It's sure getting chilly out there!
Since winter has well and truly arrived, we thought we'd share some advice on preparing your vehicle for winter - as recommended by the AA.
Whether you’re heading away on a holiday, or just driving to the supermarket, having your vehicle properly maintained so you can get to your destination safely should be your number one priority.
Here are our tips to get your vehicle road ready for the winter months.
Windscreen.
A dirty windscreen raises the risk of having a car accident. A combination of cold, wet conditions and greasy windscreens (which are usually caused by people rubbing a fogged up screen with their bare hands) can cause smearing on the windscreen in certain light conditions. Make sure you clean your screen and all interior glass with an automotive glass cleaner.
If your wiper blades are worn and leaving streaks on your windscreen, you should replace the wipers. It’s also helpful to add detergent to your windscreen washer reservoir, but make sure to leave some room so you can top it up with warm water if it freezes overnight.
Maintenance.
Breaking down on a cold winter’s night isn’t a fun experience, so getting a pre winter vehicle service can save you a breakdown headache.
Your vehicles engine experiences far colder temperatures in winter and that in turn increases wear. Fluids have the ability to freeze in sub-zero temperatures so your radiators anti-freeze should be up to standard.
Tyres.
To help reduce the risk of your tyres losing traction on the road, check that your tread is at least 1.5mm deep and that all tyres have correct and equal pressure.
Battery.
During winter, your battery tends to be pushed to its limit, which can cause it to fail faster than expected. If you have doubts at all about your battery’s performance, we recommend getting it tested and replaced if necessary.
It’s also worth keeping a set of good quality, protected jumper cables in case of a breakdown. This could get you or someone else out of a sticky situation.
Lights.
The days are shorter at this time of year, so it’s important to regularly walk around your vehicle and check all of its lights, including indicators, are working and clean. Fully functioning lights not only help you be seen while driving, but also helps other drivers see you.
Winter Emergency Kit.
In case of an emergency or a breakdown, keep a supply kit in the boot with a blanket, spare warm clothes, a torch (with batteries), a first aid kit, a high-visibility jacket, as well as some spare food and water.
Please take care driving this winter. If you need any assistance keeping on top of your vehicles maintenance during winter, feel free to contact us for friendly, no obligation advice.
