How to behave correctly in the cold - recommendations from experts. Five winter car problems and their solutions
Automotive systems are the same as human body, during winter frosts may be capricious.
Let's look at the problems that most often arise with your car due to the cold, and tell you how to solve them.
Starting the engine
The main winter “sore” is the problem of starting the engine in cold weather. Most often it is associated with a discharged battery, which is easiest to “light” from another battery. To avoid this, in a good way, you need to check the battery charge from time to time. The fact is that the battery in urban environments does not have time to effectively recharge due to short trips and traffic jams, which are accompanied by high electricity consumption (lighting, heating, music, etc.).
The second point is the spark plugs, which are winter period can quickly fail due to the formation of carbon deposits on them. This may be due not only to the quality of the fuel, but also to the fact that some car owners often load an unheated engine with high speeds: more fuel is supplied to a cold unit, which does not have time to completely burn.
Tricky fuel
The so-called fuel problems mainly concern cars with diesel engines, which, depending on the season, use one of three types of fuel: in accordance with GOST 305–82, diesel fuel can be summer (0°C and above), winter (from -20 to -50°C) and arctic (from -50°C and below). So, difficulties arise due to the use of inappropriate diesel fuel. Winter diesel fuel is no different from summer, so it is almost impossible to determine what kind of fuel is poured into the tank. To protect your engine from improper diesel fuel, it is better to avoid unknown gas stations, and during the transition period (winter-spring and autumn-winter) use special depressant additives (anti-gels), which reduce the filtration and solidification temperature of diesel fuel. If, however, you end up using summer fuel in winter and it freezes in the tank, then only a warm garage or parking lot will help. There are no other options.
A nuance that applies to both gasoline and diesel engines deserves special attention - water in the gas tank. It gets there by condensation of moisture from the air (especially when an incomplete tank is systematically refilled) or together with low-quality fuel. Water in the ignition system not only complicates the starting and operation of the engine, but can also easily damage it. And you can remove moisture using a special additive that interacts with water and mixes it with fuel.
Watch the stove
Keeping the inside of your car warm is just about the most important point when operating a car in winter. Reduced efficiency heating system cars is most often found on cars older than 5 years: various deposits form on the radiator itself, as well as its channels, due to which hot antifreeze cannot quickly move through the heat exchanger and heat it effectively. In this case, completely flushing the heater radiator will help.
Fogging of windows
Many car owners experience severe fogging of their windows in winter. In most cases, this is due to a dirty cabin ventilation filter. Air does not fully enter the cabin, which causes humidity to rise and the windows to “sweat.” Salvation is replacing the cabin filter and using air conditioning. If the latter is turned on, then the air in the blowing system circulates dehydrated and, when it hits the foggy glass, absorbs all the moisture. At the same time, turning on the air conditioner in winter is not dangerous (in severe frosts the system will not allow it to activate), and even useful: all mechanisms are automatically lubricated.
"Talking" pendant
In some settlements in the northern uluses of Yakutia, the air temperature may drop to 60 degrees below zero in the coming days, a representative of the Yakutsk Department of Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring told RIA Novosti.
Cars
Severe cold makes driving difficult. Experts believe that just starting an engine in cold weather from -20°C is comparable in terms of wear of moving and rubbing parts to serious mileage under normal conditions, and a ten-minute trip to work can be equated to a 600-kilometer run in the summer.
At low temperatures The battery loses its capacity quite quickly. When preparing for winter use, the first thing you should do is check or update it. In the north, where frost reaches 60°C, truck drivers equip them with batteries insulated with felt or foam, additional autonomous heaters and an exhaust pipe placed to the right and up. The latter is necessary because in severe frosts the exhaust does not dissipate, but hangs in a cloud, and so that the next driver in the column can see at least something, the pipe is moved to the side.
Experts also recommend that when operating a car in severe frost, choose the right motor oil. In severe frost, 90% of oils are not suitable for use; You can use oil with a marking in which the first value is “zero”. It's about about synthetic oils designated 0W40 or 0W50.
Experts recommend that owners of warm garages and cars with injection engines fill the gas tank to capacity before heading out into the cold. The more air there is in the tank, the more water vapor it contains. They crystallize, and microcrystals settle in the fuel, accumulate at the bottom and “ruin” the fuel pump and fuel system.”
IN frosty days washing the car is not recommended, because temperature changes will negatively affect the condition paint coating, the polish may become dull. If you still had to resort to washing services, then after washing you need to blow out warm air locks
In the north, where the frost reaches -60º C, Cars use batteries insulated with felt or foam. Besides,cars are equipped with additional autonomous heaters and an exhaust pipe placed to the right and upwards. The unusual position of the exhaust pipe is due to the fact that in severe frosts the exhaust does not dissipate, but hangs in a cloud and impairs visibility for the driver behind.
In order for the car engine to start, preheaters are used. They are divided into:
electric, operating from a regular power supply. These devices start at $100 and can only be used where there is an outlet, overnight;
autonomous heaters that run on gasoline or diesel;
so-called “heat accumulators”, which are a kind of thermos into which hot antifreeze is pumped in the evening. In the morning, the driver releases it from the thermos, and the engine has time to warm up within 1.5 - 2 minutes.
Buildings and structures
In the projects of houses built in northern regions, in order to protect against harsh natural and climatic conditions, the width of the house body increases. In addition, a compact layout of the house is used without kinks in the external walls, triple glazing of windows and double sash windows are used; Protective screens with a supply of heated air are installed near the windows and the floor of the first floor is insulated, and in areas permafrost— a heating system is installed in the floors; The area of the entrance vestibules with three successively located doors increases. The houses have enlarged and undivided volumes with small window openings.
When organizing construction in the northern zone, frameless large-panel and large-block buildings are currently most common. Laying brick walls at low temperatures is associated with great difficulties. At frost temperatures of 30-40°C, the solution, even heated, freezes the moment it is laid in the wall.
Concrete is not used in structures in the northern regions. It is highly susceptible to destruction and cracking due to its porosity.
Majority emergency situations in buildings is associated with electrical networks - they fail primarily due to overloads of energy consumption, when everyone in the house turns on the heaters. There are many accidents on hot water pipes.
Low soil and ambient temperatures require special measures to protect the water supply network from freezing and large heat losses of pipelines. Heating water is the easiest way to ensure water supply networks from freezing.
Water heating can be done in various ways depending on local resources and technical and economic considerations: electric heating, heating by boiler installations, boiler rooms or the use of cheap coolants (waste or circulating hot water, steam, gas).
Heating of water in boiler systems is used, as a rule, in the water supply system of small settlements and industrial sites; other methods have found widespread use in major cities Far North.
In the regions of the Far North, pre-insulated (factory-insulated) polymer pipes are used for the construction of cold and hot water supply networks, pressure and free-pressure sewerage networks. The presence of a thermal insulation layer allows the installation of utility networks above the ground freezing level.
Human body
Decrease in air temperature, especially in combination with increased atmospheric pressure, can provoke vascular spasms in people predisposed to this. First of all, such weather is unfavorable for those who suffer from cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, vegetative-vascular dystonia, cerebral atherosclerosis, angina pectoris. These weather conditions can also negatively affect the condition of people who have suffered a heart attack or stroke. Sick people may experience headaches and heart pain.
Severe frosts and strong wind may adversely affect the condition of people with bronchopulmonary diseases, especially bronchial asthma. When leaving warm room When such people go outside, the risk of bronchospasm and angina attacks increases sharply. Such patients must have appropriate medications with them. In addition, if there is vascular diseases Doctors recommend thoroughly massaging your feet and hands before going outside.
In such weather, the likelihood of frostbite also increases. In order to protect yourself from frostbite, you need to wear multi-layered clothing: double mittens, a pair of sweaters and a sock. It is very good to use clothing made from waterproof and heat-insulating materials made according to high technology. It is necessary to insulate the head and neck, where the vessels carrying blood to the head are located.
Before going outside in the cold season, especially on long time, you need to eat well and tightly. Poor nutrition and fatigue can cause frostbite, reducing the body's resistance.
You should not drink alcohol, which reduces the feeling of cold and prevents you from feeling how cold you are. Also, you should not smoke in the cold, as smoking causes contraction blood vessels and blood supply to the extremities decreases. For this reason, it is smokers who make up certain group risk of frostbite.
Severe frosts can cause deterioration in health in people with skin diseases and kidney diseases. Frost dries out the skin, so you should not use it before going outside. medicinal products on the water. You should also avoid using cosmetics that contain moisture. Women should not use moisturizing creams, but nourishing (greasy) cream can be applied no later than an hour before going outside. In such a case, it is worth having lard at home - you can buy it at the market, heat it in a steam bath and store it in the refrigerator. In cold weather, it perfectly protects the skin of both adults and especially children. Goose fat or special cosmetics.
The calorie content of food consumed when working in the cold should be increased by 25-50% compared to warm period year. Hot and well-balanced food should be served, with a distribution of approximately 60% carbohydrates, 25-30% fat and 10-15% proteins. Fat should be consumed in the evening and late in the day as it increases body temperature at night and improves sleep quality. Quickly absorbed carbohydrates, such as sugar and sweets, should be consumed while doing work and when direct influence cold. In cold weather, plenty of hot drinks should be drunk (5-6 times a day with great physical activity). At the same time, the use of alcoholic drinks, coffee, because they cause dilation of blood vessels, which leads to rapid loss body heat.
Chief State sanitary doctor Russian Federation Gennady Onishchenko recommends spending as little time as possible outdoors if it is 30 degrees or below. Particular attention should be paid to children and in such frosts, under no circumstances should you take them to school.
The decision to cancel classes in schools during cold weather is made at the individual level municipality separately, since neither the federal nor the regional level there are no such laws. Typically for students primary school(from 1st to 4th grade) classes are canceled at temperatures around 30 - 33°C. At temperatures up to 38°C, the question of canceling classes for students from grades 5 to 11 is raised.
Animals
Severe frosts are dangerous for pets due to frostbite, colds, and diseases. respiratory tract up to pneumonia. If it is severely frosty outside, it is not recommended to walk your dog for a long time. Partially saves dogs high temperature body, intensive metabolism, coat and good natural protection of paws from hypothermia. In addition, dogs are very mobile and do not stand in one place for a long time during a walk. For dogs with thick fur, the cold poses no threat. It is recommended to walk a short-haired small dog in special overalls.
During severe frosts Zoos are taking emergency measures. Most of the animals are sent to heated pavilions.
Zoo staff make ice holes in the ponds to give waterfowl access to water and cover the ice with straw to protect their paws.
Based on materials from RIA Novosti, the weekly "Direct-Info", the newspaper "Komsomolskaya Pravda", the magazine "Cars: what unites us", magazine "Construction of a Country House", online publication NewsProm.Ru, St. Petersburg Research Institute of Labor Protection, MaxiWorld.Ru
So wrap yourself up warm and don't complain.
Winter of 1708/09 and the defeat of the Swedish army
The winter of 1708/09 turned out to be the coldest in Europe in the last 500 years: the frost was so severe that even birds froze in flight. It was during this winter that the many years of the Northern War began. The Arctic cold destroyed almost half of the Swedish army in a few months while it was chasing Peter I, trying to force a general battle on him.
When frosts halved the Swedes' army, Tsar Peter's 75,000-strong army triumphantly completed the defeat of Charles XII's 30,000-strong army on June 27 at the Battle of Poltava. In this battle, the daring Swedes still managed to attack the Russian regiments firmly entrenched in the redoubts and even broke through the line of fortifications. It’s scary to even imagine what would have happened if the entire army of the Swedes had taken part in the Poltava battle, and not the half that eluded General Moroz.
It was not for nothing that Peter I, not yet knowing about the upcoming fierce winter, several times offered peace to Charles XII, agreeing to give up everything he had won through backbreaking labor and asking only to leave St. Petersburg. As it turned out, I gave up early: winter helped.
Winter of 1812 and Napoleon's retreat
In fairness, it should be said that in 1812, General Moroz began to exterminate the French on the way back. Before this, the Russian army was helped by General Space - for some reason few people are surprised that out of the 600 thousand Napoleonic army that crossed the border, 130 thousand took part in the Battle of Borodino, despite the fact that there were no bloody battles, as well as a wide partisan movement (all this will be waiting for Napoleon on his way back). The point is that most The troops were left in garrisons along the entire infinitely long, by European standards, route from the border to Moscow.
The cold came in 1812, indeed earlier than usual - in October. But the fate of Napoleon's army was decided by that time. Unusually severe frosts struck during the crossing of the Berezina. Moreover, the cold was strong enough to destroy many enemies, but not strong enough for strong ice to form, as a result of which many foreign adversaries also drowned.
It should be noted that Russian troops also suffered greatly from the “friendly fire” of General Moroz: Russian overcoats were not much better than French ones. However, it is still easier to find shelter and warm clothing on one’s own land, and Russian losses from the cold, although large, were less than those of the enemy.
Winters of 1941, 1942 and 1943 and the defeat of the fascist army
During the Great Patriotic War Goebbels propaganda tried to blame the “Siberian frosts” for all the failures on Eastern Front, Russian propaganda did not notice the frosts point-blank. Perhaps the truth is somewhere in the middle: no doubt, stubborn and heroic resistance Soviet army and the people were helped by the exceptionally cold winters of 1941/42 and 1942/43, and the vast expanses of the USSR.
By winter German army was completely unprepared, and, characteristically, it was in winter that all the first offensive operations Soviet troops— Moscow and Stalingrad battles (the first successful strategic offensive in the summer occurred only in 1943, after the Battle of Kursk).
VERTOGRAD
HOW TO BEHAVIOR DURING FROST
They will definitely come: after all, we live in the North!
There is nothing unusual about Russian frosts. However, very severe frosts, 30 and above, are a difficult thing. It is easier to survive them than to adapt to them.
So, when going outside in severe frost, you can wrap your feet in newspaper - the layer should be as thick as possible, at least 2-3 newspapers. Newspapers, of course, must be dry and changed every time you change shoes.
The face and hands should be smeared with a rich cream (in no case water-based!). Vaseline, ghee, or just animal fat, such as pork, are suitable. Apply a thick layer to your face, ears and hands.
Moving a lot helps in relatively mild frost. At very strong temperatures (minus 30), excess movement only provokes heat transfer.
Don't warm yourself with vodka. In extreme cold, alcohol promotes heat transfer. Intoxication in extreme cold is a common cause of death from hypothermia.
Five times more clothes doesn't mean it's five times warmer. Use wool and everything only natural. Underwear should be dry, clean, natural.
Arriving in any room, you can quickly warm up by holding your hands under the stream hot water. At home, steam your feet in a bowl of hot water. It’s good to steam your feet, adding mustard powder - 1-2 tbsp. l. on a basin, as much as possible, “to taste.” Moreover, you don’t have to rinse your feet to remove mustard residue after the procedure.
Shoes must be dry. In general, during frosts, pay attention to your shoes special attention. The shoes will still become damp due to the evaporation of sweat and its rapid condensation. Dry your shoes always and everywhere. In general, the ideal shoes for severe frosts are felt boots or high boots.
Covering your mouth with a handkerchief or scarf is useless and even harmful: when you exhale in the cold, the steam from your mouth instantly condenses and within a minute your cloth on your face becomes covered with a thin and invisible layer of ice. Breathing through an icy rag will do no good. Breathe shallowly through your nose, preferably slowly. A person has everything provided for. The nasal cavity is designed in such a way that the air passing through it warms up.
Clean clothes keep you warmer than dirty ones, especially socks.
There is nothing better than wool and fur. Take out all the fur things you have in the house and cover yourself with them “to the fullest.” Insoles for shoes can be cut from wool. Insoles can also be made from cardboard, but they should be changed as often as possible. Wet insoles do not provide warmth. In general, you need to keep fur and woolen items in the house just like a first aid kit and fire extinguisher. It is also better to sit on fur things. There is nothing better than a rustic sheepskin coat during frosty weather.
Be careful with electrical appliances. During severe frosts, fires occur more often.
If the room is cold, it is more convenient to put a heating pad in bed than to heat the entire room. When you go into a cold bed, it is important to warm it up at the first moment. If you don’t have a heating pad, a liter one will do. plastic bottle with hot water under your feet.
Be careful on the street. Drivers' windows fog up, reducing attention - both yours and the drivers'. The road is slippery; in severe frost, even de-icing agents freeze. Salt doesn't help. Any accident can lead to severe frostbite: you may freeze before the ambulance arrives.
If it is very cold and you are freezing, but you have to go, move in dashes, with stops in shops, cafes, anywhere.
Don't wear a knitted meningitis cap if you want to survive minus thirty. Or wear two hats, or better yet, a hat with earflaps.
Eat lard before going out into the cold (tested by experience, it helps!).
Don't drink hot tea as soon as you come back from the cold.
When leaving a warm room, do not breathe through your mouth: the enamel will crack (alas, this has also been proven by experience).
30-degree frost is not the time to dress fashionably. Dress warmly, regardless of appearance.
Be attentive to your ears, fingers, toes, and nose.
Don't walk past freezing people. By calling an ambulance and providing first aid, you can save a life.
It is better for children not to walk alone.
Beware of stray dogs, especially in a pack.
A tired and hungry person freezes more easily.
Sleep only in a warm place, otherwise you will catch a cold.
Don't overuse cold tablets "just in case", especially with paracetamol.
Please note that during frosts equipment and various materials may behave differently than at normal temperatures.
How to insulate a house during severe frosts
Actually, it’s better to do this before frost, at the stage of housing construction. Thermal insulation of house walls in middle lane Russia should correspond to approximately one meter of brickwork. Windows must be triple glazed. There is no need to save on insulation: all your expenses will pay off. If your apartment has thin walls, it is also better to insulate it in advance, during renovation.
Due to the sharp cold snap and difficult weather conditions, special attention should be paid to the rules of behavior in cold weather.
Rules of conduct during severe frosts:
- Outside in the cold, you need to breathe correctly - slowly, shallowly and, preferably, through your nose (so that cold air warmed up in the nasal cavity).
- During cold weather, the body devotes all its energy to insulation. But where can you get it if a person eats little or is on a diet? In severe frosts, nutrition should be enhanced: meat, fish, lard, butter and others high-calorie foods. It is necessary to include more different soups in the diet meat broth, milk porridges. Try to drink more liquid - hot tea, coffee, adding cream, milk, honey, herbal infusions, with the addition of mint and hawthorn.
- Do not consume hot food or drinks at least 40 minutes before going outside. It is more difficult for a warm body to get used to the cold; when going outside, it does not feel the cold.
- You should not drink alcohol, it causes the illusion of warmth and prevents you from concentrating on the signs of frostbite.
- Alcoholic drinks and cold weather- poorly compatible things. Alcohol weakens your ability to control and dilates blood vessels on the surface of the body, which leads to heat loss. Only the vessels contracted to prevent cooling internal organs, - alcohol immediately nullifies these protective measures.
- You should not smoke in the cold - this reduces blood circulation and makes the limbs more vulnerable.
- In the cold, you need to wear loose clothes made of natural fabrics - this promotes normal blood circulation, you need to dress according to the “cabbage” principle, when between layers of clothing there are layers of air that retain heat.
- Do not go out into the cold without mittens, a hat and a scarf (gloves do not protect against frost). The smallest parts of the body - fingers, ears and nose - suffer the most in the cold.
- Do not wear metal (gold, silver) jewelry in the cold - metal cools faster than the body.
- Do not go out into the cold with wet skin or hair. In the cold - nothing wet or even damp! The colder it is outside, the drier all clothes and shoes should be.
- As soon as chilliness, tingling, numbness to the point of loss of sensitivity, paleness, coldness of the skin appear, you need to quickly go to any warm place.
- You cannot remove shoes from frostbitten limbs in the cold - they will swell and it will be impossible to put your shoes back on. You need to quickly get to a warm room.
- In children, the body's thermoregulation has not yet been formed, and in older people and with some diseases, this function can be impaired. Therefore, every 15-20 minutes, children, the elderly, and those who are sick need to return to the warmth and warm up.
- The simplest exercises when you start to freeze: without bending your arms, do 25-30 rotational movements from the shoulder; An exercise will help to quickly warm up frozen hands: by bending low forward, with strong, sharp swings of your arms back and forth, thanks to centrifugal force, you will cause blood flow to your hands. Fast walking, intense movements of the whole body, and wiggling your toes can help warm up frozen feet.
- When leaving home, you must take with you mobile phone, having first checked the availability of money in the account and charging.
- When you come home from the cold, you can’t immediately drink hot tea and take a hot shower or bath. With a sharp change in temperature (from -20 to +20), a significant load on the cardiovascular system can occur, with unpredictable consequences. The body should gradually adapt to room temperature within 20-30 minutes.
If you were unable to find a warm shelter, decide where you are, call for help (ambulance, rescue service, relatives, friends) and start warming up with warmth own body: Curl into a ball with your back to the wind and tuck your hands under your arms. Just don't fall asleep!