A Quick Guide to Preparing Your Car for Cold Weather
As the temperature drops it’s a good idea carry out a few checks to ensure that your car is ready to face the elements. Preparing your vehicle can prevent costly repairs and ensure a safe driving experience.
Here’s a checklist to help you prepare:
- Tread Depth: Check your tyres for sufficient tread depth. Simply grab a 20p coin and place it into the grooves of your tyre. If you’re unable to see the rim of the coin, it means the tread is three millimetres deep or more and safe to drive. But, if you can see the rim, your tread is less than three millimetres meaning the tyre will need changing soon if not straight away.
Or watch how here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F-HmK6-s8M&t=91s
- Tyre Pressure: Cold weather can cause tyres to lose pressure. Ensure they’re inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure.
- Cold Weather/Winter Tyres: Consider investing in winter tyres for better control in temperatures below 7 degrees centigrade.
Our teams at our branches in Sudbury, Haverhill, Diss, Safron Walden, Bury st Edmunds or Stowmarket will always be happy to carry out these checks for you. We have a winter tyre specialist who can discuss your options if you think you may be interested in cold weather tyres
Battery Check:
- Test: Have your battery tested to ensure it’s in good condition. Extreme cold can drain a weak battery quickly.
- Replace: If necessary, replace the battery with a new reliable one.
Our centres all have battery testing equipment and stock a full range of batteries.
Fluid Levels:
- Antifreeze: Check the level and strength of your antifreeze.
- Windscreen Washer Fluid: Use washer fluid to prevent freezing.
- Oil and Brake Fluid: Ensure these fluids are at the correct levels.
Lights and Wipers:
- Functionality: Check that all lights, including headlights, rear lights, and indicators, are working.
- Wiper Blades: Replace worn wiper blades to ensure clear visibility in wet and cold conditions.
Our MOT and service centres in Sudbury, Saffron Walden and Stowmarket can check fluid levels, lights and wipers for you.
Emergency Kit:
- Essentials: If you are being super organised it is a great idea to keep an emergency kit in your car, including warm clothes, a blanket, jump leads, torch, ice scraper, shovel, and non-perishable food and water.
Exterior Checks:
- Door Seals: Inspect door seals for any damage that could allow moisture to enter the interior.
- Exhaust System: Check for leaks or obstructions that could affect the exhaust system’s performance.
Interior Comfort:
- Heater: Ensure that your heating system is working properly. A common fault is the car’s heater resistor (rheostat) fails and the heater won’t work on lower levels.
- Air Conditioning: Linked with the heating, an efficient serviced and gassed air con system helps with demisting and removes moisture.
- Cabin Air Filter: Replace the cabin air filter to improve air quality and prevent fogging.
By following these steps, you can help ensure that your car is well-prepared to handle the challenges of winter driving.
Remember that we can help you with all of these checks and a lot of them are free of charge; just ask for details at your local branch.
Always drive cautiously and be aware of changing road conditions.
