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- Get your car serviced. If your car is due a service, get it booked in before the worst of the weather sets in. Many garages offer free or discounted car checks in the Winter, in the hopes of securing your business to make any repairs. If a garage near you is doing this, take up the offer and have the car checked over. The mechanic can find any small issue that might turn into a bigger problem over the Winter. This saves you risking the maintenance yourself.
- Check the battery. During the winter, your car battery can take a real hit. The cold temperatures can reduce the battery’s output, and you’ll be using it more as you use the lights and heating more than you would in the Summer. A car battery will last for around five years. If your car won’t start, get the battery checked and replaced.
- Check your tires. Tires are essential for both steering and braking, so have them looked at. Check the pressure and the tread. For Winter, you should have a tread depth of about 3mm for the best grip on icy roads. You could consider changing to winter tires for a better grip too. Make sure the whole wheel is in good condition too and arrange for alloy wheel refurb if you need it.
- Top up your engine coolant with anti-freeze. Engine coolant should be a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze. Many people top with up with water throughout the year, so the mix becomes diluted. This diluted mix can then freeze in winter, causing the engine to overheat and landing you with a large garage bill.
- Clean your lights. You’re likely to do a lot more driving in the dark over the winter, so make sure lights are all in good working order and keep them clean. Check all lights, rear reflectors, and indicators. Don’t forget to check full beam and fog lights too.
- Wash your windscreen. Give your windscreen a good clean both inside and outside the car. Top up your wipe fluid with anti-freeze to stop it freezing. Check your wiper blades for any nicks which could damage your windscreen. Make sure to check the windscreen too for any small chips or other damage, as these can grow in the cold or be further damaged by road grit or salt.
- Prepare for longer journeys. If you’re going to be driving a long way, check the weather forecast and road conditions first. Allow extra time for your trip so you can take it slowly, and keep an eye on any travel news.
- If you have multiple cars and have a passion for tweaking and modifying your car, then you might want to consider investing in a 2 post lifts for your garage. Investing in one will ensure that you can undertake key work and services safely and hassle-free,
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