Winter Tips & Checks

Non-Technical Nissan QashQai chat. Mk2, Mk3
DaveBerlin
Posts: 8623
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2014 12:39 pm
Location: Berlin, Germany
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai Facelift - J11b (2017–2021)

Post by DaveBerlin »

Here are a few more Tips which might be worth reading through from MAIL Online- Dave ;)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/cars/a ... onths.html

MORE WINTER DRIVING TIPS FROM THE MOTORING INDUSTRY :

VISIBILITY :
Clean your windscreen and windows: The low winter sun can often be a real driving hazard – especially when combined with heavy rain on the roads. Regularly cleaning your windscreen and windows, inside and out, can help with visibility. Only use a cleaner intended for car glass. In the morning, you can use warm (not boiling) water for defrosting windows, but watch where it runs – it could form an ice slick when it freezes. An ice-scraper is an in-the-boot must-have at this time of year. (Haynes)
Importance of good quality screenwash: Make sure you have enough screenwash and that the concentration is suitable for cold conditions. Not all screenwash is the same so look for the temperature it protects down to. You should be looking for protection down to down to -10 degrees and if you live in areas subject to the greatest extremes of weather, down to -20 degrees. If you don't use a good quality screenwash there is a danger your washer pump could freeze which might lead to the fuse blowing and your wipers not working because they are often on the same fuse. (RAC)
Clean wiper blades: Clean the wiping edges of wiper blades with a tissue dipped in neat screen wash additive. This will help stop smearing and prolong their life. Easy to replace if needed, check the condition of your wiper blades and stop them freezing to the screen by propping them up on slices cut from a cork when you park for the night. (Haynes)

UNDER THE BONNET :
Take good care of your battery: Ensure the battery terminals are tight and not corroded. You may get a free battery and charging system at a car accessory shop or fast-fit specialist. Don't wait for your battery to fail – replace it in good time. And make things easier for the battery by not switching on headlights, heater blower or heated rear window until the engine is running. Similarly, switch off lights etc before stopping the engine. Switch off the heated rear window as soon as the screen is clear.(Haynes)
If the car stands idle most of the weekend a regular overnight trickle charge is a good idea to give the battery a chance to revive. And if your car is struggling to start, use the ignition in short five-second bursts, leaving thirty seconds between attempts to allow the battery to recover. (AA)
Keep an eye on coolant: Ensure that coolant is between the minimum and maximum markers. It is also important that there is sufficient anti-freeze in the coolant. If you're uncertain, have a look at your car handbook or get a local garage to check the strength. Anti-freeze is cheap but damage from a frozen engine can be very expensive to put right. (RAC)

TYRES :
Make sure your rubber is up to the job: The AA recommends at least 3mm of tread for winter motoring, and certainly no less than 2mm. Don't reduce tyre pressures to get more grip – it doesn't work, and reduces stability. It's rare to need snow chains, unless you live in an isolated area, but winter tyres or all-season tyres are now becoming more commonplace – these have a higher silica content in the tread which prevents it hardening at lower temperatures, and therefore gives better grip in cold, wet conditions. They perform best when temperatures down below seven degrees. (AA).

OTHER SUGGESTIONS FROM HAYNES :
Fuel: Winter grade diesel can cope with temperatures down to -15°C. If lower temperatures are expected (which isn't likely this year), use an anti-waxing additive in the fuel tank (or stay at home).
Parking up: When parking overnight in freezing conditions, leave your car in gear with the handbrake off if it is safe to do so. This will prevent the handbrake freezing in the 'on' position.
Iced-up door lock: There's no point leaving lock de-icer in the car if you can't actually access it. Frozen door locks can sometimes be freed by blowing into them – but be careful not to get your lips stuck to the car.
Carry a manual: Of course, Haynes will suggest you should have a manual for your car, but it will give specific maintenance advice on your car Haynes manuals are also available to download from the website. Drivers can access all the content from the printed manuals with the additional benefits of a glossary of terms, searchable menus and quick links.
Maintaining your air con for when you need it: Air conditioning systems tend to pack up in spring because they've not been used during the winter. So switch it on for 10 minutes or so once a month to stop the seals drying out. And use it to demist the windscreen even if you don't need the cooling effect.

ADDITIONAL CHECKLIST FROM SAINSBURY'S CAR INSURANCE :
Before you set off
• Before you set off, check the weather forecast and traffic updates and if possible, delay travelling if either of these is adverse.
• Defrost and warm up the car before your journey but never leave the vehicle unattended when the keys are in the ignition.
• Check your insurance and breakdown cover are up-to-date and keep a note of these phone numbers in the car.
• Carry basic winter essentials with you on every journey. These include a warm coat or blanket, a shovel in the boot, a torch, de-icer, road salt or cat litter (which works just as well) a bottle of water and some snacks. Also consider spare fuses, bulbs and jump leads.
• Ensure your mobile phone is fully charged at the start of your journey – or take a mobile phone charger which plugs in to a lighter socket.
Whilst driving
• Leave more time for all manoeuvres - accelerate and decelerate slowly and leave plenty of distance for braking and turning.
• Dropping gears instead of braking can help prevent skidding.
• In icy conditions, avoid stopping when going uphill and use a lower gear when going downhill.
• If you get stuck in ice or snow, make sure your handbrake is on and clear the area around the wheels; then apply grit or salt around the slipping wheel.
• Use low revs to gently move away. Setting off in second gear can provide more traction.
11.19/1.3L/160PS/Tekna+/DCT/PrOPILOT/KAD Gun Metallic/Trunk Lower Finisher/Rear Glass Finisher/Ambient Lighting-LED’s Innen/Entry Guards Illuminated/Sport Pedals/Front Styling Plate/LED No.Plate/Chrome Door Handles/Rear Valance/Giacuzzo Alloys + Falken

DaveBerlin
Posts: 8623
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2014 12:39 pm
Location: Berlin, Germany
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai Facelift - J11b (2017–2021)

Post by DaveBerlin »

Just been down to Lidl (to buy Henkel De-Humidifier's as mentioned) and a Funny happen. This is the second time this has happened, 1st was a late last year when a Leaf stuck over the Sensor and now today we are down to -10°C and an Icicle was hanging over the Sensor, once cleaned the Alarm was cured. What happens is the Orange Bar appears and alarms consistently.

Also found today which I have never experienced before is that driving with "Cruise Control ON" if you just touch the Clutch it Drops out of Cruise Control. I thought it was an error but tried it several times with the same effect - Dave :)

Warning.JPG

11.19/1.3L/160PS/Tekna+/DCT/PrOPILOT/KAD Gun Metallic/Trunk Lower Finisher/Rear Glass Finisher/Ambient Lighting-LED’s Innen/Entry Guards Illuminated/Sport Pedals/Front Styling Plate/LED No.Plate/Chrome Door Handles/Rear Valance/Giacuzzo Alloys + Falken
switchback
Posts: 382
Joined: Sun Dec 27, 2015 3:08 pm
Location: East Anglia

Post by switchback »

Also found today which I have never experienced before is that driving with "Cruise Control ON" if you just touch the Clutch it Drops out of Cruise Control. I thought it was an error but tried it several times with the same effect - Dave
It thinks you're about to change gear. It's been the same with all my cars fitted with CC. Probably the same sensitive switch that restarts the engine when on stop/start.
2015 1.6 dci Tekna, AWD.
DaveBerlin
Posts: 8623
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2014 12:39 pm
Location: Berlin, Germany
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai Facelift - J11b (2017–2021)

Post by DaveBerlin »

switchback, thanks for your feedback. I was just buzzing along in 6th in snow and Trucks & White Delivery Vans starting streaming over and I was just preparing to change down in case when this happened, but no pressure ! - interesting another fact learned - Thx Dave ;)
11.19/1.3L/160PS/Tekna+/DCT/PrOPILOT/KAD Gun Metallic/Trunk Lower Finisher/Rear Glass Finisher/Ambient Lighting-LED’s Innen/Entry Guards Illuminated/Sport Pedals/Front Styling Plate/LED No.Plate/Chrome Door Handles/Rear Valance/Giacuzzo Alloys + Falken
DaveBerlin
Posts: 8623
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2014 12:39 pm
Location: Berlin, Germany
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai Facelift - J11b (2017–2021)

Post by DaveBerlin »

Just to save re-inventing the Wheel and this topic might be good for new members anyway - Dave :)

I have just got back from the US after 9 weeks and the QQ started 1st Time (+ point). Tomorrow is Wash / Polish day so I thought I would put the winter windscreen fluid in for starters and change to the winter carpets and then follow up with the other Winter actions (here is down to 6*C at nights). Now our Nissan Rubber High Sided Carpets have now been used for 2 winters (12 months) use and had lost their "Shine". I did not want to use any cleaning agent which causes my heels to slide when operating the pedals, so I made a Test with "Lidl W5 Tyre Cleaner" & and an old toothbrush (worth their weight in gold for car cleaning) and it worked - carpets are clean and good in appearance.
Just a Tip that might be helpful ! Photos of Passenger Clean / Drivers Side Unclean / Drivers Side Clean :

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11.19/1.3L/160PS/Tekna+/DCT/PrOPILOT/KAD Gun Metallic/Trunk Lower Finisher/Rear Glass Finisher/Ambient Lighting-LED’s Innen/Entry Guards Illuminated/Sport Pedals/Front Styling Plate/LED No.Plate/Chrome Door Handles/Rear Valance/Giacuzzo Alloys + Falken
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