Cold conditions

Driving in cold conditions can be tricky. It requires different preparations and a different way of driving than a warmer climate does.

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.

Range

Your car's battery can be negatively affected by cold temperatures and the battery’s charge capacity and range can be 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.

Maintenance

 Note

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.

Parking in cold weather

When the battery is cold, the car temporarily reduces battery performance until it's warmed up. Driving the car in a state of reduced performance doesn't harm the battery.

To avoid temporarily reduced performance from a cold battery, connect the car for charging and activate the car's preconditioning ahead of your trip. The car can then heat the battery without affecting performance and available range.

In temperatures below -30 °C (-22 °F), avoid leaving the car parked without charging for longer than 24 hours.