How to take care of your car in winter
The cold weather can be harsh on vehicles, and tricky driving conditions can catch you off guard. However, with a little planning, you can ensure that your vehicle is winter-ready.
Clean and check your lights
Cars become filthy during the winter thanks to the salt on the roads. It's important to keep your lights clean; if your car lacks headlamp washers, just wipe them down with a cloth. You should also get somebody to stand outside of your car to help you to see if all your lights are working.
Top tip: Whilst you’re cleaning your lights you should also do your licence plate. Driving with an unreadable plate may result in a fine.
Check your battery
If your battery is older than three years, you should have it checked on a regular basis because it can deteriorate. If your battery isn't holding a charge like it used to, it's a sign that it needs to be replaced soon.
Watch out for warning lights
Most of us are guilty of ignoring warning lights on our dashboards and this could be because we’re not sure what the lights mean. As winter approaches, now is a good time to learn what all these lights mean. And if one appears you can get it checked out right away if it’s something you can’t fix yourself.
Inspect your oil and make sure you have fuel
Check that the oil level on your car's dipstick is between the minimum and maximum marks. Once your car has fully warmed up, check the oil level. A cold car will appear to be low on oil. Remember that too much oil can be just as bad as not enough.
Make sure you have enough fuel in your tank. If your fuel light comes on, don't try to stretch it. It may be nice and warm in your car, but it is preferable to go out to top it up rather than become stranded.
Make sure your car is serviced
You should service your vehicle every 12,000 miles or every 12 months, depending on your usage. It may take a couple of weeks in some areas for the garage to fit you in for a service, so plan and make sure you're scheduled in plenty of time.
Assess your brakes
Your brakes must be in excellent working order. Check them out if they squeal, make other noises, or judder. If you're taking your car out after it's been sitting in the cold, start slowly in case the handbrake has frozen.
Keep your car stocked with winter essentials
It may seem extreme but make sure you have the following items in your car just in case of an emergency:
- De-icer and ice scraper
- Warm clothing and a blanket, rug, or sleeping bag
- Practical footwear like wellies
- Smartphone and charger
- Spade (in case of snow)
If you’re looking to kick off winter with a new car lease, contact us today to discuss options.