Preparing your vehicle for winter
Poor visibility, icy roads, and puddles of water on the road surface are just a few of the troubles drivers face during winter months.
To avoid breaking down or getting into any nasty accidents while out on the road, there are a few simple things you can do to ensure you're staying safe and your vehicle is winter-ready.
Windscreen wipers and fluid
These see a lot of action in the winter. Make sure that the window wipers on your car remove water from your windscreen screen efficiently. They may need replacing if they are cracked or if they do not remove water in one wipe. You will be using your window washer fluid more regularly during the winter, so make sure you keep it topped up with a quality, degreasing window wash solution.
Battery
Batteries can sometimes find winter weather hard going, especially an ageing battery. Make sure that all battery connections are attached tightly and ensure that the wires are in good repair. If you do experience problems, you can get your battery tested to determine if this is the source of the problem.
Brakes
Check your brakes and your brake fluid levels. When visibility is reduced and the road surface is slippery, you need to know that you can count on your brakes, as they could save your life.
Look after your body
Treat your car to a nice wash and wax. This is not just so that it will look pristine, but it will protect the bodywork from the cold weather conditions and salt used to keep the roads ice-free, and will also make snow and ice slip off the car more easily.
Rear heated windows
You probably have not used your heated rear window all summer long, so switch it on and just make sure that it is still working correctly. It will be invaluable for helping to clear the screen quickly in winter.
Lights
Check regularly that all lights are in full working order and that bulbs do not need replacing.
Heating and air conditioning
It is important that the driver and passengers of the car are comfortable, so make sure that the heating system in the car is working correctly. Properly functioning heating systems are also essential to help keep the windows clear and free of mist. If your vehicle takes a while to produce warm air, the thermostat may need looking at.
Winter emergency pack
It is a good idea to keep a ‘Winter emergency pack’ in your vehicle in case you do break down. This should include the following: ice scraper and de-icer, first aid kit, torch, warm clothes/blankets, jump leads, a road atlas and sunglasses (to avoid road glare from snow during the day).
Do not leave it to chance
If you are concerned about any of the above, and you are not confident in carrying out these tasks, there is always the option to take your car to a garage to be looked at by a professional. Some offer free winter checks, and it is advisable to take advantage of these for your peace of mind and safety.
