Preparing Your Car For Winter : The Ultimate Checklist

Full working order means not only can it handle the bad weather but also so your car doesn’t break down midway. Before you set off on a car journey, no matter how long or short it may be, remember to check over your car to ensure it is safe to drive. You should keep your car maintained throughout the year by getting your annual MOT and service from places like Kwik Fit, but it’s essential to do thorough checks on your car especially during winter. Keep reading to find out how to keep your car well maintained this winter.

Car Battery

Cold and wet weather can be bad for your car’s battery as it can put a strain on it. If you haven’t changed the battery recently, it may be worth checking with a home battery tester or alternatively you can check with a specialist who will even fit a new battery for you.

Anti-Freeze

The last thing you need in winter is a frozen engine. Using antifreeze stops the water in the engine’s cooling system from freezing. Check your car’s coolant levels when the engine is cold. Even though it’s a sealed system and it won’t need to be topped up, it’s worth checking, especially before a long car journey.

Screen Wash

There’s more dirt and salt on the roads during winter when the weather is often wet and you tend to spend a lot of time using your windscreen wipers. It’s important to make sure your windscreen is clean and check your screen wash level, remember to do this regularly. By using a quality additive, it will keep your screen wash from freezing over completely.

Fuel

Checking you have enough fuel in your car seems pretty obvious, but the last thing you want is to be stranded in freezing temperatures because your car ran out of fuel. Make sure you have an empty fuel can in your car in case of an emergency.

Oil

If your car is running low on oil, it can cause a breakdown or lead to terrible engine damage. Check that your oil level is between the minimum and maximum mark on your vehicle’s dipstick and if necessary, top it up. Refer to your owner’s handbook to find out what type of oil your car requires.

Exterior Lights

Your lights are essential for what you see on the road, especially with it getting darker much earlier in winter. Maintenance of your exterior lights is a vital car check, so make sure you check and clean them regularly. Dirt and muck can build up quickly, therefore reducing the effectiveness of the lights and reducing your visibility to other motorists. Before setting off, walk around your car and ensure all lights are working and remember to keep them on during all sorts of winter weather conditions. Take extra bulbs with you in case you need to replace any while you are out.

Tyres

Check your tyres for general wear and tear before you set off. The minimum tread level is 1.6mm but in winter it’s advised to have 3mm of tread on your tyres for a better grip. If you drive regularly during winter months, consider buying winter tyres for your car. Winter tyres offer a better grip when the temperatures plummet and are effective in snow and icy conditions. While winter tyres are costly, they are worth purchasing if you are going to be driving a lot during this time of year. Don’t forget to check the tyre pressure frequently too, as this can change when the temperatures drop.

Tyres are an essential part to driving safe on the roads during winter season, so test your tyre knowledge with Kwik Fit’s Tyre Challenge Quiz to see if you know your stuff.

Emergency Kit

While you should always carry out the above checks, there’s always a risk of your car breaking down. It’s important to be fully prepared and have an emergency kit in your car with the following items:

• Warm clothes and blankets
• A torch and spare batteries
• A fully charged mobile phone and charger
• A first aid kit
• A shovel
• De-icer and scraper
• Hi-visibility jacket
• Boots with good grip
• Empty fuel can
• Reflective warning signs
• A road atlas
• Food and drink – especially hot drinks in flasks

By following these quick and simple car checks and giving your car the attention it needs, it can allow you to have a trouble-free winter on the roads and ensure that you are fully prepared for the season ahead.