When driving in cold conditions, there are many things to take into consideration. From energy consumption and battery health to a comfortable climate and different safety aspects. Be sure to familiarise yourself with what this way of driving entails, as well as which laws and regulations may apply.
Visibility
In cold conditions, ice and condensation can obstruct visibility. Your car is equipped with defrosters, a heated rear windscreen and heated wing mirrors to prevent that from happening.
Warning
Scraping the windscreen
The windscreen area in front of the front-facing camera has its own heating to defrost and remove any build-up of snow or ice. Do not use an ice scraper on this area as it can scratch the glass surface. Scratches or damage to the glass can interfere with or limit the camera's detection capabilities.
Range
Your car's battery can be negatively affected by cold temperatures. When the car has a cold battery, its charge capacity, performance and range are reduced compared to normal conditions. You can avoid this by always charging your car while it's parked, which can prove especially useful if you are parking in a cold climate.
When the battery warms up, for example during preconditioning of the car or when driving, its performance will return to normal.
Maintenance
Note
Tyre pressure
As the temperature drops, the tyre pressure drops. Remember to check the tyre pressure regularly and adjust it as needed.
Important
Cleaning in front of radars
If you find dirt, snow or ice, or if the car indicates that a radar is blocked, you should address it as soon as possible. Always clean and clear a large area around the radars to make their full field of view available.
