Preparing your car for winter

As the colder nights draw in, you’ll need to start keeping a closer eye on your car maintenance. Lower temperatures can trigger a range of mechanical issues, and with warnings of more extreme weather conditions to come, it’s best to be prepared.

In this guide, we’ll outline the increased risks of driving through winter and let you know how to keep yourself and your family safe on the roads.

Winter hazards

With severe weather comes greater risk on the roads. Although the UK only sees an average of 23.7 days of snowfall per year, freezing temperatures make the roads slippery with frost, ice and surface water. Cloudy conditions also reduce visibility, making it harder to see oncoming traffic, road signs and even road layouts.

With the AA issuing a nationwide warning on incoming weather conditions, people are being urged to clean their windscreens and windows on the inside and outside. This maintenance tip could reduce glare from oncoming headlights at night, and even offer more clarity in the daytime too.

Looking under the bonnet

We’ve all been reluctant to do it at some point, but checking over your engine could potentially save you a lot of time and money. It’s simple to learn how to check your levels of engine oil, coolant and windscreen washer fluid, which are all essential to smooth operational running.

Wheel care

Good quality, winter-specific tyres are a sensible investment to make as the weather turns. If your car doesn’t come equipped with an automatic tyre pressure indicator, you should check the pressure every few weeks at a garage. If you’re not sure how to do it, ask a friend or relative to help you, as it’s relatively straightforward.

If your brakes feel spongy or different when you put your foot on the pedal, it could indicate a problem, so it’s best to get it checked out by a mechanic.

Be prepared

You should carry emergency items with you at all times in case of breakdown. Start with a blanket, a thick coat, a hi-vis jacket and a torch and keep them all stored in your boot.

It’s worth budgeting for preparatory expenses like these so you aren’t left with a big bill should anything go wrong when the weather becomes more treacherous.

Keeping safe on the roads during winter isn’t limited just to following the Highway Code. By following some of these simple tips, you can reduce the risk of a serious accident or breakdown and get where you need to be safely.