Winter is a time of year that places considerable stress on the average car. It’s cold and dark, and the roads are often very slippery. This can heighten the risk of a collision, reduce your performance, and generally make life on the road more unpleasant.
Getting the best from your vehicle during the season means doing a little bit of preparation. But what should that consist of? Let’s take a look at the problem.
Inspect and maintain your tyres
The tyres on your vehicle are what allow it to grip the road. When your grip begins to suffer, so too will the experience of driving. Tyres are designed to be periodically replaced – and knowing when to do this is often a matter of inspecting the tread. It should be well above the legal minimum of 1.6 millimetres.
During winter, some road users might consider switching to winter tyres. These have deeper treads, and they tend to be made from a kind of rubber that’s formulated to remain pliant, even during freezing temperatures. If you’re based in Essex, you can find tyres for sale in Braintree.
Remember, too, that tyres need to be periodically reinflated. Do this monthly – or, if you’re putting in a lot of miles, do it weekly.
Check your battery health
Batteries tend to die during spells of cold weather. This is because the chemical reactions that allow the battery to function tend to be inhibited by low temperatures. Make sure that you test the charge. If it appears weak, then you can replace the battery. This will save you from the stress and hassle of a breakdown on a freezing winter’s morning. If the battery is more than four years old, then this should be considered a priority.
Top up fluids and replace wiper blades
To function, your car relies on several different fluids. These include replaceable fluids like coolant, screenwash, and engine oil. Make sure that you’re monitoring the levels of these things in your car, and that you top them up where necessary.
Wiper blades are also designed to be replaced every so often. Make sure that you replace yours whenever the performance begins to drop. This will allow you to see clearly, and to drive safely, even during the worst spells of bad weather.
Prepare an emergency winter kit
Getting stranded at a roadside during winter isn’t much fun. Prepare for this eventuality by making sure that you have a pack of essential items in the car. These might include ice scrapers, bottles of de-icer, torches, blankets, and first-aid kits. Keep the pack under your seat, or in the boot. You’ll be glad that you have it when an unexpected situation arises.
