As conditions become harsher, driving becomes more hazardous. Yet, many winter-related incidents can be prevented with some sensible planning. In this article we look at a list of winter vehicle checks that every responsible car owner should know.
As the season changes you need to ensure your car is prepared to face harsher conditions. This means inspecting your car’s tyres, checking the oil level, engine coolant, battery, windscreen wipers, wiper fluid and lights.
Wipers and wiper fluid
To prevent downpour from obstructing your view, your windscreen wipers should be able to clear your screen efficiently. This means no smearing, streaking, stalling or skipping. Excessively squeaky wipers could also mean it’s time for a replacement blade. Often we may not notice issues with our wipers and wiper blades until we’re caught in heavy rain or snow and we really need them. This is why it’s best to check your wipers annually. Your windscreen wipers should also be checked during your car’s annual service if you have one.
When it's Time to Replace your Windscreen Wipers
Cracked Blades
If the rubber part of your car’s wiper blade is cracked or split, it won’t be able to clear water efficiently and will need replacing.
Bent Blades
If the blades have become bent or warped and don’t sit flat on the windscreen it’s time for a replacement.
Loose Blades
If the your wipers seem to skim over your screen loosely rather than sit comfpotrably against the glass, they could be too loose and may need tightening. Ask your local, trusted garage to check for you and tighten them if needed.
Tight Blades
Rather than moving too freely over the screen as mentioned above, blades that are too tight will skip and stall over the screen, or sometimes not move at all. Loosening the blades so that they move smoothly over the screen should combat this issue.
Screen Wash
It’s also important to choose winter screen wash during the colder months. Winter screen wash is designed not to freeze in minus temperatures and may be more efficient at removing dirt and streaks from the screen.
Lights
As foggy conditions become more likely, it’s more important than ever to ensure your car’s front and rear lights are working as they should. This not only includes fog lights but all running lights including your full beam headlamp and indicators.
Battery
Breaking down is no fun at any time of year, but breaking down in winter can be even more dangerous. Icy and wet conditions can make it more difficult for recovery services and other vehicles to reach you, leaving you stranded in the cold for longer. Furthermore, shorter days mean you’re more likely to break down in the dark, thus making you and your stranded vehicle less visible to others. Thankfully, battery-caused breakdowns are totally preventable by making sure your battery is topped up and in good working order. Your battery should be checked during your car’s annual service.
Oil
Don’t wait for a warning light on your dashboard to tell you your car’s oil levels are low. Instead, regularly check your car’s oil levels to prevent a break down in cold weather. Always make sure to check your car’s oil when parked flat to prevent an inaccurate reading. As well as keeping oil levels topped up, it’s also important that the oils viscosity is adequate for the climate and for your vehicle. In some cases, your car may require a thinner or thicker oil, however your garage should advise you on this.
Engine Coolant/Antifreeze
Anti-freeze plays an important role in keeping your engine at a safe temperature. It is vital antireeze levels are topped up during cold months to prevent the engine from freezing when stationary or overheating and breaking down when driving.
Servicing and MOT
While vehicle servicing is a recommended procedure, an annual MOT is a legal requirement for vehicles over 3 years old. For this reason, many of us skip the servicing and just stick to having an MOT. However, servicing can be beneficial for many reasons. Aside from helping to ensure your car is in good working order, it can also reduce insurance costs and identify and correct issues before they become larger problems, with larger expenses. Although not as thorough as an MOT, Regular servicing still offers peace of mind that your vehicle is in a safe, reliable condition. MOTs on the other hand are more rigorous procedures and therefore can be more costly. After your car’s MOT has been conducted, you may be hit with some surprise charges for replacement parts. Your vehicle could require replacement parts for anything from a clutch to a
fuel injector. But, by getting your car serviced every 12,00 miles you could help to reduce the need for premature part replacement.
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