Treat your car this Christmas

As Christmas approaches and the temperatures drop, it's crucial to ensure your car is ready to take on the challenges of winter ahead. With cold weather, icy roads, and potential snow, keeping your vehicle in top shape is a matter of convenience and safety. In this blog post, we'll remind you of the things to look out for when preparing your car for the winter months, the importance of a professional winter service, what it involves, and why you should consider getting one. 

The tyres on your car play a vital role in maintaining traction and control on icy winter roads, and if they are worn or running flat, it’s dangerous to drive. Check your tyres for wear and proper inflation regularly and pay extra attention to the tread depth, as worn-out treads can affect your braking and cause you to skid. Dropping temperatures cause the air to become denser and this lowers the tyre pressure, so don’t worry if you find yourself inflating your tyres more than usual! Getting your tyres to 30 – 35 PSI is the ideal tyre pressure for winter temperatures, but this will vary depending on the type of car you have and the journeys you make, so it's important to check your car manual or take your car for a winter check. If you live in rural or prone-to-snow areas, you could consider changing to winter tyres which have deeper threads and softer rubber to provide better grip and control on winter roads. 

Proper visibility on the road is vital during the winter months for your safety as daylight hours are shorter and weather conditions can further reduce visibility. Make sure to check all your vehicle’s lights (headlights, brake lights, and indicator lights) and if any are out, get them replaced immediately, as it is illegal to drive at night without properly functioning front and rear lights. If you find that a bulb needs to be changed, make sure it gets done as soon as possible to avoid being stopped by the police. Weather conditions can cause your lights to become dirty and hinder your visibility, so make sure to regularly check they are clear of any ice or mucky slush to prevent being a risk to yourself and other drivers.  

There isn’t anything worse than starting your day with a flat battery, especially during the cold, winter months. Many cars sit idle in driveways or on the street for extended periods which can cause the battery to weaken and make it unable to start the engine! To prevent a flat battery, it’s a good practice to start your engine every few days and let it run for a short while or go for a short drive. This will help maintain your battery’s charge and ensures your car to start reliably in the cold winter.  

When driving in bad weather good visibility is a must, and your windscreen is where it starts, as you obviously need to be able to see where you’re going! Make sure your windscreen fluid is filled to prevent dirt and sludge from obstructing your vision, and regularly clean and inspect the rubber on your car’s wiper blade to detect any signs of wear and tear: if you notice any issues, replace your wiper blades. Clear and unobstructed visibility is crucial to driving safely throughout the winter months and the weather conditions that come hand in hand with them.  

As simple as it may seem, regularly checking your engine oil level can help you prevent engine damage and potential breakdowns. Use the dipstick to check your engine oil level weekly, but make sure your engine is cool when doing so! Always keeping your oil at the recommended level ensures your engine remains lubricated and operates properly, even in the cold. If you find yourself topping off your oil frequently, there may be another issue, and you should book a check. 

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The above information and checks are essential to make sure your car is ready for the cold winter months, but if you prefer, we can do it for you in a winter service! A professional winter service is a thorough inspection and maintenance routine done by our mechanics, and here’s why you should consider getting one: 

Keep you, your passengers, and other drivers safe on the road with a winter service, what we think to be, the best way to make sure your car is winter-ready. Don’t wait until it’s too late – book your winter service today and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with having a well looked after vehicle.