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- Ready to start: demand for car services has increased one and a half times since the beginning of the year
Ready to start: demand for car services has increased one and a half times since the beginning of the year
Since the beginning of 2026, the demand for car repairs, roadside assistance and towing has increased one and a half times, according to car service stations. This is due to abnormal snowfall in many regions. In particular, car heating, off-site tire service and battery lighting have become popular services. The cost of repairs during the holidays turned out to be 15-30% more expensive compared to the same period last year. On winter roads, it is important to avoid sudden starts and stalling, experts recalled.
The number of calls to car service stations has increased
The number of visits to car services in the country since the beginning of 2026 turned out to be higher than last year's values, the international franchise network of car service FitService told Izvestia.
— The demand for car service services traditionally decreases during this period, — said Dmitry Samoilov, director of the network's partner support department. — But this year we have seen a relatively rapid recovery in demand.
In the first ten days of 2026, the demand for roadside assistance increased by one and a half times compared to the same period last year, Avito confirmed. The most noticeable increase was in interest in on—site tire service - by 81%. The average cost of such a service is 1.5 thousand rubles. In Moscow, it costs an average of 1.9 thousand rubles, in St. Petersburg - 1.7 thousand.
The demand for car lighting has increased by 61%. Some cars have run out of batteries while they were standing in snowdrifts. On average, it cost 1 thousand rubles. Towing closes the top three demand growth leaders — demand for the service has increased by 57% over the year. The demand for battery replacement increased by 55%. This service is most relevant for cities where there have been severe frosts. This also includes car heating, with a 48% increase in the number of requests.
The most active days for contacting the services in the whole country were January 5 and 6, Dmitry Samoilov added. The average check for car repairs during the holiday period was lower than the annual average and amounted to 10.1 thousand rubles, but this is 13% more than in the same period last year.
"Spending on car repairs and maintenance during the holidays has increased significantly in the capital region," the expert noted. — The average check in Moscow and the region was 16.4 thousand rubles, and the dynamics was 30%.
Diagnostics and minor repairs were among the most frequent car service services during the New Year holidays. For example, oil and oil filter replacement, removal and installation of air and cabin filters, spark plugs, lower engine protection, adjustment of wheel mounting angles.
Roman Timashov, Deputy General Director for the VIP area of Avtodom Group, noted that almost every fourth call was related to the issue of vibration when the car was moving. Among the main reasons is the snow sticking to the wheels.
"There were also complaints about extraneous sounds during movement and maneuvering related to the freezing of ice and snow on the suspension elements, several complaints about torn guards, fenders and mudguards," he said. — The body division has also experienced an influx of customers with more serious suspension and body damage related to the difficult traffic situation and, as a result, getting into an accident.
There were also traditional appeals related to prolonged parking of the car, such as battery discharge, inability to open the car due to power loss. As a rule, such stories end with evacuation.
How frost affects cars
At the beginning of 2026, the turnover of automotive products increased by 63% compared to the same period last year, Vasily Gavrilyuk, head of the Cars and Automotive Products department at Wildberries & Rus, told Izvestia.
"But at the same time, a number of subcategories showed significantly higher growth rates," he said. — For example, sales of tires and wheels increased by 800%, batteries — by 200%. Even such a summer category as motorcycle products has proved itself well — their turnover doubled in January.
More traditional subcategories such as car oils and auto parts grew by 47% and 36%, respectively.
— Due to heavy snowfall in early January, sales of car brushes increased by 155%, sales of wiper blades doubled, — said Vasily Gavrilyuk.
Snowfall, which covered many regions in early January, has become a test for drivers, confirmed the owner of the network of dealerships of commercial vehicles "Alliance Trucks" Alexey Ivanov.
"Cars really often refuse to start, get stuck in snowdrifts, and require emergency assistance," he confirmed. — The main enemy is the battery. It loses up to 40% of its capacity in the cold, and even a relatively new battery may not be able to handle starting the engine after a night outside. Thickened oil is added to this, which creates an additional load on the starter.
Warming up a car now costs an average of 2-3 thousand rubles, lighting a cigarette costs from 1.5 to 2.5 thousand rubles.
— On—site tire service is also in demand: flat tires from the cold or an urgent change to winter tires are typical January situations, — said Alexey Ivanov. — Before frosts, it is worth checking the battery — the voltage should be at least 12.5 volts. Keep the cigarette lighter wires, the brush and scraper, and the tow rope in the trunk.
In heavy snowfall, according to the expert, it is better to refrain from traveling, and if necessary, then slow down, increase the distance, and avoid sudden maneuvers. And be sure to clean the snow off the car, including the roof: flying pieces of ice can pose a danger to other drivers.
In winter, the car loses its ability to roll easily due to increased friction or drag, which is usually caused by technical malfunctions. And in some yards, the wheels literally "break through" the loose snow, Konstantin Ershov, a technical specialist at Rossko, recalled.
"The engine has to accelerate faster, and the driver has to step on the gas harder, which inevitably increases fuel consumption," he said. — You can help with simple actions: before driving, clean not only the body, but also the wheel arches.
Ice growths make the car heavier and increase the resistance to rotation, the expert noted. On winter roads, it is important to avoid sudden starts and skidding — every loss of grip is fraught with the risk of losing control.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
