British winters are harder on cars than any other season. Salt, cold, damp and dark all conspire to find your car's weaknesses. Here's our nine-point checklist to get you ahead of the first frost.
1. Battery
Batteries lose around a third of their cranking power below freezing. If yours is over three years old, get it tested. We do it free.
2. Antifreeze
Should be a 50:50 mix protecting down to roughly -35°C. Wrong concentration and you risk a cracked block.
3. Tyres
Consider winter or all-season tyres if you drive country routes regularly. Otherwise, make sure summer tyres have plenty of tread.
4. Wipers and washer fluid
Wiper rubber goes hard in the cold. Replace if streaking. Use winter-grade washer fluid that won't freeze in the jets.
5. Lights
Shorter days, more night driving. Get all lights checked and polished — yellowed headlights cut visible range in half.
6. Heater and demister
Demister fault on day one of frost = late for work. Test now.
7. Door seals
Treat with rubber-friendly silicone spray to stop them freezing shut.
8. Tyre pressures
Air pressure drops about 1 PSI for every 10°C colder. Check weekly through winter.
9. Emergency kit
Blanket, torch, jump leads, ice scraper, de-icer, hi-vis vest and phone charger. We keep a kit ready for £29.
Free winter health check available on appointment — get peace of mind in under 30 minutes.