Getting Your Car Ready for Winter
Most drivers dread winter because of ice and snow on the road. While it is typically the season of delays and breakdowns, it is important to arm yourself with the right kit that will help you out in a variety of conditions. A winter toolkit will come in handy if you are run off the road in the dark or if you blow a tire. This guide will help you get on your way to navigating the roads during winter.
Battery
Cold and damp weather is a battery killer. There’s little worse than the mechanical groan when you turn the key caused by a dying car battery. If your battery is struggling to start the car then the chances are it’s on its way out. To be sure, you can test the battery yourself if you know what you are doing or you could take it into a specialist that’ll tell you exactly what the problem is and how it can be solved. If you can’t start your car you should consider using a set of jump-leads or you can also remove the battery and take it inside for a longer charging period.
Fluids
During the winter season, you need to pay extra attention to the fluids in your car, from your antifreeze to screen wash and engine oil. Antifreeze stops the water in the engine’s cooling system from freezing. This is more important during winter as snow and ice opens everything up to being frozen especially if you haven’t driven the car in a long time. Also, winter weather is frequently wet which means that you’ll be spending a lot of time using your windshield wipers. This means that there is an elevated risk of them spreading dirt and grime across the screen if your screen wash bottle is empty.
Lights
Checking your lights sounds simple and unnecessary but it is very important to the functionality of your car. During the winter season, the days are shorter and the weather is worse so making sure that your exterior lights work is more important than you think. Make sure that you are checking and cleaning your lights regularly to improve visibility on the road. Salt and dirt can quickly build up which would then reduce visibility at night as well as during periods of snow, fog, and rain.
Tires
If you are a frequent driver during the winter months and live in colder climes, you might be better off considering buying a set of winter tires. They offer exceptional grip when the temperature drops and in snow and ice. Winter tires are not cheap but just like your car, they are an investment in the additional safety for you and your passengers.
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