Winter Car Maintenance: Glass, Grilles and Frozen Handles

Ice and frost can do more than slow you down — they can damage your car if you handle them wrong. Here's how to look after your XPENG in cold weather.

Winter brings its own maintenance challenges: frozen glass, icy handles, blocked sensors and the wrong washer fluid. It's also the season when a little preparation goes furthest — especially if you drive to the snowfields, where conditions change fast. Before you go, check that your washer fluid is rated for the temperatures you'll meet at altitude. Mountain mornings can be much colder than in the city. A little know-how keeps everything working — and avoids expensive mistakes. Here's your winter car maintenance checklist, from washer fluid to frozen handles.

Choose the right washer fluid

Ordinary washer fluid can freeze in the nozzle or reservoir. Use a winter-specific, anti-freeze windscreen washer fluid rated for your local climate. As a rule, pick one rated 10 to 15°C below your region's lowest winter temperature. For example, if your area drops to -10°C, a fluid rated to -25°C gives you a comfortable margin. It keeps the windscreen clear and protects the washer system from ice damage.

Look after the grille and sensors

In winter, snow, ice and frost can build up on the front grille, cameras and radar sensors, affecting how they read the road. Wipe them with a warm, dry towel when you see frost or dirt. The grille typically returns to normal once temperatures rise — no action needed beyond keeping it clear.

Frozen charging port and door handles

If water freezes in the charging port or door handles — often after a cold wash — don't force anything. Melt the ice gently with a hairdryer on low or warm water. If a handle or the port cover is stuck, tap the ice layer lightly to break it, or pour warm water into the gap. Use sensible force: the goal is to melt ice, not bend parts.

Wiper blades: clear before you use them

A frozen wiper is a common winter mistake. If snow has built up on the blades, clear it before switching them on. It's a classic winter car care mistake — and an easy one to avoid. Never keep operating frozen wipers — the motor can burn out. If the blades have frozen to the glass, thaw them gently with warm water or the windscreen demister. On really cold mornings, check the washer jets too — frozen jets are a clear sign the fluid grade needs an upgrade. And if the washer jets freeze, that's a sign to check your washer fluid grade. Many drivers also lift the wipers off the glass before parking in a frost — it's an old trick that still works.

Clearing snow, protecting paint

Use a soft snow brush or scraper to remove snow from the bodywork, and consider a car cover if your car parks outside overnight. Heavy snow left on the paint can scratch it as it shifts. A soft touch matters: use gentle strokes, and never scrape ice off glass with anything hard. A proper ice scraper or de-icer spray is the right tool for the job.

A note on brakes

After a cold wash, water can freeze on the brake pads, causing them to stick slightly. You may hear a clicking or groaning sound on the first few brake applications — that's the ice breaking up, and it's completely normal.

The bottom line

Winter maintenance is about being gentle and being prepared: the right washer fluid, warm towels for sensors, patience with frozen parts, and a soft hand with snow. Get those right, and your XPENG will start every winter morning ready to go. One more tip: after a winter wash, dry the door seals and handles. Left to freeze, water in the seals can make doors feel stiff the next morning.