7 Tips to Get Your Car Winter Ready

Like it or not, winter is here. Your safety on the road is our concern, and besides for making sure that your car is running smoothly we would like to help make you feel safer behind the wheel. So, follow these 7 Tips to make sure your car is ready to stand up to the elements and doesn’t leave you stranded in the rain.

1. Change your oil

This is something that you should be doing at regular intervals. If you oil hasn’t been replaced is a while, consider replacing it with fresh oil. Clean oil reduces drag on the starter when a cold engine is cranked.

2. Check your battery

Cold weather starting requires a strong battery. Check your battery is fully charged and the terminals are clean of any corrosion and tightly fitted. Most car batteries only last 4 to 5 years, so check the age of your battery and consider replacing it.

3. Check and replace old window wipers

Your rubber wiper blades have a limited lifespan of a year or less. Exposure to the sun, extreme heat, or cold damage the rubber causing wipers to streak, smear, or chatter. This is no good for the rainy season and they need to be replaced.

4. Check your tyre pressure

Your tyres lose pressure as the temperature drops. Underinflated tyres offer less traction cause premature wear and tear making them more dangerous for wet roads. So, make sure that your tyres are inflated to your vehicle manufacturer specifications.

5. Keep your fuel tank full

Anything cold attracts moisture, and because your fuel tank gets cold in winter, moisture from the air inside your empty fuel tank condenses and drips down settling at the bottom. Your engine does not like water, so minimize this condensation effect by keeping your fuel tank full.

6. Check Your Heater and Defrosters

Make sure that your heater is blowing hot air, that your defrosters re-route hot air the windshield and that your electric defogger is working. You don’t want to be stuck in the driveway on a cold winter morning because you can’t see out your windshield.

7. Protect yourself

If you don’t have an emergency kit in your car, it’s time you get one. We also recommend that you prepare for winter and keep a torch, blanket, and umbrella in your boot… but hopefully you won’t be needing the first two.

Not only will you be well prepared for the colder winter months by implementing some of these measures, but you could also save yourself from a big repair bill. Car maintenance and servicing is a critical component of vehicle ownership. Your car plays an important part of your daily livelihood and we are committed to bringing you convenient, reliable, and affordable car service and maintenance. Check our what our customers have to say about us on Hellopeter and Google. If you have any other questions or concerns about your vehicle, feel free to talk to our customer service team through email, [email protected], or by phone, 087 803 9000.

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