Choosing a car is always a responsible task. Many nuances must be considered during its implementation, starting with the characteristics and ending with the region in which it will be used. The last criterion is essential for northern states with a cold climate. Considering this, finding the optimal North car will be possible, and it will become a reliable assistant on any trip. The article will consider the main criteria a vehicle purchased for use in a cold climate must meet.
Availability of AWD or 4WD
All Northern Cars should have all-wheel drive. Buyers have two options: AWD and 4WD. AWD is an automatic all-wheel drive that independently transmits torque to all wheels, improving traction. This feature makes this option ideal for frequent driving on snowy and icy road sections.
4WD differs from AWD in requiring the user to engage the all-wheel drive manually. This complicates the driver’s job but allows the driver to independently choose the optimal moment to switch from 2WD to 4WD. This all-wheel drive will be a good option for driving on bad roads and deep snow.
High ground clearance
When buying new cars or choosing used models from an online auction, where they also put up crashed motorcycles for sale and other vehicles, you should always pay attention to the presence of high ground clearance. This is especially true for regions with a cold climate, where you often have to drive off-road and on roads of not the highest quality.
High ground clearance allows you to drive safely in places with deep snow without fearing for the integrity of the car’s chassis, which can be damaged by contact with various obstacles (such as stumps or stones). Also, high-ground clearance indicators allow you to operate the vehicle more carefully, increasing its service life.
Special tires
Even the highest-quality, cold-adapted northern cars will be useless without special tires. They will slide on icy road sections without them and lose traction in the snow. These tires must be made of unique rubber that does not lose its flexibility when used in cold weather. They must also resist sudden temperature changes and various types of precipitation.
Tires suitable for northern cars must have a unique tread that increases the contact area with the surface, even when driving on freshly fallen snow. In addition, special studded tires are suitable for use in the northern states. They provide additional traction and help improve the car’s handling on ice. However, studded tires are prohibited in some regions, so you should carefully study the current regulations before using them.
Advanced driver assistance systems
Modern cars are full of various driver assistance systems. Their presence makes it possible to increase the safety of each trip and improve control. All northern vehicles should have at least a few of these options. The most useful of them will be ESC and TCS.
ESC is a system that allows controlling the vehicle’s position on a wet and slippery road. In cases where the car goes into a skid, the system automatically brakes specific wheels of the car. The result of these actions is the return of the vehicle to its original position. TCS is also an indispensable system for northern cars. Thanks to special sensors, it determines the wheels that are losing traction with the surface. Then, the engine power is automatically adjusted, and the brakes are applied (only to those wheels that are slipping). Thanks to such manipulations, it can improve traction and avoid various problems on a slippery road.
A high-quality battery
It is no secret that a car battery’s efficiency is significantly reduced at low air temperatures. This often leads to situations where it is impossible to start a cold engine and, therefore, impossible to go anywhere. Northern cars must have the highest-quality battery to reduce the likelihood of such a situation. It is more resistant to the effects of cold, as it has special protection against low temperatures.
If the car chosen for use in the northern regions has a low-quality battery, a car battery heater (CBH) can help correct the situation. This device acts like a blanket. It is connected to an external power source, which makes it possible to “warm” the battery. Thanks to CBH, the engine can always be started, even in freezing weather.
Heated seats and steering wheel
One of the most essential additional options in cars used in northern states is heated seats. They significantly increase comfort and allow you to warm up faster after returning to the vehicle. Although heated seats cannot be considered a mandatory function of northern cars, their presence is a serious advantage and helps achieve a high comfort level in the cabin.
The heated steering wheel serves approximately the same purpose. Although this function is not mandatory for northern cars, having access to it will allow you to avoid freezing your hands during trips in cold weather. It will also eliminate the need to wear gloves, which is essential for some drivers.
Economy
The most economical cars are best suited for operation in northern regions, where the air temperature often drops to low values. They allow you to avoid excessively high fuel consumption associated with the cold. More economical transport requires less frequent refueling, which means the financial costs of its maintenance will be lower.
In cold weather, fuel is consumed faster for several reasons. The main one is the need to warm up the engine. This procedure can take quite a long time, during which the car will be stationary. Also, consumption increases because after starting to move, the driver has to drive slowly (so as not to damage the engine). If you add snow and ice on the road to this, the situation forces you to reduce the speed to a minimum. The above is evidence that northern cars should be as economical as possible. This will help avoid increased fuel consumption and provide an opportunity to get a specific financial benefit.
Spacious luggage compartment
Ideally, northern cars should be as roomy as possible. The amount of space in the cabin will depend solely on the comfort of the driver and passengers. In that case, the size of the luggage compartment will determine the ability to reach the destination successfully. A large trunk gives the car owner enough space to transport emergency supplies constantly. In some situations, it will help eliminate the negative aspects associated with the peculiarities of the cold climate and successfully reach the garage.
The trunk of northern cars should accommodate a shovel for freeing wheels stuck in deep snow, a scraper for cleaning ice from the windshield, a towing rope, an additional car battery and much more. Also, the luggage compartment should have enough space for such valuable items in the cold as a blanket (needed in case of a car breakdown and the need for a long wait for a tow truck), a first aid kit, a portable heater, etc. Having all of the above in the trunk, you can confidently drive a northern car, knowing that there is everything you need for various situations behind you.
You should always choose vehicles adapted to work in cold climates in the northern states. These vehicles must have unique characteristics and have advanced safety and comfort systems. Only then will they be able to cope effectively with various tasks and not create problems for their owners? Our checklist will help you find a suitable model and make life easier in the northern regions.
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