6 Winter Car Checks You Need To Make

As summer slowly fades into a memory, we should be aware that winter will soon be here. Every season has its ups and downs, and one of the downsides to the winter months is that they make driving a challenge and a hazard. With that in mind, it is probably a good time to check on your vehicle to make sure it is ready for the colder months. 

Check Your Tyres

One of the most important places to start your vehicle health check-up is going to be your tyres. When it comes to keeping you on the road, your tyres do so much work and you probably don’t even realize. 

Whether you need 4wd tyres, or those of a standard vehicle, you need to check the tread is deep enough. There is a legal limit to the depth of your tyre tread, and you should make sure you change your tyres before you reach that point. 

Having the right tyres on your car will make the difference between you being able to stock, and you potentially having an accident. You will also need to check your tyre pressure too, as this can affect your stopping distance. 

Change Your Wiperblades

Swapping your wiper blades is crucial as it will help to make sure you are able to see out of your window when the weather is rough. 

Wiper blades are easy to swap and will only take you a few minutes to do. 

Service And Oil Change

Ahead of winter you should book your car in for a service in the garage. Having clean oil and replacement filters will ensure your car runs smoothly, even on the coldest day. 

Top Up Your Fluids

During the winter you will need to check your washer fluid and radiator coolant levels more frequently. Keeping these topped up is critical to your car’s safety.

Stock Up On De-Icer

Have products in your car ready to help you remove frost and ice when the mornings start to get colder. It you prepare now, it will save the need to run around looking for them when you need them. Cold weather is inevitable, so be ready for when it strikes. 

You will need a scraper, de-icer spray, and a spare pair of gloves.

Carry An Emergency Kit In Your Car

Put together and emergency kit to store in the boot of your car. This will be of particular use during the winter months if the worst does happen and you break down, or have an accident. 

You should include a blanket and some extra clothes to help you get warm. Keep a first aid kit in the car, just in case. A couple of bottles of water will be useful in case you ever get stranded and need to wait for a long time to get rescued. 

Keep a list of important phone numbers in your car. Include your breakdown cover details on the list, as well as your insurance company and policy number.

So there you have 6 top tips.  Hope this has helped.  Good luck, be prepared and get more car advice here.