Winter can throw a lot of unfavourable driving conditions towards us. From icy windscreens to heavy snow and sleet, cold weather can wreak havoc with cars even when we do everything right.
Because car problems can be unpreventable, there’s sometimes not a lot that can be done before they happen. What you can control however, is knowing how to fix these issues.
Tyre pressure
Tyre pressure drops naturally in the winter, regardless of when you last pumped them up. The cold weather means the air inside contracts, which leads your tyres to be under-inflated.
Having the correct pressure is essential for steering, handling and grip. This becomes even more important when the roads are icy and grip is reduced.
Keep checking your tyre pressure regularly from November to February, and top it up when necessary.
Battery problems
The role of your battery increases tenfold during the winter, as people use heaters and lights a whole lot more. The weather itself also slows the chemical reactions in your battery, so this issue can be quite common this time of year.
If your car doesn’t start in the winter, there is a significant chance the battery is to blame. In order to help you find out however, check if your lights and electric windows are working. If they’re not, it is likely the battery (but it’s important to remember this isn’t definitive.)
Fixing this will depend on the cause – is it because its an old battery, or did you drain it by leaving a light or something on? An old battery will need to be replaced, but if it’s just drained it may be possible to jump-start.
It’s important to only try a jump-start if you are confident in what you’re doing, and only if the battery isn’t cracked. If done incorrectly, it can be dangerous.
Frozen door locks
Frozen door locks can be incredibly inconvenient when you’re rushing to leave on frosty mornings. There’s multiple things that can cause this, from dirt in your door frame to water in the lock.
Although a frozen lock isn’t always preventable, it can be a good idea to check that your door seals aren’t damaged. A damaged seal will let moisture in, which will then freeze in cold conditions. If possible, try to park in a garage or use a car cover to prevent freezing.
If your key or lock is already frozen, there are a few things you can do. For a car door lock, try using a little bit of de-icer. If your door itself is frozen, try pushing into the door as if you’re closing it. This should help break up some of the ice without risking damaging your handle.
Winter can throw a lot of issues towards our cars, which we can’t always prevent. If your car already has an issue, it’s likely that the cold weather will exacerbate the problem. To prevent any issues worsening, give us a call on 01604 589179 or visit our site to see how we can help.
