Too dirty, too fast, too old equipment: These are the mistakes drivers make in the fall

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In autumn, visibility is deteriorated by the effects of blinding sunlight, darkness, fog and rain. Therefore, it is important to drive with clean windows and rearview mirrors. You should clean the outside and especially the inside of the windshield (this will reduce fogging). Check the wiper blades and windshield washer fluid level and add antifreeze. It is also recommended to manually switch from daytime running lights to low beam when visibility is poor: the light sensor often does not detect fog and in most cars the rear lights do not come on in the daytime running light setting.

In autumn, leaves and moisture make the streets slippery. This extends the braking distance. Therefore, leave more distance between you and the vehicle in front of you and increase your desire to brake. Adjust your speed according to road and visibility conditions. Remember that you should be able to stay in your field of vision whenever you want, especially in foggy weather. The challenge is to find the right balance between slow but not too slow. If you drive too hesitantly, you become an obstacle, inviting overtaking maneuvers and may surprise faster drivers.

Wildlife can be expected at dusk and at night in rural areas and throughout forests. Adjust your speed and be ready to brake. When an animal appears on the roadside or on the street: try to scare it by honking your horn. Brake and dim the headlights at the same time. Only apply true emergency braking if no one behind you is in danger. Avoid dangerous evasive maneuvers; You may hit a tree or an oncoming car. If emergency braking or swerving (oncoming traffic!) is not possible: hold the steering wheel, brake lightly and risk hitting the animal. There are more tips in the guide: How to avoid accidents involving wild animals.

Recheck all lights and replace faulty lights. Especially at dusk, in fog or rain, it is important that you not only see as much as possible, but also be seen by other road users. It is also important to check the battery: very old batteries are the most common cause of malfunctions during the cold season.

In addition to the fourth point, it is recommended to have a transfer cable on board. If you don’t need it, someone else might be grateful for the help. Snow chains should at least be stored in the garage so they can be used when needed. Although it takes a while for the first snow to fall in the plains, you may already encounter a white surprise if you head towards the mountains.

According to the “O to O” rule of thumb, you should put winter tires on in October and leave them until around Easter. To get through autumn and winter safely, TCS recommends using tires with a tread depth of at least four millimeters and a maximum of eight years of age. You should also check the air pressure regularly: if it is too low, driving behavior will worsen during evasive and braking manoeuvres. TCS advises against all-season tires in most cases.

Source: Blick