10 Tips to Prepare You For Winter Driving

Check Your Oil

According to RAC reports, one in three vehicles they attend to are dangerously low on oil.

Low oil can cause breakdowns or engine damage, two things you want to avoid at any time but especially as the temperatures start to dip and the nights are drawing in.

Make sure you check your oil when your car is warmed up to give a true reading and ensure the oil is between the minimum and maximum markers on your dipstick.

Keep Your Fuel Topped Up

Try to keep your tank at least ¼ full. Running your tank dry can cause your car to have unnecessary issues and nobody wants to be stranded in the cold waiting for someone to come and rescue them! Take the time to spend 5 minutes at the petrol garage to avoid a long wait in the cold!

Check Your Battery

A flat or faulty battery is the number one reason for a roadside assistance call out according to the RAC. Your battery is also more likely to malfunction in cold weather.

You can check your battery health by taking note if your engine seems to be turning over slower or if the battery light on your dashboard starts to flash or takes longer than usual to go off when you switch your car on.

Ideally you should change your car’s battery every 3 years.

Keep Your Antifreeze Topped Up

Make sure your antifreeze is topped up, it helps to keep the water in the engine’s cooling system from freezing.

Your engine coolant should be changed every 2-5 years.

Check Your Tyres

In wet, icy conditions your stopping distance will be significantly shortened. You must ensure your tyres are well within the legal limit and change them if they are close to it and the weather is turning wet or icy.

By law your tyres must have 1.6mm of tread depth but it is advisable to change them when they pass 3mm tread depth to maintain a safe stopping distance.

Check Your Wipers and Screenwash

Your windscreen is likely to be dirtier in the winter months due to the wet weather, salt on the roads and conditions being muddier. Make sure your wipers are fit for purpose, clean you windscreen properly and also that your screenwash is topped up, you are likely to need it more often than you do in the warmer months.

Check Your Brakes

If your brakes are making any sort of noise or feel less secure, make sure you get them checked. If the conditions turn icy or are wet you will need to have your brakes in tip top condition to avoid any disasters.

Act On Warning Lights

If any of your dashboard lights come on, get the car checked straight away. As the driving conditions become more hazardous it is essential that your car is driving as it should do.

Service Your Vehicle

Make sure your car is up to date with its annual service. These regular check-ups ensure your car is running as it should do and will highlight any issues that have or might arise.

Your car should be serviced every 12 months or within a certain mileage (usually 12,000 depending on the vehicle), whichever comes first.

Keep An Emergency Kit in Your Car

Keep a kit in your car in case of emergencies. Your kit should include:

- Ice Scraper

- A blanket and warm clothing like a coat or hoody

- Wellies or walking boots

- Torch

- Batteries

- Long lasting snacks and water

Always keep your mobile phone on you and a charger.