05Jan
5 Top Tips on how to Prepare your Vehicle for Winter
It is easy to become distracted during this time of year, with the festive season looming. Yet the breakdown of your motor vehicle can become a more likely occurrence as the weather becomes colder. At Billcar Ltd, we are a family-owned and operated business with experience since 1981. We guarantee an affordable and reliable service, helping to keep your vehicle in top condition and provide the most rewarding drive possible. To avoid the car repair garage, we would like to share our expertise, so here are our 5 top tips on how to prepare your vehicle for winter.
One of the main causes of car failure in the winter is a flat battery, the risk of failure is increased in cold, wet and icy weather. The chemical reactions within the battery reduce because of colder weather compromising performance. A battery should be changed every 3 years. If your battery has not been changed recently, it will be more likely to struggle during the colder season. Increased use of lights and heating will also place greater demand on the battery. If you struggle to start your car, it is possible that your battery is tired and needs replacing. We advise you to get your battery checked or replaced if you think it’s due.
As the temperature drops, the condition of your vehicle’s tyres becomes increasingly important. Good grip for steering and braking is essential, but even more so with the greater chance of driving on icy and wet roads in this season. By law, tyres need to be a minimum of 1.6mm tread depth, but having more and best up to 3mm can make all the difference. Winter tyres can also be an excellent investment if you are a frequent driver. Another tip is to check your tyre pressure on a regular; pressure can change as temperatures drop.
The engine cooling system in your car should be checked often. In the winter months, this should be a priority. If your antifreeze levels are low, the water in your cooling system can freeze. Make sure it is topped up to the ideal ratio of 50/50 water and antifreeze. It is important not to dilute the antifreeze too much. You can check this with an antifreeze tester.
With fewer daylight hours, it is critical to check and clean the lights on a car. Luminosity can decrease as salt and dirt build up quickly when driving on winter roads. For the safety of yourself and others, it is important to keep your lights on during darker days and they need to be clear and bright. Lights, indicators and rear reflectors should be cleaned with a cloth regularly. And to be even more prepared, buy some spare bulbs and learn how to install them so you’re covered if one blows.
Alongside wetter and frosty weather, your windscreen and the wiper blades need to be checked. Make sure they are in good working order, assess there are no tears or holes by running your finger down them. Check the windscreen for any minor cracks of chips, too. These can worsen in cold weather, leading to a full windscreen replacement. Give your windscreen a thorough clean inside and ensure you have screen wash fluid with antifreeze.
Additional to our tips, we can carry out a vehicle winter check. Get in contact with us if this is something you require. At Billcar Ltd, we offer a car service Shrewsbury locals can rely on.