Your 10-Point Winter Car Checklist

Here at Take My Scrap Car, we like to think the advice and support we offer extends so much further than simple car scrapping and recycling alone. Which may be our bread and butter, so to speak, but we’re also on-board with anything to do with road safety in general.

And that’s why we thought we’d take the opportunity to share with you a few important pointers, prior to the worst of the winter weather. It’s not as if driving during the Great British winter is particularly pleasant at the best of times. But if your car isn’t in the best possible condition, it can be downright hazardous in the extreme.

So with this in mind, here’s a quick rundown of 10 important things you should think about tackling in the days and weeks running up to winter:

1. First up, be sure to give each of the tyres on your car a thorough inspection. Note for any signs of damage, excessive wear and any issues regarding pressure. Then be sure to correct them immediately.
2. In some areas of the UK where winter driving conditions are particularly treacherous, it’s worth considering having specialist winter tyres fitted. You might be surprised just how big of a difference they can make during the colder months of the year.
3. Check what the manufacturer of your tyres has to say about inflation and deflation during the winter. When the weather is at its coldest and there is very little traction on the roads, most manufacturers recommend deflating car tyres very slightly.
4. If you are experiencing any battery issues whatsoever, you might want to think about giving your battery a full health check before the winter. Just as soon as the cold weather sets in, it could really do a number on your battery and kill every bit of power your car has access to.
5. If it’s been quite a while since you had your car professionally serviced, it’s definitely a good idea to get this done ahead of the winter weather. The kinds of issues that may not have posed a problem during the summer could prove to be far more severe and dangerous during the worst of the weather.
6. Take the time right now to set up an emergency box in your car. Which should contain the basic supplies you will need, should you break down in bad weather. Emergency clothing, blankets, batteries, something to eat and drink, perhaps even an emergency mobile phone, first aid supplies and so on.
7. Decide right now whether you believe your windscreen wipers are going to be able to cope with the snow, ice and general nastiness set to attack your car in the near future. Unless they are of the highest possible quality and in pristine condition, you might want to think about upgrading them.
8. If you don’t go ahead with a full professional servicing for your car, it’s at least worth checking all fluid levels as soon as possible. The most important of which being anti-freeze, without which you could be headed for a world of potential problems.
9. This is also the time to ensure that you are using a high-quality windscreen washer fluid that is designed not to freeze in cold temperatures. If you continue to use a standard summer fluid, chances are it will freeze and cause significant damage to the tubes and bottle.
10. Last but not least, if you’ve been considering upgrading your car in general ahead of the winter weather, why not consider scrapping and recycling? With the help of Take My Scrap Car, you’ll receive the best possible price for your old vehicle and we’ll even organise free collection.

For more information on anything to do with responsible car scrapping and recycling, get in touch with the Take My Scrap Car customer service team today.