With winter just around the corner, now is the ideal time to get your car ready for the cold and icy conditions. By spending a little time and money now, could save you in the long run. Here are some top tips on how to prepare your car for the cold weather.
Check your tyres
Ensuring you have good tread on your tyres can make a dramatic difference to steering and braking, especially in wet weather conditions. Having the correct inflation pressure in your vehicle’s tyres not only improves fuel efficiency and performance but also increases your safety when driving. You should check your tyre pressures at least once a month.
Change to winter tyres
Swap your all-season tires for winter tyres. All season tyres can stiffen and start losing their elasticity as the temperature drops, which can lead to decreased traction. Winter tyres are designed to stay flexible even in extremely cold weather, so you’ll get a better grip on slippery roads. Installing winter tyres could also qualify you for a discount on car insurance.
Wipers
Road-salt, falling leaves and frost on your windscreen mean that your wipers work overtime in winter. Make sure your wiper blades are in good condition by cleaning them of dirt and checking for tears. There are also wiper blades specifically designed for handling snow, ice, and other stresses of the winter months.
Washer fluid
For winter, you need a washer fluid that can withstand extremely cold conditions. If the fluid in your reservoir freezes, it won’t be able to get to your windscreen. Winter washer fluids have an additive – typically methanol – that lowers their freezing point.
Check your brakes
When the roads are covered in snow and ice, stopping takes extra care. Make sure your brake pads are in good shape and top up your brake fluid and don’t forget to leave lots of extra space between your car and the one in front of you when the roads are wet or icy.
Heating system
Turn on the heat in your vehicle and make sure it gets nice and toasty. If you suspect it’s not getting as warm as it should, consider having the system inspected. You could also remove and clean your air filter to make sure your heating system runs as efficiently as possible.
Battery
Cold winter weather makes it tougher for your battery to get your engine running, so have it tested to make sure there’s no corrosion on the terminals, the cables are in good shape, and there’s enough energy to keep you going all winter long.
Oil Change
If you have not had an oil change done, now is the time to do so! There are specific oil types recommended for winter conditions because they have less viscosity and will help the engine work more efficiently.
Emergency Kit
In case you get stuck in the snow, carry an emergency kit stocked with first aid supplies, flashlight, thick blanket, booster cables, ice scraper, a small shovel, snow brush and emergency reflectors.
By following these tips, you should be able to keep your car in excellent condition through the winter season. Car maintenance is quite critical as it would save you a whole lot of trouble in the worst of the winter. Looking to fix any of the above issues – speak to Bodymek, your Northampton garage today.
