Our first and most important tip is always to check your battery. A flat or faulty battery is the most common cause of vehicle breakdowns, according to the RAC and Green Flag. It is also proven that the risk of Battery Failure is greater in wet, cold or icy weather. It's always crucial to be aware of the warning signs. This will help you stop the problem before it's too late.
Common warning signs include:
It is advised to change your car battery once every 3 years, although it may be sooner if it starts to show faults.
During colder weather, your vehicle's oil will thicken, and it may appear to be low on oil when cold. So it is always important to warm your vehicle up before checking oil levels during cold weather. When checking, the oil should always be between the minimum and maximum marks on the dipstick.
Prepare your car by ensuring the oil level is correct, but it's important to remember that too much oil can be dangerous as well.
You always want to avoid driving with worn tyres, but this is especially true during cold weather when the roads are icy and wet, since you won't be able to stop as suddenly.
The law states that your tyres need a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm, but it is even recommended that you change your tyres at 3mm to ensure safe stopping distances. It can also be crucial to have a roadworthy spare tyre in your vehicle at all times.
Being delayed by an unexpectedly frozen windshield is the last thing you need during the winter months. Trying to drive with a frozen windshield can also result in fines and possibly points on your license. So dont let this catch you off guard, there are numerous methods to prevent this, or at least be prepared to deal with it.
Ways to stop a frozen windshield:
Your brakes should always be in their best condition, especially during colder and wetter seasons. If they squeal, make other sounds or give unusual sensations, you should always get them checked.
If you dont use your car for a few days, you should always set off gently in case the brake discs, callipers or handbrake have frozen.
A lot of people are guilty of not knowing what the warning lights on their dashboard actually mean. We always advise you to get to grips with what each light means and how it can affect you going forward. You can find this information in your vehicle's manual.
You must get your vehicle checked as soon as possible if an alert appears on your dashboard.
During the wet winter months, vehicles are prone to getting dirty. With all the salt and mud on the roads, you can lose an estimated 40% of luminosity in roughly 20 miles on a damp and gritted motorway.
A thorough cleaning of your vehicle is an extremely important part of car maintenance, especially during winter. You must always ensure your registration plate is readable, or you could face fines.
Whilst vehicle servicing is important throughout the year. It is especially important during the colder months.
It's often recommended that you get a service every 12,000 miles or every 12 months, depending on which comes first. This may vary per vehicle, so it's always important to check your personal manual. You should also account for the possible lead time to get your vehicle booked in for its service, so always plan ahead.
Antifreeze is a fluid that prevents the water in the engine's cooling system from freezing. So you should ensure yours is topped up, especially before winter. It is advised that you change your vehicle's coolant every 2-5 years; this may change depending on the type of coolant your vehicle has.
There are numerous affordable items you can purchase to prepare yourself for bad occasions. Such as:
Read more about Summer Breakdown Prevention
