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How to look after your car in the cold winter months
04 January 2008
Driving the car in winter can be much more dangerous than at any other time of the year, so preparing your car for this time of year is an absolute must. And nowadays with the winter months seeming to stay with us even longer it is a good idea to be ready for the kind of conditions the cold weather brings.
Here are a few pointers on how to prepare your car so that the harsh conditions of winter are less hazardous and altogether more bearable.
Keep your car clean to see and be seen
Make sure your car is kept clean for greater all-round visibility. You want to be able to see and make sure others can see you so it is advisable to make sure your lights are clear of any dirt and your screen wash is always topped up to keep your windscreen clear. You should check your screen wash fluid every time you stop at the petrol station and make sure you have some spare for long journeys. Remember to add screen wash additive to prevent freezing in winter.
It is recommended that you replace your windscreen wipers at the beginning of every spring. The wintry cold conditions can be harsh enough to crack and tear the rubber blades, so with light use throughout the year they can withstand the winter months before they have to be replaced again.
Make sure you have tyre tread
You need to have tread on your tyres for them to grip the road. Experts say that you should make sure your tyres have at least 3mm tread-depth in the winter and specifically recommend snow tyres for rear wheel drive cars and low profile, high performance cars.
Although the letter of the law says that 1.6mm is the cut off point at which tyres become illegal, wintry conditions are a whole new ball game that this figure does not really account for. It has been said that beyond the 2mm mark tyre performance drops off remarkably, so in wintry conditions 3mm or more is required for safer driving.
It is also important to make sure your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure. Check your owner’s manual to see what the right pressure is, then add or remove air as necessary.
Get your car checked out
Your car performs differently in cold conditions as winter places new stresses on your car that it hasn’t had to deal with for the rest of the year. You need to make sure your car is in good condition before the winter really sets in so have a mechanic check the battery, coolant, belts and hoses, and do an oil change if necessary.
As well as those checks already mentioned, you can do a few visual checks underneath the bonnet on a regular basis yourself - like checking the water, engine oil and the radiator fluid. The battery connections should be tight and free from any corrosion, so this is another visual check you can do, but do remember that battery acid is highly corrosive to skin. Your manual should have the relevant instructions for your basic car maintenance but a mechanic will check all of this on your annual car service if you ask.
Be prepared for an emergency break down
You should be prepared for the unexpected breakdown scenario whatever the weather, but especially in winter. You should have a few simple items with you in the car at all times to be prepared for the delay and discomfort you have in store. The following items are advised:
- Money & mobile phone
- A blanket
- An extra jacket and gloves
- A good quality torch with extra batteries
- A basic first aid kit
- A warning triangle
- A mini fire extinguisher
- De-icer & a windscreen scraper
- A light bulb kit and range of fuses
- A spare fuel can
- Jump leads
- A good tow rope
- Some sand/ gravel/ cat litter (to be used for traction under your wheels if you get stuck in snow) & a small shovel
Keep your car safe from the cold
If you are lucky enough to have a garage for your car then use it. Housing your car in a garage means that your car is less likely to be stolen or damaged, and that the exposed parts are more likely to last longer. You are also better able to do your own car maintenance with a garage that has the space- especially in the cold and dark winter months.
Most people’s garages are a dumping ground for clutter from the house, but with the right garage storage system you can have an organized and tidy garage that your car can fit in. A plus to investing in garage storage cabinets is that not only will you free up space in your home by being able to store more in the garage, but your garage can take on more than one use- for example, as a workshop, gym, play room or even your very own car showroom depending on the quality and style you go for! In the first place, simply improving the garage flooring can create a more accommodating room.
If you have to park your car outside in the cold, remember to raise the wipers off the windscreen to prevent them freezing to the screen and getting damaged. There are plenty of covers and windscreen shields that you can purchase to protect your car from frost and snow, and which may also help in preventing your car being vandalized.
Drive safely
It is advisable to plan your route and check the weather and travel conditions before you set out on a long journey and always allow yourself extra time to make your journey.
Driving in the cold often means that conditions will be slippery, so you will not be able to stop or turn your car as quickly as usual. It is important to remember to keep your distance from the car in front when following traffic. The general idea in these conditions is to drive a lot more slowly and carefully. Be particularly careful when you approach shaded areas as they stay frozen longer, and watch out for black ice as there is often no grip at all. You should drive slowly, keep your foot off the brake and be ready to go into neutral as your car goes over these areas.
You should make sure you adjust your driving style to the road. Generally speaking it is advisable to look far ahead so that you have more time and awareness to respond to hazards. In slippery conditions you should avoid sudden breaking, accelerating and erratic turns of the steering wheel, as they all make you more prone to skidding.
Note: Consult your owner's handbook, local dealer and/or garage if you are unsure of any of this information.
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