Here’s How To Prepare Your Car For The Winter
Winter is rapidly approaching, so it makes sense to get your car ready well in advance. Here’s what you should have covered…
Check your Battery
Car batteries really don’t like winter conditions, despite improvements in technology. Lower temperatures reduce their output and the use of heating systems and lights places larger strains on them, too. This is why it’s so important to make sure your car’s battery is in a good, working state. As a general rule, a car battery will last for around five years if it’s properly looked after.
Inspect your Tyres
Winter means snow, ice and rain. As a result, it’s crucial that your tyres have a sufficient amount of tread, and therefore grip, during the colder months. The legal minimum, when it comes to tread depth, is 1.6 mm. However, it’s always recommended that you keep this at around 3 mm; especially in poor weather conditions.
Top up Antifreeze and Coolant
You don’t want your car’s components to freeze up, so you’ll need to ensure your car has an appropriate amount of antifreeze. Just make sure your engine coolant is a healthy 50 / 50 mix of antifreeze and water if you want it to work properly.
Test your Lights
Dark mornings and dark nights mean greatly reduced visibility; so your lights become crucial over the course of the winter period. Make sure to regularly test that all of your cars lights are working properly. Check to see whether they’re sufficiently bright and whether they’re obscured by any damage or debris. Give them a thorough clean, too.
Ensure Windscreen Wipers Work
You really, really don’t want to find yourself without functioning windscreen wipers whilst cruising down the motorway on a cold December night. Whether it’s snow, rain or grit, you need a clear windscreen. Inspect your car’s wipers for any damage – a sure sign that they’re not working properly is when they smear rather than clear.
Prepare a Winter Car Kit
No matter how well you prepare for winter, things can go wrong. Should the worst happen, and you become stranded, you’ll want to have a series of items stored in your vehicle. Pack the likes of a shovel, torch and spare batteries. These will be invaluable if you get your vehicle stuck. A blanket and hi-visibility vest will also serve you well. It’s always wise to pack scrapers, de-icers and some food and water, too.
Plan Long Journeys
Winter driving conditions can pose a challenge for even the most experienced of drivers. If you’ll be making long journeys over the winter, especially ones you’re unfamiliar with, plan well in advance. Inspect your routes, check for any hazards, and have a plan should you breakdown or get lost.
Car Depreciation: Here’s How You’re Lowing The Value Of Your Car – https://autoserveclub.co.uk/blog/car-depreciation-heres-how-youre-lowing-the-value-of-your-car/
Ford Weighs Up ‘Huge’ EV Investment At Halewood Site – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/ford-weighs-up-huge-ev-investment-at-halewood-site/
