Tips for looking after your car in winter: winterproofing your vehicle
Take a look at our tips and tricks for winter car maintenance
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Winter weather can be a real pain and mean problems for your car. Colder temperatures bring new challenges that can put you at risk on the roads if not considered and can cause wear and tear to your vehicle.
It’s important to keep on top of car maintenance at the best of times, but even more so when we’re tackling wind, snow, ice and rain.
Take a look at our top tips for winterproofing your car to keep you safe on the roads.
Check your car battery
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Cold weather can reduce your car’s battery strength by as much as 35% when temperatures hit zero degrees or lower. When it’s freezing out, it’s harder for the battery to create power and keep you moving.
Sam Sheehan, our motoring editor, explained: “During winter, batteries tend to work harder to make sure the vehicle is operating as it should.
“In fact, they need to generate extra power to start cold engines, sustain the correct functioning of heaters inside the cabin and support the increased use of lights as days get shorter and darker.
“If you notice that your car is taking a while to start, it might be time to replace the battery. For the time being, just fire up the ignition in five-second bursts and try starting the motor again after 30 seconds.
“Batteries don’t last forever and, generally speaking, need changing about every five years. So, since flat or faulty batteries are the most common cause of car breakdowns, it’s essential to keep an eye on its condition to avoid being left stranded on the side of the road.
“Look out for signs such as dim headlights, low water levels in the battery, clicking sounds when starting the car, a rotten egg smell from the engine, and so on. You can also test your car’s battery with a multimeter and check that it’s no fewer than 12.6 volts.
“But if you don’t feel comfortable checking the battery yourself, don’t worry – it will be tested during your annual service.”
Keep your windows and wiper blades clean
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With the rain, snow and low sun that winter often brings, it can be hard to have great visibility on the roads.
The Highway Code highlights the importance of having good visibility, stating you must be able to see properly out of your windows at all times. A dirty windscreen could land you with a fine of up to £1,000.
Before you head off, use the air-con to demist your windscreen and reduce condensation. You can use a de-icer on your windows if they’re icy and use a window scraper to speed up the process.
Never pour boiling or hot water onto your windows, as the change in temperature can cause the glass to crack. A heated windscreen is great in this case, as you can expect the ice to start melting in one to two minutes.
When you’re cleaning the windows, make sure you inspect your wiper blades and ensure they can clear your view alongside the washer fluid.
Make sure your wipers aren’t on auto when there’s a cold forecast overnight, as they could get damaged and scratch the glass if frozen to the windscreen.
Monitor your tyre pressure
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A drop in temperature can cause your tyres to lose pressure – pressure that’s vital for maintaining grip and traction on icy roads.
It’s important that you keep your tyres at optimum pressure to ensure your safety on the road.
Legally, the minimum tyre tread is 1.6mm, which – for checking purposes – is more or less the depth of the edge of a 20p coin. Just insert the coin into the tread grooves, and if you can’t see the outer band of your 20p, your tyres are within the limit, and you can lawfully hit the road.
It’s recommended in winter that your tyres have a minimum tread of 3mm, as this can help you reduce stopping distance on wet or icy surfaces.
Keep your fuel tank more than half full
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This isn’t a ploy to have you spending more on fuel – keeping your tank more than half full is a scientifically-backed way to keep your car healthy.
When water vapour comes into contact with hot surfaces, condensation takes place. If your fuel tank isn’t full in the winter, this reaction can take place in your fuel tank and dilute your fuel. The build-up of water vapour and moisture can put some of your vehicle’s components under strain or even cause them to freeze.
It’s rare that you’ll experience freezing in your car, but keeping your tank nicely stocked is a good way to keep your car health in check.
Get rid of leaves under the bonnet
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It seems random, but soggy fallen leaves under your bonnet aren’t just an aesthetic nightmare – they can be a safety risk.
Leaves will decompose over time, and this can stain your car’s paintwork, but leaves stuck under the hood can cause issues like blocked rain drains. This means that water could end up in your cabin.
Taking the time to remove those leaves in the winter is a simple way to keep your car happy. In general, a good winter cleaning routine will mean your car stays in the best condition possible and isn’t damaged by the elements.