Winter and the harsh weather can take a big toll on your vehicle. Combined with the frost and rain making driving conditions more difficult, it’s essential to make sure your car is prepared. Here’s our 5 things that drivers often forget to check before winter arrives.
Battery health
We all know that harsh weather can take a toll on our car battery. If it’s not working, your engine wouldn’t turn on, and neither would any of the electrical components of your car. This includes your lights, wipers, stereo and more.
There are things you can do to extend the lifespan of your battery – such as only using your electrics when necessary, and turning on your car regularly. However, the best way to be sure is to get it tested. Visit our friendly team at Bodymek for a battery health check to see if yours is in good standing.
Lights
Many people’s least favourite thing about the colder seasons is how dark it gets in the evening. Sunlight starts to dim from 4pm, so it’s likely that your lights will see you through your drives home from work.
Luckily enough, it’s one of the easiest car checks you can do. Turn on your lights and visually check the bulbs are working as they should. This includes indicators, brake and reverse lights too.
If a bulb is out, most garages can help you and change this out whilst you wait.
Tyre tread & pressure
With autumn and winter comes frequent rain and frosty conditions. It’s more important than ever to have tyres with appropriate grip to keep you safe on the roads.
The cold weather can actually decrease your tyre pressure, with every 10°C rise or fall in temperature affects a tyre’s pressure by between 1 and 2 PSI. This can massively impact your cars safety.
Make sure you’re checking your tyre pressure regularly either at a garage or by using an at-home pressure gauge. Each vehicle and tyres will have a different ideal PSI, so make sure to cross reference with your drivers manual.
Don’t forget about your tread either – following the 20p test is the best way to check this at home.
Emergency kit
Although no one ever expects to break down, it happens – and it can be harder to stay safe with the limited sunlight.
An emergency kit doesn’t have to be expensive or space-limiting. All you need as a minimum are warning triangles and a torch. The dark evenings are quickly approaching, and breaking down in the dark can pose a serious risk to yourself and other drivers, especially if your lights aren’t working. Warning triangles are great to let other drivers know there’s a hazard ahead.
It can also be handy to have a blanket. Your car heating won’t work if you’ve had a breakdown, and it’s often a long wait for recovery companies to reach you.
Wiper blades & screenwash
Functioning wiper blades and washer fluid can make or break your visibility on the roads. Heavy rain can be difficult to drive in even with functioning wipers – so without these can be incredibly dangerous.
Washer fluid also becomes even more important as the weather gets colder. Water alone will freeze and damage your cars system, as well as preventing you from adequately cleaning your cars windscreen.
Got any questions? Get in touch with Bodymek on 01604 589179.
