TyrePlus Blog

The winter can take its toll on your car, so with temperatures dropping, you’ll need to take extra care of your vehicle. Keep reading for some useful pointers that should help you to steer clear of breakdowns this chilly season.

Windscreen washer fluid and wipers

A combination of water, slush and grit on your windscreen can make seeing the road ahead difficult in winter, and the low sun highlights every spot and smudge on your windscreen, further reducing visibility. This means it’s essential that your windscreen wipers are in good condition. Consider replacing them if the rubber is starting to look at little worn or you’ve noticed that they are leaving smears on the glass. 

Also, make sure you continually top up your windscreen washer fluid, and choose a wash that has a high enough concentration of antifreeze in it. 

Another top tip is to make sure you don’t leave your windscreen wipers on the ‘automatic’ setting in chilly weather. If they try to move as soon as you start your engine and they are frozen to the glass, there’s a risk they could blow a fuse.

Coolant

If the coolant in your radiator freezes, your engine could be seriously damaged. So, to ensure this doesn’t happen, it pays to check your coolant levels on a regular basis and to make sure it contains the correct level of antifreeze. You can find instructions on how to do this in your vehicle handbook. If you find you need to top up the level of coolant, ensure the engine is cold before you remove the filler cap. Take care to use the right sort of antifreeze too. Different types don’t tend to mix well.

Battery

Battery problems are especially common in winter. This is because the cold weather reduces batteries’ ability to charge themselves. If you’re able to, it’s a good idea to keep your car in a garage when you’re not using it. This will protect it from the lowest temperatures. 

You can also invest in a car battery booster. These rechargeable devices simply clip onto flat batteries and provide an instant boost, and they can be a convenient alternative if you can’t find jump leads or you don’t have time to use a conventional battery charger.

Ice

Try to keep the inside of your car as dry as possible during the colder weather. If you spill drinks and don’t clean them up or you leave wet clothes in your vehicle, the condensation this causes can freeze in your ignition lock. Meanwhile, if you return to your car to find the door lock is frozen, try applying a small amount of a water-dispersant such as WD-40. 

Another tip is to avoid opening your windows as soon as you set off. There’s a chance they will be frozen in their frames, and if you try to move them down, they might become detached from the mechanism. It’s best to wait until your car has warmed up a little before you attempt to move your windows. 

Also, so that ice on your car doesn’t become too thick and hard to shift, try to clear it on a regular basis - even if you’re not using your car.

Alternator

A screaming noise accompanied by a burning smell when you start the engine can suggest that water from the windscreen has made its way into the alternator and caused the rotor to freeze. So, if you notice these signs, stop the engine immediately.

Paintwork

The grit used on roads to keep them clear of ice can be corrosive to your car, so it’s especially important at this time of year to clean your vehicle regularly. This will help to keep your vehicle’s bodywork in good condition. Don’t be tempted to blast water inside the brake cables or drums though because it may freeze, leaving you unable to move your car.

Fuel

It might seem like an obvious point, but always make sure you have enough fuel when you’re on the roads in winter. If you get stuck because of accidents or bad weather, it’s vital that you’ve got enough left in the tank to keep going. Bear in mind that cars use more fuel when they are stopping and starting a lot.

Tyres

Your tyres have to be fit for the wintry conditions. To be extra safe, you might want to switch to winter or all-season tyres that give you added grip. Regardless of the types of tyre you use, it’s essential that they have enough tread depth. Although the legal minimum is 1.6mm, it’s advisable to have at least 3mm of tread depth, especially at this time of year. If yours aren’t up to scratch, it’s vital that you replace them as soon as possible. 

Make sure your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure too. Under or over-inflated tyres can make it more difficult to grip the road and therefore increase your risk of skids and accidents.

Time for a service?

You might be able to do a lot of these checks yourself, but for extra peace of mind when you’re driving in winter, why not book your car in for a service? Technicians will be able to give your vehicle a thorough examination and pick up on any issues that might increase your chances of a breakdown or accident this winter and beyond.

Be prepared

As well as making sure your car’s in good condition, you’ll need to take extra care when driving during the winter. From allowing yourself extra time to reach your destination, to sticking to major roads that are more likely to have been gritted, to giving yourself more stopping distance between your vehicle and the one in front,  there are a range of things you can do to stay safe on the roads in cold weather. 

It pays to pack some emergency supplies too just in case you get stuck while you’re out and about. For example, consider taking a blanket, shovel, torch, water, snacks and a charged mobile phone when you set off on journeys.