Winter Car Checks

Winter is coming and no matter if you are driving a car you drive daily, borrowing one from friends or family (don’t forget to look at buying day car insurance if you are), you are going to want to make sure the car is in good drivable condition. 

When the weather gets worse and the days darker there are more car checks we need to make. 

As such here are some things you might just want to think to check before you hit the road. 

Battery.

If you’re anything like me then you will probably turn on your heating as soon as you can. Not only help shift the ice on the mirrors but make the car a bit warmer.

Of course, this takes its toll on your battery and it will (as it once did for me) pack in, in the end.  

So take a few minutes and think how old is my battery? Most last around 5 years so if it’s coming up to that time now might just be the time to perhaps change it.

Tyres.

Check your tread! Remember it is easier to slip and slide on snowy or icy ground and if your tread is low then you’re making things harder on yourself.

In some places, you may want to think about changing to snow tyres or adding on snow chains on, especially bad days. 

Vision and Visibility.

Check your lights, are they all working? If not change the bulbs a non-working light can not only make vision harder for you (plus get you stopped by the police) but also hamper that of other road users with the working ones taking the strain and lighting up more.

What does your windscreen looking like? Give it a good clean inside and out to make sure you are suddenly affected by the low sun and dirty windscreen reducing your visibility.

Windscreen wipers – are they still working properly or has the rubber seen better days if so replace them. In fact, the onset of winter is a great time to replace them anyway every year, and remember to use a screen wash that has the additive of a type of antifreeze (however keep it well away from pets).

Change your emergency kit.

I have a kit of things I might need in my in the summer it’s pretty light keeping things like an atlas, sat-nav, first aid kit, spare bulbs and sunglasses and of course I always carrying my mobile.

In the winter though I add some extra bits into the mix including:
Blankets or Coat
Snow Shovel (I have a folding one which takes up very little room)
Salt (Shaker bottles are great as they keep it both contained and easy to use)
Drink and some Food
Torch
De-icer and scraper (if you can get a scraper with a gloved part over, I definitely recommend it).
Extra screen wash
Shoes
Waterproof
Gloves
Umbrella

As well as all this I always make sure that my breakdown cover is up to date in case the worst should happen.

Servicing & Winter Car Checks.

You can get your car looked over at garage as some companies like Stoneacre Motor Group off winter health checks. Their Winter Vehicle Health Check assesses the suitability of your car for winter conditions. It checks parts of your car like the battery, brakes and lights, as well as checking brake fluid and antifreeze, and topping-up your engine oil. You should also make sure to get a car service every year to prevent any long term issues damaging your vehicle.

Of course, this is far from a complete list of all you can do to make sure you are completely protected this coming winter but hopefully, some of it might just come in useful.

Do you have any more tips that I should make sure I start doing myself this winter?