Winter Car Maintenance: How To Keep Your Car Looking Great And Running Well

The winter can be a tough time for cars. With adverse weather and cold temperatures, car maintenance is never as essential as during the winter months. Your safety, particularly in icy or snowy weather, depends on keeping your car running well and prepared for the winter.

There is a lot that goes into maintaining a car. You should ensure that you consider all aspects of your vehicle when preparing for the winter. This article will explore some of the best ways you can keep your car running and looking great during the winter.

Clean Your Car Regularly

Regular cleaning is crucial for both the look and the health of your car. Cleaning allows you to inspect all the areas of your vehicle for damage and identify anything that needs improving or replacing. In addition, cars can get pretty dirty during the winter months, with salt spreading and muddy weather making it easy to get messy.

You may receive a hefty fine if you drive with an illegible licence plate, so you should ensure that you wipe it down regularly. In addition, you should take extra care cleaning windows and lights for maximum safety.

Check Your Tyres

Your tyres need to be in top condition to offer the best safety during the winter. You should regularly check your tyres for signs of wear or baldness. If your last MOT had advisories for your tyres to be replaced, it is a good idea to get this done before winter arrives.

Keep Your Tank Topped Up

Running out of petrol in the winter can be dangerous. You may end up stranded in the dark and cold, so it is crucial that you keep your petrol tank topped up. A good rule of thumb can be to keep your petrol tank at a quarter full or above. This will ensure that you always have a good fuel supply to get you to the nearest petrol station.

Protect Your Paintwork

Winter can wreak havoc on your paintwork. You could consider options like paint protection film to protect your paintwork, which helps keep your paintwork safe in adverse weather. Protective films can be replaced easily, making it the ideal way to protect your paint. Take a look at the PPF at Adept Wrapping for an idea of the benefits it can offer.

Add More Screen Wash And Anti-Freeze

When temperatures start dipping, it is vital that you prevent the fluids in your car from freezing. You should ensure that you top up your radiator with anti-freeze regularly and dilute your screen wash following the winter instructions on the bottle.

Assess Your Brakes

Keeping an eye on your brakes is essential all year round, but even more so in winter. You should ensure that your brakes are working correctly by testing them when driving. Ensure that there are no other cars around that could be affected by your braking. If your brakes make noise or seem less effective than usual, you should get them checked out and replaced by a professional as soon as possible.

Take The Essentials With You

It is a good idea to have a winter kit to take with you when driving in the colder months. You should pack essentials like a warm coat, torch, phone charger, food and water, and de-icer. This can help ensure that if you break down in the winter, you will have all you need to stay warm and comfortable until rescue arrives.

Invest In Winter Tyres

Winter tyres can be a great way to ensure that your car is ready for ice, frost and snow. Not many people in the UK switch out their tyres over the colder months but doing so can be an invaluable way to stay safe in winter.

Change Your Battery

Car batteries should ideally be replaced every three years. If it’s been a while since you last replaced yours, it is a good idea to do so before winter hits. Getting a flat battery in the winter months can present a range of risks, including being stranded in adverse weather or on a dark road.

Learn To Drive In Hazardous Weather

There are courses you can take that teach you how to handle driving in adverse and hazardous weather. This can be invaluable if you are nervous about driving in poor conditions. Do some research into the driving training providers locally to find the best options.

Get Breakdown Cover

Breakdown cover is a crucial thing for any driver. It can help cut the cost of being rescued when your car breaks down and give you the peace of mind that you will have help available when you need it. You should ensure that your breakdown cover is suitable for your needs. It can be beneficial to get breakdown cover that offers at-home car starting services in the event that your car won’t start over the winter. This will ensure that you can always get where you need to go.