Having your car ready for the change of seasons from summer, to autumn and winter is something every motorist should bear in mind. These two late year seasons can provide the most difficult and at times dangerous driving conditions for motorists.
They are 2 main areas to consider for this time of year - your vehicle and also some essential items that you should carry in your car.
It goes without saying that there are some obvious areas that you need to consider, with safety being at the forefront.
Brakes & Tyres
Being able to stop safely and without slipping or sliding is essential. From autumn onward we are likely to experience less than ideal road surfaces for traction. Leaves make the roads greasy and slippery, rain adds to this and can create flooded areas or aquaplane issues and then of course there is the occurrence of ice and at times snow.
So you need to have faith in your brakes and tyres. You can arrange a check with us any time and we can check the efficiency of your brakes for wear and tear and performance and also your tyres, to ensure the tread is suitable for the terrain and weather.
Windscreen wipes and screen wash
As well as being able to stop efficiently, you also need to be able to see! Summer and then the change of seasons can impact the windscreen wiper blades, and this is the time of year you need them to be efficient. Check your blades to ensure the rubber is still good and not smearing on the blades.
Make sure you have plenty of screenwash too, with anti-freeze added for those cold days. Spray from the road at this time of year will mean your screen is always in need of cleaning, so make sure your levels are topped up!
The RAC have actually created an acronym to help your remember the key things for winter driving - FORCES.
F - Fuel
It’s an obvious one, but you need fuel! Winter can cause more traffic delays which means using more fuel in stop start weather, you may also have to deviate off route if road conditions are bad. So be well fueled!
O - Oil
It’s always good to check your oil. With extra strain on the engine that winter can bring, you need to ensure that it is well protected. Use your dipstick to check oil levels. Park your car on level ground and leave it for 20 mins or more to settle and then check levels.
R - Rubber
This is where the tyres and wiper blades come in. Make sure your tyre tread is good and that your blades are wiping and clearing your screen well.
C - Coolant
Make sure the engine has cooled down pre-checking. This is an important check, the coolant is a mix of water and of anti-freeze and is what helps to keep the engine cool, particularly when it may be working harder in worse conditions. We can check and top this up for you if you wish.
E - Electrics
Modern cars have much more parts that rely on electricity than ever before. So making sure your car battery is up to scratch is very important. You can arrange a car battery check with us
You should also make sure all your bulbs are good so that headlights, brake lights and indicators are all working as they should.
S - Screen Wash
As already mentioned, it is well worth being fully topped up with screen wash. Make sure over winter you get one that can work up to -10 to -15 degrees to ensure no freezing!
Like anything, the key to driving safety in winter is preparation. Making sure your car is ready for the different weather could be invaluable. If you follow the advice above, your car should be in a good place for winter. If you think heavy snow is around the corner, then it may be worth having a torch and also some blankets in the car just in case! However with modern devices, using a car lighter adapter means you can cook, make hot drinks and run entertainment systems, so you should survive!
Book you car in for a winter tyres and brake check, or to have your battery tested today.
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