Top 7 Tips for Preparing Your Car This Winter

Cold temperatures can increase the chance of breakdowns throughout the winter months. So we made a list of our top 7 tips to help see you through the winter.

1. Check your tyres

Colder weather will significantly lower your tyre pressure. If your tyre pressure light has come on this could be the reason why. This is because the cold weather will cause the air to contract inside the tyre. Which then lowers the pressure. Driving with low tyre pressure can weaken your tyres, and can lead to a tyre blow out. It is important to make sure your tyre pressure is correct in the winter months.

2. Get a Service

Getting a service ensures that your vehicle is running smoothly. The cold can cause a lot of problems that could be prevented by regular service. If you recently had a service, then take advantage of a free winter health check!

3. Check the battery

In the winter batteries work harder than the summer months. Batteries tend to have a life span of around 5 years. It’s important to get your battery checked, so you aren’t stuck one morning trying to get your vehicle to start!

4. Clean your lights

Ensuring all your lights work is key. This helps improve road visibility and alerts other drivers of signals you may need to make. It is important to make sure there are no cracked lenses or blow bulbs.

5. Clean your windscreen

Giving your windscreen a good clean both inside and out is key. This is as well as topping up wiper fluid to make sure that you always have the best view of the road. It’s also good to check the wiper blades, they shouldn’t have any rips or tears on them.

6. Carry a winter breakdown kit

It’s good to carry a winter breakdown kit just in case. This should include food and drinks, torch, blanket, screen wash, hi-visibility vest, de-icer and scrapers. It’s also important in bad road conditions to slow down, as well as staying alert and staying in control to reduce the number of accidents on the road.

7. Check your cover

Breakdown cover is essential this time of the year. It gives you the peace of mind knowing that if you do breakdown you won’t be stranded in the cold! It’s important to take a contact number for the company you have taken out the cover with. Keep it with you on all journeys in case you are unable to access it.