With many meteorological experts predicting that the weather of 2015/16 could be one of the coldest, harshest winters Britain has experienced for years, it makes sense to plan ahead for difficult weather conditions.
This means ensuring your home is well looked after and that family members are prepared for tough weather conditions. However, there is a lot to be said for ensuring that your car is prepared for winter, and there are a number of steps you should take to ensure your car is prepared for wintry conditions.
There is a lot to be said for having your car serviced regularly all year round and a well maintained car performs more efficiently and effectively. However, to make sure that your vehicle is ready for whatever Mother Nature throws at it this winter, follow these steps.
Make sure your battery is in good working order
Have your battery and charging system checked to ensure that they are working effectively. Cold weather can have a negative impact on car batteries, so it is best to ensure that your battery is of good standard before any negative weather comes along.
With respect to your antifreeze, it is recommended that you clean, flush and replace the antifreeze in your cooling system before winter. This is a task that can be carried out every two years but given the predicted harsh nature of the forthcoming winter, it makes sense to carry out this task.
While there is a lot to be said for carrying out the big tasks to prepare your car for winter, there are a number of small jobs to take care of too. You should check:
- Heaters
- Defrosters
- Wipers
It makes sense to switch to winter wiper blades and to change over to cold weather washer fluid in your car. While changing your wiper blades prior to winter is sensible, this is a task that should be carried out every 6 months.
One of the most important aspects to think about for the winter is your tyres. You should examine your tyre pressure and tire tread depth. These are matters that can see you punished with a fine or penalty points if they are not of the sufficient standard but given that tyres are your sole point of contact with the road, it is vital that you make sure your tyres are in good condition and ready for tricky weather conditions. During the winter, you should try to check the pressure of your tires on a weekly basis.
Your braking system is your leading safety component so make sure it works
Your brakes are also a vital component of your car, and the braking system should be checked before any expected period of bad weather.
Alongside the main tasks and checks, you should arrange to examine and change your oil filters regularly while also ensuring that your interior and exterior lights work properly. This is also the ideal time of year to ensure that your headlights are aimed properly.
Motorists should be having their car maintained and serviced regularly all year round but given the more difficult road and driving conditions of the winter months, this is a time of year to be proactive. The peace of mind and confidence that comes from having your car checked and serviced before the winter will be invaluable for any motorist.
