Giving your car a winter check is vital for your safety and the car keeping healthy and running for as long as possible. So whether you are just using your car for short journeys or planning a long journey for a Christmas holiday, make sure you do these simple checks.
Check your lights
Make sure your headlights and brake lights are working correctly, you are most probably going to be leaving for work and returning home when it’s dark so ensuring you’re lights are working is definitely a priority.
Check the wiper blade
Have a check over of your wiper blade to make sure it’s in good condition and will wipe away the rain and dirt when needed. There’s nothing worse than driving on the motorway when it starts to rain and your wiper is making the window blurry by not wiping away properly.
Tyre inspection
Your tyres are obviously incredibly important to the safety of your journey. Check the tread of the tyres and overall look of them. The minimum depth of tread on your tyres is 1.6 millimetres, across the central ¾ which is 75% of the tread around the complete circumference of the tyre. Many vehicle manufacturers recommend replacing at 3 millimetres. At 1.6 millimetres in wet weather, it takes an extra car length (8 metres) or 50% further to stop at 50 mph than if your tread was 3 millimetres.
You may want to consider some winter/snow tyres, these provide much better grip in both wet and dry conditions when the temperature falls below seven degrees. You don’t need to brave the cold weather to get new tyres either, you can order best quality tyres online from Jet Wheel Tyre from the comfort of your own home.
Check your windscreen
Check your windscreen for chips and if you find any, no matter how small, get them fixed. The cold weather and icy windscreen will only make them bigger. If you get them fixed when they are small and your motor insurance includes cover for glass damage, you will only usually need to pay your excess, plus it won’t reduce your no claims bonus
Oil and antifreeze
Too little or too much oil can cause engine problems. Ensure you have an adequate amount of oil in and the correct type. Your car may need a thinner type of oil in the winter to allow your car to run more smoothly.
Add a mix of water and coolant/antifreeze into the radiator to ensure it doesn’t freeze and crack over winter.
Top up your screen wash with a winter wash, it will contain antifreeze to help stop the water well freezing and will help clean your window once it’s sprayed. Don’t use your coolant/antifreeze for this as it is too corrosive for the wiper blades and car paint work.
