Making sure your car is in a good state of repair is important throughout the year. However, vehicle safety takes on particular significance when the weather is at its worst.
All indications suggest that the UK is heading for a pretty unpleasant winter. Not that this is unusual, but still – a stark reminder of the importance of planning ahead.
Figuring out whether your car is ready for the big freeze could mean enlisting the services of a local mechanic. Either way, it really is a small price to pay to keep yourself (and everyone else) safe this winter.
Here are the main things you should be looking at right now:
Battery
Vehicle batteries are usually quite good at telling you when something is wrong. Regular breakdowns, difficulties starting on cold days, batteries that drain faster than they should – all indicative of an issue of some kind. New car batteries can be surprisingly cheap, so don’t take chances on a bum battery this winter.
Rust
Often overlooked, issues with rust can spread and accelerate like wildfire during the winter. What looks like a small problem today could turn out to be a major headache come spring. If there are any signs of deterioration to the bodywork of your car, consider having them inspected.
Tyres
Two things to be mindful of here – tyre pressures and tread depth. Basically, anything that compromises your car’s capacity to maintain a firm grip on the road should be taken seriously. Sleet, snow, ice and freezing rain make for awful driving conditions at the best of times. All exacerbated by tyres in a poor state of repair, or improperly inflated.
Wheels
Likewise, ensuring your wheels are correctly aligned and balanced is a winter road safety essential. Wheel balancing and alignment is a quick and easy maintenance job, which doesn’t cost a great deal. Rather than simply assuming your wheels are all pointing in the right direction, it’s far better to ensure they actually are.
Lights
Any signs of damage to your car’s lights should be taken seriously and patched up where necessary. Freezing cold temperatures and winter weather in general can be hazardous for lights, increasing the likelihood of blown bulbs, cracked casings and so on.
Brakes
Most brake pads and discs don’t give much of an indication they’re on their way out until they’re well and truly worn. For obvious reasons, it is far better to ensure they are replaced before they fall into a sorry state of repair. This can again be a quick, easy and affordable job, which can prove to be a real lifesaver in winter.
Fans and Heaters
Last up, a car you cannot see out of is a fundamentally dangerous car. As is a car so cold and uncomfortable you cannot focus fully on the road ahead. If you suspect there may be any issues with your car’s interior fans and heaters, now’s the time to get them looked at.
