Wintry weather can bring unexpected challenges to the road, from icy patches to heavy snowfall. But with a little foresight and preparation, you can confidently navigate these conditions. With the hustle and bustle of daily life, it can be easy to overlook essential car maintenance. However, as winter approaches, ensuring your vehicle is winter-ready becomes crucial. Neglecting this can lead to inconvenient breakdowns or, worse, dangerous accidents. There are lots of guides out there on how to be safe around winter. But by reading this guide and taking a few simple steps, you can safeguard yourself and your loved ones from the perils of winter driving.
Winter Car Prep – The Basics
Winter can be a challenging time for drivers, especially when faced with icy roads, heavy snow, and reduced visibility. To ensure a safe and hassle-free journey during the colder months, preparing your car for the winter season is essential. Here’s our guide to winter car prep:
Fuel Up Your Car
A Full Fuel Tank: One of the most basic yet crucial steps is to ensure your car has enough fuel. Winter driving conditions, such as heavy traffic and frequent stops, can significantly increase fuel consumption.
Top-Up Beforehand: It’s wise to fill up your tank wherever possible before or on a journey, especially if you’re planning a long drive. This will give you peace of mind and reduce the risk of running out of fuel, particularly in remote areas or during unexpected weather changes.
Check Your Oil
Regular Monitoring: Regularly check your engine oil level. This is traditionally done using the dipstick in your engine bay (you can find the specific location in your user manual); however, in some cars (like in some Land Rovers), you can do this through the head-up display on the dash. Check your car’s manual for specific instructions on how to do this correctly.
Correct Oil Type: Use the recommended type of oil for your car’s engine. Overfilling can lead to various engine problems, so ensure you add the right amount.
Tyre Tread and Pressure
Good Tyre Condition: Well-maintained tyres are crucial for maintaining traction and grip on slippery roads.
Tread Depth: The legal minimum tread depth for cars in the UK is 1.6mm. However, it’s recommended to maintain a tread depth of at least 3mm for optimal performance in icy or very wet conditions. Use a tyre gauge or the 20p coin test to check your tread depth. The Government have a good page outlining all the checks and guidelines your car’s tyres should uphold.
Tyre Pressure: Correct pressure is essential for fuel efficiency, handling, and tyre life. Check your car’s manual or the tyre pressure sticker inside the driver’s door for the recommended pressure
Wiper Blades and Screen Wash
Your windscreen is your primary window to the road, and being able to see out of it is pretty helpful, especially in winter! Here’s how to make sure your wiper blades are up to the task:
Regular Inspection: Check your wiper blades for signs of wear and tear, such as cracking or splitting.
Replacement: It’s recommended to replace your wiper blades every 12 months or more frequently if they show signs of damage.
Winter-Specific Blades: Consider investing in winter-specific wiper blades, which are designed to handle ice and snow more effectively.
Winter-Grade Screen Wash: Use a winter-grade screen wash that’s effective to at least -15 degrees Celsius. This will help prevent your windscreen from freezing and ensure effective cleaning.
Regular Top-Ups: Keep your screen wash reservoir topped up to avoid running out.
Road Salt and Grit: Winter road conditions can lead to a buildup of salt and grit on your windscreen. Regular cleaning with a screen wash can help minimise visibility issues.
Coolant: Keeping Your Engine Cool
It may sound like we have it backwards, but keeping your engine cool (or the correct temperature) is still really important in the winter, as your engine’s coolant system plays a vital role in maintaining optimal operating temperature. Here’s what you need to know:
Checking the Level: Regularly check your coolant level and top it up as needed. Ensure the engine is cool before checking the coolant level to avoid burns.
Antifreeze Concentration: Ensure your coolant mixture contains the appropriate amount of antifreeze to protect your engine from freezing.
Sudden Drops: If you notice a sudden drop in coolant levels, contact a professional immediately to get the problem checked out.
Electrics
Electrical issues can be particularly problematic in winter, especially with older vehicles, as they can be quite picky with voltages and batteries, so it’s essential to keep your car’s electrical system in top condition:
Lights and Indicators: Test all your lights and indicators to ensure they work correctly. Replace any faulty bulbs or fuses promptly. Winter always seems to bring these issues out, as you wouldn’t notice something like a headlight out on a beautiful sunny day!
Battery Health: Car batteries are more susceptible to failure in cold weather. Check your battery regularly, especially if it’s a few years old.
Winter Prep Checks at Plymouth Radiators
Remember, the best defence against winter driving hazards is preparation. You can significantly reduce the risks associated with winter driving by asking yourself if your journey is really necessary, if it is choosing the right routes, and ensuring your vehicle is winter-ready.
At Plymouth Radiators, alongside our standard offerings of Car Radiator Repair, Classic Car Radiator Repair and Motorcycle Radiator Repair, we can also do most mechanical jobs or any of the winter checks we outlined above for you. So, if you have any concerns, Plymouth Radiators should be your first port of call to ensure you don’t have to worry about engine overheating causes.
You can call us during our regular hours at 01752 666402 or in emergencies at 07989 973385, and we will be happy to assist with your vehicle.