The
leaves are turning and the temperatures are dropping. I heard that frost
has already hit some parts of the UK. It's definitely a good time to check
that your vehicle is fit for the winter ahead.
Of
course the parts of the car that will save your life top your priority list. In
this post I will be sharing certain preventive measures you must take to prep
yourself safer travels.
1. Check
tyres have sufficient tread by
slipping a 20 pence coin in the grooves - if you can see the outline of the
outer band your tyre does not have enough tread. This condition of tyres is
very dangerous and is in fact not legal.
2. Brakes also need checking. You might not pay much attention but
one of the most important components of a car is the functionality of brakes.
You have to ensure that they work smoothly and in time. They might seem fine on
dry days but add in rain, ice or snow your brakes are the main thing between
you and a potentially fatal accident.
This
small effort helps you a long way. It could save your money too. Change your
brake pads for very little cost before they wear down too much and damage your
brake discs. Waiting to hear the grinding noise means you’ve probably left it
too late and your garage bill will be higher.
3. Check
that your interior heat/cold air flow
systems work. De-misting your windscreen is essential, especially on days
where you jump into your cold car and your breath immediately causes every
window to fog. Make sure you have a solution to this too.
It
might seem mad as temperatures fall but you should get your air conditioning
checked, not just to keep you cool but to act as an efficient de-mister. Get
your air conditioning gas levels checked and systems serviced regularly to
avoid issues. Top tip- check
out Calmac
Tyres Autocentre in
Northampton for all your air conditioning requirements.
Now
is a go time to make sure your in car heating, heated seats, heated windscreen
defrost systems and heated wing mirrors are all working before the cold weather
really hits. Sometimes just a simple fuse change can restore service.
4. Once
winter really takes hold don't forget your car's
underside and body work. Salt on roads can corrode so make sure you
regularly at least rinse if not wash your car and consider and underbody wash
occasionally at the car wash.
And
last but not least, consider buying a roadside assistance service especially if
you are likely to be carrying vulnerable people like children or older people
who might struggle to cope with waiting for help at the roadside.
Do read the
small print though as to what vehicles they cover (some don't assist with
larger people carriers or cars over ten years old) and exactly what services they offer. For instance you don't need to pay extra for European cover if you never drive overseas, and if you would like a rental car to continue your journey rather than a lift in a breakdown truck then make sure that is included in your policy.