Winter is upon us, which means difficult and icy driving conditions. It is important to make sure that your car is winter-ready and safe to drive during the colder months. Here are our top tips for preparing your car for winter!
Check your car battery
Your car battery is put under a lot of strain during the winter. As well as powering your engine, the battery also powers your heating, lights, de-mister and all other electrical functions in the car. This is why it is vital to check your car battery and ensure that it is in good working order. If your car is struggling to start up, this can often signify that there is an issue. You should carry jump leads in your car in case your battery goes flat during a journey. Or you may wish to invest in a new car battery before the bad winter weather hits.
Check your lights
Your car lights are essential during the dark and snowy winter months, ensuring good visibility and that you are seen by other motorists. You should regularly check your lights, indicators and reflectors to make sure that they are working well. It is also important to clean your lights frequently as dirt and snow can quickly gather, reducing your lights efficiency.
Invest in winter tyres
If you live somewhere where the temperature is regularly below 7 degrees, winter tyres are a smart investment. Winter tyres are great at keeping traction and preventing skidding in the ice and snow. They do this by keeping soft during low temperatures to allow snow to crumble off the tread. They are an extra cost, but they are worth it for the safety and peace of mind that they provide. You can shop some of our high-quality winter tyres below.
Check your oil levels
It’s important to check that your oil level is between the minimum and maximum mark on your car’s dipstick. Being low on oil can result in a break down or engine damage. Wait until your car is fully warmed up before checking your oil level as a cold car will look low on oil.
Look after your windscreen
Make sure that your window wipers are in good condition with no tears so that they can clear your windscreen effectively. You should also replenish your windscreen wash while you’re at it, as the winter weather can quickly lead to a dirty windscreen. It is also the law the ensure that you have windscreen wash available.
Inspect your car brakes
With difficult winter driving conditions, it is especially important to make sure that your car brakes are in top condition. If your brakes are squeaky or produce any other unusual sounds or sensations, get them checked. It is always better safe than sorry. If you are driving your car after it has been unused in the cold for a few days, make sure that your handbrake hasn’t frozen up before setting off.
Top up on antifreeze
Antifreeze is essential for when the temperature dips below freezing. Engine coolant should be a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze. But keep in mind that you will need to top it up with antifreeze as it will become diluted over time. Some people make the mistake of topping up engine coolant with water throughout the year. This can result in the antifreeze becoming over-diluted and freezing during cold weather.
Keep a winter car survival kit
Breaking down is an inconvenience, especially during winter. You should keep a survival kit in your car which will prove invaluable during a breakdown or emergency. Your kit should include essentials such as:
- Torch
- Phone charger
- Jump leads
- First aid kit
- Spare tyre
- Spare fuel
- De-icer and scraper
- Shovel
- Winter boots
- Tow rope
- Blankets/spare clothes
- Emergency food/water
Book a winter car check
If you are concerned about preparing your car for winter, or don’t feel confident doing these checks yourself, you can leave it to the professionals. Many garages offer winter car checks where your car will be inspected to make sure it is safe to drive this winter. Some garages even offer this service for free!
We hope that you have found this blog helpful and that you feel confident in preparing your car for winter! You can browse our wide range of car supplies here. Follow us on our social medias to keep up with the latest news and product updates. Find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Tags: automotive, car, carcare, cars, cartyres, vehiclecare, vehiclemaintenance, vehicles, winter, wintertyres