Are you doing everything you can to make sure your vehicle is winter-ready before the weather properly turns? Do you know how to keep your car running smoothly during the winter months? Find out below how you can stay safe while driving this winter.

Is Driving More Dangerous in Winter?

Winter is the most dangerous time of the year to drive, with 9 out of 10 of the most dangerous days to drive (the days with the most reported accidents) occurring in winter, according to data collected by insurers over the past 7 years. This is because of considerably worse driving conditions; driving to work in the dark, increased risk of ice and snow, heavy rainfall, and leaves and other debris littering the roads. The best way to stay safe when driving throughout winter is to remind yourself that conditions are worse, and to take extra care. This means leaving increased stopping distances and not accelerating too quickly, turning or braking too hard on wet or icy roads, checking weather conditions before driving, and making sure that your car is working as well as it can.

There are three main areas that you need to be mindful of this winter: brakes, fluids, and battery.

The Problems with Brakes in Winter

Your brakes will see a lot more action in winter as you will need to brake more heavily when road conditions are wet or icy. Although this is caused by the weather getting colder, this will increase the risk of your brakes over-heating, which can mean they will need replacing sooner. You therefore need to listen out for any signs of worn brakes when driving.

You should also check your brakes after a drive on gritted roads, as grit (which is predominantly made of salt) can corrode or rust your brakes. If you notice spots of rust on your brakes, you should take your car to a garage so that they can help you determine if your brakes need replacing or not.

What Car Fluids Should I Check in Winter?

You should check and possibly top-up the different fluids in your car on a regular basis, although these may vary for each component. The fluids you should check this winter are:

Brake Fluid

In addition to checking the brakes themselves, you should also check your brake fluid level at least once a month, if not more. As previously explained, you will see more heavy brake use in winter so don’t be surprised if your brake fluid needs topping up slightly more than usual, however, if you notice it running out particularly quickly, you should bring your car in to your local garage as there may be a leak in your brake line.

Coolant/Anti-Freeze

This is especially important in winter as this will prevent your car’s cooling system from freezing overnight. Your coolant level should be checked regularly as any loss is a sign of leakage. During your vehicles annual service, the coolant strength should be checked and topped up as required. Depending on your vehicle type, your coolant system may not require a top-up.

Windscreen Washer

Good-quality windscreen washer fluid should be resistant to freezing in cold weather, so it’s important to choose the best one for your vehicle. Visibility is worse in winter months, with dark mornings and a glaring afternoon sun. When you add in the chance of mud, heavy rain, snow and grit, you get a dangerous combination that could lead to a serious accident, which is why it’s vital to make sure your windscreen washer levels are topped up. This is also a good opportunity to check your windscreen wipers to see if they are due a replacement.

How Can I Look After My Car Battery in Winter?

Your car battery is especially vulnerable during winter, and at 0°C your battery can lose around 35% of its strength, greatly increasing the likelihood of a breakdown or your car not starting at all (especially if your battery is over 3 years old).

There are lots of things you can do to help your car battery throughout winter, such as parking it under cover to keep it warm, and investing in a trickle charger/battery maintainer to slowly charge your car. You can read more about maintaining your battery in winter here, but the most important thing you can do to look after your battery is to book in for a Battery Health Check. This battery service includes checking for corrosion, checking voltage output, and checking the overall condition of the battery, and can be a vital service at the start of winter.

What Car Service Should I Get in Winter?

As previously mentioned, batteries are one of the main culprits for breakdowns, especially in winter, and we therefore recommend a Battery Health Check on all vehicles with a battery that’s at least 3 years old. If you are not due for your regular, annual service but you want to make sure that your car gets a full check-up before the cold sets in, then an interim service is a great option for you; this does not cover as much as a full service, but will still include checking your brakes (without removing the wheels), battery and fluid levels, which are all important to look after in winter.

If you want to book in a service to get your car winter-ready, please get in touch.