It can often be difficult to find time to check over your vehicle but, as temperatures begin to drop, you will want to make sure that your car is well prepared for colder conditions so that you do not suffer a breakdown at an inconvenient time. Because your vehicle has so many working parts, you will want to check over important things such as the tyres, battery, and engine. These key components can be affected by the cold weather and can put you and other drivers in danger on the road. It’s important to carry out these checks so that you can have peace of mind that you will be safe on the road.
Top up engine coolant
The colder temperatures have the potential to cause lasting damage to your engine and prevent it from starting, giving you serious problems for your morning commute. Your engine coolant should be a mixture of 50% water and 50% antifreeze so that it can be pumped through the engine to keep it operating at optimum temperatures. Many vehicle owners make the mistake of topping up their coolant with water. This will mean that the antifreeze is too diluted and won’t do its job. This could leave you with large repair bills, so it is important to get this balance right.
Check your tyres
Carrying out a comprehensive tyre check is important, as colder temperatures will require more grip on the road. You will want your tyres to be comfortably within legal requirements. Despite legal requirements specifying a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm, 3mm is recommended to provide the extra grip that you need during these conditions. You should also check the pressure of your tyres regularly to make sure that they are within the manufacturer’s recommended levels.
Check your headlights
The shorter winter days bring darker mornings and evenings, so you will want your headlights to be functioning correctly at these times when the roads will be at their busiest. It is a legal requirement for all your headlights to be functioning properly, so carrying out this check quickly will make sure you are not breaking the law. Indicators, full-beams, and fog lights should also be checked to make sure you are prepared for any conditions. Cleaning your headlights regularly will ensure that they are not obstructed so that you will be seen easily by other drivers and pedestrians.
Check your windscreen
You should have a close look for any chips or cracks in your windscreen, as the cold weather makes these more susceptible to spreading and developing into more severe damage. It is also worth checking your wipers and wiper blades to make sure they will still be capable of clearing your windscreen in extreme weather conditions. You should regularly wash your windscreen inside and out throughout the autumn and winter to make sure that you will have an unobstructed view of the road at all times. This will help to ensure a safer journey for you and your passengers.
Prepare your winter car kit
It is always worth carrying an emergency kit in your car so that you are well prepared for the winter conditions. Here are some things you may want to include:
- Ice scraper and de-icer
- Torch and spare batteries
- Portable phone charger
- High-visibility clothing
- Jump leads
- Shovel
- Spare clothes and blankets
If you have carried out these checks and your vehicle is up to standard, then you should be well prepared for driving in colder weather. If you have noticed some issues with your car, or you want to provide yourself with further peace of mind, our team at Double Dee Autos can help. We can carry out a full service for your vehicle and can complete any required repairs to make sure that you are safe on the road. If you would like to get your car booked in, give us a call today on 020 8460 3040 or email ben@ddautos.co.uk.