Inside: Maintaining your Car During Winter. Collaborative post.
If there’s any time of year to take car maintenance more seriously, it’s winter!
The colder season is naturally more hazardous for all drivers, no matter the size or style of their car. Snow, rain, sleet and ice pose a risk on daily drives, with busy seasonal traffic only adding to the challenge.
Whether you’re a city commuter or a country explorer, here’s how to keep your car in top shape throughout the coldest months of the year.
1. Check your Tyres
The quality and condition of your tyres make a big difference to your general safety on the road. Coming to a stop can be a little bit slower on wet surfaces,so this time of year demands tyres that can handle any change in the weather.
Premium winter tyres are typically recommended, but there are some all-season models that should also offer you plenty of traction. Legally, tyres should be a minimum of 1.6 mm deep. Anything less, and you could risk a penalty fine.
Stay safe and make sure the tread and walk around your car every so often to check the pressure too they should be inflated as per recommendations by the manufacturer, which I usually written inside the driver door sale.
2. Be Proactive
Splatters of dirt might not seem like much of a problem, but over time, they can accumulate and start to damage the surface.
Along with being visually distracting, scratches could eventually lead to corrosion. Being sensible and choosing to get covered with multi-car insurancewill protect you in the event of an accident, but you always need to play a proactive role in car maintenance.
Driving regularly in winter can also leave a dirty film all around the outside of your car. If this covers your registration plate, you could risk being stopped by the police and receiving points on your licence. Always make sure that yourregistration plate is legible, both by day and night.
3. Regular Servicing
Finally, don’t forget that every car over the age of three years old needs to pass the annual MOT test.
This is usually obtained by keeping up a good standard of regular care and professional servicing throughout the year, especially in winter. Diesel cars can struggle a little bit more than petrol or electric models in cold weather, so it’s always worth carrying out some simple checks at home as well. These include:
– Oil: Engine oil lubricates the moving parts inside the engine and keeps things running smoothly. Make sure to keep it topped up with the correct grade for your engine type.
– Washer fluid: Keeping your windscreen clean is non-negotiable. Stay safe behind the wheel by making sure you’ve always got enough de-icing fluid for a clear view of the road ahead.
– Coolant: This keeps your engine running at the correct temperature, even in extreme weather conditions. If you’re going on a longer trip, it’s worth keeping a spare bottle in the car.