When it comes to driving in winter, roads are much more perilous and it’s important to be prepared for every eventuality that may occur.
According to recent police reports, drivers are 20% more likely to have a road accident in winter than in at any other time of year.
With this in mind, in this article, we look at different ways to ensure your car is ready for the colder months ahead.
Book a Winter Service
Due to the harsher weather conditions in winter, road surfaces can be slippery from rainfall, ice, or snow. As this increases your chances of having an accident, it’s vital that you book your car in for a winter service to check that everything is working as it should be.
Check Your Car Battery
There’s nothing worse than breaking down in when it’s freezing cold outside! During the winter months your car battery is placed under more strain due to a combination of colder temperatures, using your heaters more often, and increased use of your car lights. Be sure to get your battery checked out before making any long journeys. If your car won’t start due to a flat battery, try giving it a jump start to power it back up again.
Top Up Your Engine Coolant
Over the spring and summer, we often get into the habit of topping up our engine with water to keep it cool – however, over time, this dilutes the anti-freeze within the coolant. As temperatures begin to plummet, anti-freeze is essential to prevent the cooling from icing up. Topping it up with coolant should stop this from occurring. Remember, your coolant should be a 50/50 split between water and anti-freeze.
Breakdown Cover and Insurance
Despite best efforts, accidents can occur at any time, particularly in tougher weather conditions – so taking out the appropriate insurance is even more important across winter. This will help to protect you against the costs of such unforeseen events. There are many different types of insurance available, including breakdown cover and GAP insurance. Each one can include different policies which you can add on, so be sure to do your research to find the most suitable cover for you.
Prepare a Winter Emergency Pack
In case of a breakdown, it’s a good idea to have an emergency pack in your car full of winter essentials to keep you going whilst waiting for your breakdown service to get to you. This could include a car phone charger, warm blankets or fleeces, a hat, gloves, bottled water, snacks, a bright torch, and a vehicle first aid kit in case of minor injuries.