5 Checks To Perform On Your Car This Winter
With winter already upon us, it’s important to make sure that your car is prepared for the cold months ahead. We’ve put together a list of five checks to help keep your car running through the winter period.
Check Your Battery
Your car’s battery will be under more strain than usual during winter, with darker nights and cold days calling for increased use of headlights and heating.
If your car is struggling, you may need to invest in a battery charger, get it checked or even replaced if it is over 5 years old (the average lifespan of a car battery) – Most garages (Like us!) will fit a new battery while you wait.
Check Your Tyres
It’s important to check your tyre pressure as this can decrease in cold temperatures. Make sure to take a look at the rest of the tyres too to make sure they’re in good condition – or even swap them out for winter tyres if possible.
While it’s generally agreed that all-weather tyres or all-season tyres are acceptable in colder conditions, winter tyres are still best for winter conditions. Make sure that you swap out any summer tyres as they will not be suitable.
Check Your Screen
Cold weather can make cracks or chips in windscreens bigger, which can come at a hefty cost to get fixed – so check your windscreen and get it fixed right away if there are any issues.
It’s also worth checking your wiper blades to make sure they haven’t deteriorated and are still up to the task of handling that cold winter rain!
Finally, remember to top up on screen wash! In wetter weather, you’re more likely to get grit and dirt thrown onto your car by other vehicles which can cause smearing across your windscreen if you’re out of washer fluid!
Top Tip – Don’t use hot water to defrost your windscreen if it’s icy in the morning. It might seem like a quick solution, but the fast change in temperature can cause cracks in the windscreen.
Check Your Lights
This might seem like an obvious one, but it’s important.
Dirt and grime can build up on your lights and reduce your visibility while out on the road – both for yourself and other road users. It’s important to make sure you are easy to spot as it gets darker earlier.
It’s also worth having a spare set of bulbs, and knowing how to replace them easily in case of emergency!
Check Your Brakes
Or have a winter service carried out on your car! Stopping distances increase by up to 10x in icy or snowy conditions, so it’s important to make sure your brakes are in top working order.
Top Tip – if you encounter ice on the road and your car begins to skid, the best thing to do is to gently steer into the direction you are skidding. Do not take your hands off the wheel and do not brake sharply.
Contact us today to book your Subaru winter check!
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