Winter Tips
- If you don’t know this chips in the windscreen under sudden temperature changes can turn into a crack, therefore you should warm up your frosty windscreen slowly by turning on the engine well before driving and setting the heater to gently blow onto the windscreen. Even better, just get the chip repaired!
- Replace your wipers regularly, you can do it yourself or we can do it for you. If you don’t replace them they will cause smearing and reduce your visibility of the road which can be very dangerous. During winter when roads are gritted make sure to have your screen wash topped up, or you will have a lot of salt on it.
- Don’t try you use any random object to scrape off the ice from the glass like a CD case because it can result in scratches on the glass therefore its just best to get a proper scraper.
- Tire pressure falls as does the temperature in winter, it is best to keep an eye on all four of them reguraly and adding air if needed; And don’t forget to have a spare just incase. Don’t forget to refit the valve caps on once you are done; they are really important as they keep dirt and grit out of the valves as well as protecting them from damage.
- Its also a good idea to check your tread depth as worn tires can majorly affect breaking especially in wet conditions therefore if they are near the legal minimum, get them changed. A simple way for you to check tire tread depth yourself is by placing a 20p coin in the tire tread so that the edges are covered, the perpendicular lower edges covered about ¾ of the way.
- Make sure you are seen and that you can see too by checking all of your lights ( headlights, rear lamps, break lights and indicators) visibility is extra important in wintertime as the nights are longer and it gets dark sooner. Don’t forget you clean them too especially once roads are gritted.
- Expect the unexpected by keeping essential emergency items in your boot: First-aid kit, jumper, torch, di syrup, snacks and water. These are the absolte must haves to have in your car in any situation.
- The biggest cause of cars breaking down is flat or breakdown of the battery. Keep your battery in best possible condition by keeping all interior electrics off and lights before you turn off the engine. Don’t use the car’s electrics unnecessarily especially if you don’t have the engine running as it won’t be getting recharged. Its better to get your battery checked by a garage just to be safe, especially if it is an old battery as the older the battery the more likely it is for it to fail.
