Winter is approaching us and we all know that what that means. Your motor might not be doing good when it comes to the coldness, but if you have some time to maintain your motor you can help it through the worst weather possible then read along. With massive temperature drops and poor weather we will see the number of breakdowns is more than likely to increase. So here are some top tips for basic motor maintenance that will see you through into spring.
Get your car service:
Is your car due a service? If so, get it done before the winter. Even though the cold can cause lots of issues with your cars, most of them could be prevented if you took it for regular servicing. Also, on the plus side most garages have a winter offer.
Check the battery:
The first priority is the battery. During the winter month it is under so much strain because of the cold temperature it will reduce the output but we all put extra strain on it by increasing using heater, blowers and turning the lights up higher. Problems with the battery may mean it is flat so try giving it a jump start but if that still don’t work get it checked out and replaced if need to.
Top up engine coolant with antifreeze:
Coolant should be half water and half antifreeze. You will need to keep topping up with antifreeze because over time it will become diluted. Don’t not make the mistake of topping up with water during the year because the anti-freeze will get over diluted and will freeze during cold weather. By doing this can lead you to a very large repair bill because of your engine over-heating.
Check the condition of your tyres:
Your tyres are both key to steering and braking. They must be in good condition. You should check the tyres for pressure and tread depth. We would recommend a minim of 3mm depth in the winter, over the legal minimum of 1.6mm because it gives better grip
If you wanted to you could look at changing from summer tyres to winter tyres as they also offer increased grip in snow slush or ice.
Clean your lights:
You also should check all your lights, indicators and rear reflectors are clean. Make sure they are not any crack lenses or any blown bulbs. On top of the main ones you shouldn’t forget to check full beam headlights and fog lights.
Wash your windscreen and wipers:
Thoroughly clean the inside and out of your windscreen. Top your screen washer fluid with antifreeze and make sure your wipers are in good shape. Before winter catches you, you should check for any cracks or chips in the windscreen as they will get bigger in the cold weather.
Other important areas:
Keep at least a water of a tank full of fuel in case delays and check your oil. If you know how check your brake pads, brake disc and brake fluid to make sure your breaks are responsive fast if not you can always take your motor to get them checked. Also ensure the fan belts and alternator drive belts are tight, and ask them to check everything else is in good condition.