Did you know that winters can be really hard on your car? Just because it looks nice, shiny, and gleaming on the outside doesn’t mean that your car’s ‘insides’ are also in tip-top shape.
That’s why we’ve prepared this smart and savvy guide to help you stay safe on the roads during the cold months. It’s as simple as conducting a few tests so that you’ll know your car is ‘winter ready’.
Winter driving: General preparation
Let’s kick things off with some basis. You’d always want to carry a winter car kit.
Why? Because it’s good practice, first of all, especially if you want to take a long trip. And, second, it can save you from a lot of unnecessary headaches and repair costs down the line should the weather take a turn for the worse.
Preparing your car;
- Engine oil and coolant
- Emergency flare
- Washer fluid and windscreen scraper
- Backup battery for your mobile phone
- A fresh pair of clothes
- Water and snacks
- Space blanket
- Torch
- Car warning triangle
- High-visibility vest
You can add more items to this list depending on the weather and your travel demands, but it should have the above, at the very least.
Check with your insurance policy
Having your car break down in winter is no fun, eh? Particularly when you’re out on a family trip and your car breaks down without warning in the middle of nowhere.
It’s always a good idea to check if your insurance policy covers a breakdown, or what precisely it covers in the event of a breakdown, for that matter.
Some insurance policies offer breakdown cover merely as an option so it’s always a good idea to do some research and find the best value.
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Inspect your car’s exterior
Windscreen wipers
When car wipers are not used for extended durations, they can either stop working altogether (when you need them to work the most!) or they work intermittently. If you ever notice something wrong with your windscreen wipers – e.g. juddering or ‘hiccupping’ inefficiently across the windscreen while it’s raining – you’ll need to replace them ASAP.
Even if you feel that your wipers are absolutely fine and you hardly ever need to use them, it’s still wise to replace your wiper blades only at least once a year as that would allow them to scrape the windscreen smoothly and as intended without scratching your windscreen or limiting visibility.
Headlights, brake lights, turn signals, etc.
Daylight hours are shorter in winter, so you can definitely expect to use your headlights a lot more frequently. Plus, using your headlights is paramount not only to your safety but also others on the road. A murky, milky or misaligned headlight can really affect road visibility and your ability to drive confidently in foggy, hazy or rainy weather with little visibility.
A headlight cleaner kit is a great way to get your headlights’ illumination or beam intensity back to normal, although in some cases, you may want to get them replaced altogether if the headlight cover is badly scratched or worn out. Some cars also have a headlight washer system (like most Mercedes Benz and BMW models), so make sure that’s working correctly.
Also check that your headlights are aligned properly and projecting beams for optimal visibility. If they’re not, get them aligned without delay. While you’re at it, also check to see if your brake lights and turn signals are working normally. A spare set of bulbs for your brake light and turn signals is something you’ll never regret.
You may also consider fog lights as they can really be lifesavers in winter weather conditions.
Tyres
While the minimum legal tyre tread depth is 1.6mm, we’d recommend that you get them replaced once they reach 2.-3mm as this ensures optimal traction, smooth acceleration, and good grip levels while braking, for example.
Wet, muddy, slushy, or snowy roads demand extra traction, so the more tread you have on your tyres, the better. Do some research on your travel route as you may need winter tyres even though they are not mandatory according to UK road laws.
Check your car’s owner’s manual to set the optimal tyre pressure for different weather and driving conditions.
Call us now on 0330 174 8540 for a no obligation discussion
WhatsApp on 07535 812 049
Inspect your car’s interior
Washer fluid
Most people almost never check their washer fluid. Big mistake!
Just pop the bonnet and see if your washer fluid holder needs a top off. Always go with windscreen washer fluid instead of plain water as the former will not freeze, and also do a better job of keeping your windscreen clean.
Antifreeze/coolant
Each car’s cooling system uses a specific mix of water and coolant or antifreeze. It flows throughout the engine block, allowing it to run without heating up and also stops it from freezing or locking up when your car’s parked for several hours in below-zero weather.
Don’t top off your radiator with water only. Refer to your car’s manual for the right water to antifreeze ratio. Get your system flushed every two years and if you’re not sure about the ideal water-antifreeze ratio, then a 50/50 one is a safe bet.
Batteries
Car batteries really bear the brunt of winter; in fact, dead or weak batteries are among the most common causes of breakdowns in winters.
Is your battery old? Get it charged before a trip or even better, get a new one.
The interior lights being dimmer than usual, or fluctuating when you start up the car, or the car taking longer than usual to start – are all signs that you need a new battery.
Oil
Finally, you want to make sure your oil is topped up. If the small oil icon is lit up in your dashboard, get it changed.
Consult your owner’s manual to see what the oil replacement intervals are. If you still have a couple of miles left, then you might as well replace the oil now rather than later.
Liber Financial offers some pretty incredible car financing deals feel free to contact us today.
We’re here to help
Liber Financial can help you determine eligibility and make the entire process really easy for you.
Call us now to explore a variety of car financing options: 0330 174 8540
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