Winter officially lands in the UK a few days before Christmas.
After a relatively mild winter season last year, many motorists may have been lulled into a false sense of security for 2020.
But you need to be aware of the threat of wintery conditions, particularly if you do a lot of driving.
If you are going to be on the road a lot over the next few weeks and months, it pays to get a professional winter health check booked in.
Not only will this help you stay safe on the roads but optimising your car for wintery conditions will also increase your driving efficiency.
Your Quick and Convenient Winter Safety Check
Looking for a car check-up? There’s nowhere more convenient if you live or work in Manchester City Centre.
Based just off Deansgate, behind the Beetham Tower, you can park your car all day at Duffy Motors and pick it up on your way back home.
Book your car in for a winter check-up and we will charge for just a half hours labour.
During winter, it’s important that you check:
The battery
Your car battery can fail at any time of year, but the cold weather can interfere with the chemical reaction that goes on in the battery and make it more likely to fail. This can be more of a problem in batteries that are more than five years old.
If your battery sounds or feels like it is struggling on cold winter mornings, then it’s best to get it checked and replaced by an expert.
Tyres
Worn tyres can harm your control on wintery roads and reduce your stopping distance on ice.
Coolant
Your engine’s coolant (or antifreeze) level should be checked regularly to avoid causing damage to the engine.
Bulbs
Making sure your car’s lights are working is critical for your safety and the safety of other road users.
Wipers
Ready for frost on the outside of your window? A new set of wiper blades might be just what you need to speed up the morning routine.
Brakes
While we have your car up on the ramp, we’ll also perform a quick visual brake test to check for major faults.
Washer fluid
And because it’s the season for giving we’ll top you up on washer fluid as well.
Winter car checklist
Don’t have time to bring your car in? There are some simple things you can do at home to keep you safe and comfortable over the winter.
- Check the tyre pressure is within the safe range in your handbook and ensure your tread depth is at least 3mm.
- Make sure there is antifreeze in your radiator and washer bottle.
- Buy an ice scraper and de-icer and keep them in your vehicle glovebox.
- Pack an emergency bag including jumpers, blankets, food and drink, a high vis and a warning triangle.
- A thin coat of polish or Vaseline can stop rubber door seals freezing shit. A squirt of WD-40 should be enough to stop your locks freezing.
- Keep your windscreen clean inside and out and think about replacing your wiper blades.