5 Tips For Preparing Your New Car For Winter
Published Date: 24th Nov 2020
With the winter months arriving it’s worth making sure you have all the bases covered so you don't get caught short as the colder weather draws-in.
Make sure you are stocked up with the essentials and items for worst case scenarios
Check your tyres are in tip top condition & you are prepared for a puncture
Top up your screenwash and keep a backup supply
Check and top up your anti-freeze levels
Check your lights, keep some spare bulbs
Make Sure You Are Stocked Up With The Essentials
It is easy to get caught short on that first frosty morning of the winter, get yourself a scraper (or two) and some defroster now.
Remember pouring hot water onto a frozen windscreen is never a good idea, and while the chances of a cracked windscreen have been somewhat overstated over the years, there is still a chance of it happening. If you pour hot water onto your frozen windscreen, especially if you already have some minor damage (a chip for example) there is a chance of damaging your windscreen.
If you have a new car, you’ll probably think it’s unlikely it will ever breakdown but that doesn’t mean you cannot get stranded in extreme weather conditions (stuck in the snow for example).
Get some essentials in your boot and glove compartment for that worst-case scenario no matter how remote you think the chances are. These items could be useful one day: a shovel, hi-vis jacket, and warning triangle (compulsory in some countries), a torch and a blanket.
If your car is stranded and you have to leave it on foot a good pair of walking boots or wellies stored in your boot may also be useful along with a warm winter coat. You’ll probably need your phone too, so a portable mobile phone charger/powerbank could be very useful indeed to make sure you don’t get caught short with no battery power left.
The chances are slim and hopefully you will never get stranded in the middle of nowhere but having the essentials could be a godsend in the worst case scenario.
Check Your Tyres & Be Prepared For A Puncture
As the colder weather and increased chances of ice and snow draws-in your tyres and the amount of grip they will give you is going to be increasingly important.
Check the tread and condition of your tyres, make sure there are no bulges, bald areas or slits.
You should also check your tyre pressure too, consult your owner’s manual as a lot manufacturers recommend higher tyre pressure (3-5psi above normal) for more demanding winter conditions like snow.
Be prepared for a puncture, make sure you know where your spare wheel, jack or puncture repair kit are and check they are all in good working condition.
If you live in a particularly challenging area and are tackling steep hills, snow and ice on a regular basis a good set of winter tyres could also be a massive advantage.
Top Up Your Screen Wash & Keep A Backup Supply
During the winter months you’ll find your windows needing plenty of windscreen washer fluid on a regular basis and road gritters can also add to the problem of a dirty windscreen. It’s not a good idea to get caught short with a dirty windscreen causing poor visibility so keep your windscreen washer fluid topped up.
Screen wash also lowers the freeing point of your washer fluid mix and a good backup supply in your boot during the winter months in an excellent idea, you can even have a ready mixed solution of water and washer fluid.
Check & Top Up Your Anti-Freeze Levels
Anti-freeze is extremely important to stop your car’s coolant from freezing. You can purchase an anti-freeze tester which are relatively inexpensive and check your levels, typically you should have a 50/50 mix of water and anti-freeze. If you don’t have the confidence to do the check and top-up yourself you can book your car into your local garage for a ‘pre-winter’ service.
Check Your Lights & Keep Some Spare Bulbs
Often overlooked; during the winter months a lot of people will be leaving early in the morning when it’s still dark and/or coming home in the dark, so it’s a good idea to check your lights are all in working order. You may even want to consider having a spare set of bulbs too (and fuses) in your glove compartment.