torque in a star pattern, and recheck after 50 to 100 kilometers (30 to 60 miles).
Insurance, breakdown cover, and documents¶
Check that your insurance covers winter driving, and what your roadside cover includes: towing distance, number of callouts, and battery help. Keep these items in the glove box in a waterproof bag:
- Insurance details and the phone number for claims.
- Roadside assistance membership number and phone number.
- A list of emergency contacts and any medical conditions you or your passengers have.
- The owner's manual and the service book.
- A pen and paper to write notes and exchange details after an incident.
- A copy of your driving licence and registration if you travel abroad, as the law requires.
Look at xexlẽdzesi siwo wozãna kpata and save the local emergency numbers for the countries you drive in.
Teaching the family¶
A kit only helps if people know where it is and how to use it. Show family members where the kit is, how to use the jack and the spare, how to turn the hazard lights on, and how to call for help. Teenagers who are learning to drive benefit from a winter driving lesson. Run through the story of a stranding, and ask each person what they would do first.
Practice fitting chains on a dry day, and practice jump starting with someone nearby. A hands-on first aid course from the Red Cross, St John Ambulance, or a local provider adds confidence for emergencies. See dzoxɔxɔ si nu sẽ kple vuvɔ ƒe ƒoƒo for what cold injury looks like.
Note
A winter kit is not only for you. A kit that includes a spare blanket, a flask, and snacks can help a stranded driver you meet on the road while you wait for help. Keep the kit within reach, and replace what you use.
Common pre-winter mistakes¶
- Buying winter tyres for only the drive wheels. Fit a full set of four, so the front and rear grip match.
- Topping up washer fluid with plain water in autumn, then finding the lines frozen in the first cold snap.
- Leaving the kit in the trunk where it freezes, gets buried, or cannot be reached after a rear crash.
- Packing a kit once and never checking it. Batteries leak, water bottles split, and snacks go stale.
- Relying on a phone for everything. A paper map, a pen, and a written list of numbers weigh almost nothing.
- Ignoring a battery that was slow last winter. Weak batteries rarely recover on their own.
- Using a half worn summer tyre because it is still legal. Legal and safe are different measures.
- Forgetting the spare. A flat spare is no use when you need it.
Quick five minute check before every cold trip¶
- Walk around the car and look at all four tyres, and the lights and number plates.
- Clear all snow and ice, including the roof.
- Check the fuel level and top up if below half.
- Confirm the phone is charged and the kit is on board.
- Look at the forecast and the road report for your route, and tell someone when you expect to arrive.
Nya siwo wobiaa amewo enuenu¶
Ðe mehiã dzomeŋɔli tayawo ne tasiaɖamfɔwo katã ƒe ʋu le asinyea?¶
All wheel drive kpena ɖe ŋuwò nèƒua du, gake mekpena ɖe ŋuwò be nàxe brek alo atɔ tsikpe o, eye afimae dzomeŋɔli ƒe afɔku akpa gãtɔ dzɔna le. Dzomeŋɔli tayawo nyoa wo ame etɔ̃awo katã ŋu, eyata woxɔ asi le ʋu ɖesiaɖe me, si me tasiaɖamfɔwo katã hã le. Ne sno alo tsikpe le miaƒe nutoa me edziedzi, alo yame ƒe dzoxɔxɔ mede Celsius dzidzenu 7 (Fahrenheit 45) o ɣleti geɖe la, dzomeŋɔli tayawoe nye dedienɔnɔ ƒe tɔtrɔ si ŋu viɖe le wu si nàte ŋu awɔ.
Afɔti ƒe goglome nenie mehiã ŋutɔŋutɔ na ʋukuku le dzomeŋɔli?¶
Se suetɔ kekeake si le se nu, si nye milimeta 1.6 (inch 2/32) zi geɖe la bɔbɔ akpa na sno kple tsidzadza. Dedienɔnɔ ƒe ƒuƒoƒowo kple tayawɔlawo do susua ɖa be ne mede ɖeke o la, woatsɔ taya siwo wozãna le dzomeŋɔli ƒe tayawo awɔ milimeta 4 (inch 5/32), eye woaɖɔli tayawo hafi woaɖo milimeta 3 (inch 4/32) na mɔ siwo dzi tsi le alo esiwo dzi le dzomeŋɔli. Lé ŋku ɖe se siwo le afisi nèkua ʋu le ŋu, elabena dukɔ aɖewo ɖoa se suetɔ kekeake le se nu na dzomeŋɔli tayawo.
Nukae nye nu ɖeka kolia si le vevie wu na dzomeŋɔli ƒe ʋu ƒe dɔwɔnu?¶
Dzoxɔxɔe nye nu vevitɔ kekeake, eyata avɔ alo alɔ̃kotoku kple awu dzodzoe siwo susɔe nye nu vevitɔ. Le ema megbe la, telefon si me wodoa dzo ɖo kple elektrikŋusẽnamɔ̃, akaɖi, aŋetu, nusiwo hea nu, tsi, kple nuɖuɖu tsyɔa kuxi akpa gãtɔ dzi. Na esiawo nanɔ ʋua me, ke menye ɖe ʋua me ɖeɖeko o, eye nàtsɔ nuwo akpe ɖe eŋu alesi wò gazazã ɖe mɔe.
Ɣekaɣie wòle be matsɔ dzomeŋɔli tayawo ade eme?¶
Mɔfiame si bɔ enye be woasɔ na wo ne gbesiagbe yame ƒe dzoxɔxɔ le mamã dedie nu mede Celsius dzidzenu 7 (Fahrenheit 45) o, si nyea zi geɖe le October alo November me le anyigba ƒe anyiehe gome. Nuto aɖewo ɖo ŋkekewo le se nu, abe Quebec ene tso December 1 lia dzi. Wɔ tayadzraƒe ƒe agbalẽ kaba, elabena ɣeyiɣi siwo woɖo ɖi la yɔ fũ le sno gbãtɔ si dza vɔ megbe.
Wolé ŋku ɖe dzɔtsoƒewo ŋu¶
- NHTSA (United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) ƒe taya ƒe dedienɔnɔ kple dzomeŋɔli ʋuwo dzadzraɖo ŋuti mɔfiamewo, siwo dometɔ aɖewoe nye afɔti ƒe goglome kple eƒe nyaƒoɖeamenu.
- AAA (Amerika Ʋu Habɔbɔ) ƒe dzomeŋɔli ʋukuku kple batri ƒe mɔfiame, kple eƒe dzomeŋɔli ƒe nudzɔdzɔ kpata ƒe dɔwɔnu si wòdo ɖa.
- Transport Canada ƒe mɔfiame le dzomeŋɔli tayawo kple to etɔ̃ ƒe ta sno ƒe dzesi ŋu, kple nutome ƒe dzomeŋɔli tayawo ƒe se siwo dome Quebec hã le.
- Dukɔa ƒe Mɔdodo Gãwo (England), GOV.UK, kple The Highway Code le taya ƒe afɔti ƒe goglome kple dzomeŋɔli dzadzraɖo ŋu, kple Yame ƒe Nɔnɔme Ŋuti Dɔwɔƒe le dzomeŋɔli ƒe yame ƒe nɔnɔme ŋu.
- Ready.gov kple FEMA (United States) ƒe ʋu ƒe kpekpeɖeŋunu kpata kple dzomeŋɔli mɔzɔzɔ ŋuti mɔfiame, kple Dukɔa ƒe Yame ƒe Nɔnɔme Dɔwɔƒe ƒe dzomeŋɔli ʋukuku ƒe dedienɔnɔ ƒe axawo.
- Rubber Manufacturers Association kple Tire Industry Association ƒe nyatakaka siwo ku ɖe taya ƒe tsitsi kple wo dzadzraɖo ŋu, kple Europatɔwo ƒe mɔfiame siwo katã ku ɖe dzomeŋɔli taya ƒe sewo ŋu.