Winter is well and truly here, and it’s definitely a good idea to give your car the once over to make sure that it’s prepared to cope with the colder weather.
We all tend to take our car for granted, but the winter months are hard on your vehicle, so a little forethought can make all the difference and keep your wheels moving until the weather breaks in spring. This week we’re sharing our top tips to ensure that you don’t become a breakdown statistic.
Service your car
Yearly services are a ‘must’ for any car, but if your interval means that it’s been over 6 months since your last full service it’s worth booking in a winter service for peace of mind. Knowing that everything is in good order and your brakes will stop you in an emergency is essential during the winter.
Consider winter tyres
You may not need them very often in the UK, but a set of winter tyres could save your life in treacherous conditions. In ice, sleet or snow they offer much more grip and control, but the downside is that they wear down quicker than regular tyres under normal driving conditions.
Check your tyres
If winter tyres are not for you, we advise checking your current ones to make sure that they’re in tip-top condition. You want to see at least 3mm of tread across the tyre for decent road handling and grip – oh, and check the air pressure regularly because extreme weather will affect tyre pressure.
Check your fluids
Keeping on top of your car’s oil, anti-freeze, brake fluid, etc will keep it running strongly and give you peace of mind during tough winter driving conditions.
Check your battery
Most large car parts stores will have the facilities to check your battery for you. Cold weather drains a battery fast, and there’s nothing worse than the laboured sound of a car that won’t start on a cold winter’s morning.
Keep your car clean
We know that it’s hard to motivate yourself to clean your car duringthe cold months, but it makes a difference to how you feel driving it – and a clean car is much easier for other drivers to see. It’s especially important to keep your lights clean for yours and other road users safety.
Check your wipers and keep them clean
New wiper blades are a cheap way to improve visibility, but it’s easy to forget to give them a regular clean. They collect grease and dirt and smear it all over the windscreen, so giving them a clean once a week will keep them in great condition so they can do their job.
We hope that this article helps you to get ready for a long, cold winter. If you can think of anything we’ve missed pop over to our Twitter account and let us know. In the meantime, we hope to see you in your winter-prepared cars down at Trafalgar Street car park.