Get Your Car Ready For Winter

No one likes driving in bad weather, but as the evenings draw in and the days – and nights – get colder, that’s exactly what we will all be doing at some point.

The most important thing is not to wait until it turns cold to check your car over. As anyone who has ever run out of anti-freeze will know, it can be very inconvenient to have a problem, no matter when it occurs!

So what should you be ready for? Well, apart from anti-freeze you should also make sure your screen wash is topped up. Bad weather in winter will mean you’ll be using this far more than you would in the summer, so be prepared to check it as often as necessary.

It is also vital – especially in icy or snowy conditions – to ensure that your car tyres are pumped up to the correct pressure. Check in your vehicle’s handbook to double check this if you are not sure. If your tyres are too soft it could lead to a loss of grip on poor quality road surfaces.

These are the main essentials to be checked, but they aren’t the only things that need to be thought about. For example, during the summer you won’t have any cause to use your car’s heating system, but you’ll certainly need it when the temperature starts dropping. Make sure it is working well and get it fixed as soon as possible if there are any problems.

In fact, you may find it beneficial to get your car checked over by a qualified mechanic before the weather turns bad. This can be a good way to put your mind at rest, especially if you aren’t confident at checking everything.

But there are other things that everyone can do, and these could be life savers if you should break down at an inopportune moment.

Firstly, breakdown cover is more than worth it in the winter months. At least if the worst does happen you only need to make a phone call. Secondly, you should ensure that you have some basic items in your car at all times. A blanket and a first aid kit are both essential, and a warning triangle to put on the road if you break down is a good addition to any boot too.

But of course no matter how hard you try, you cannot prevent every occurrence and every accident. Sometimes black ice can get the better of us, even if you are driving at a relatively slow speed.

That’s why UK car insurance is essential, so it’s worth making sure your cover is up to date. And in the end, driving responsibly will help ensure that you get through the winter safely.

Paul McIndoe writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.