Six steps to winter-proof your car before the frost sets in
YOU don’t need me to remind you of the weather we’ve have this year — the extremes of wet, cold and dry drought.
The chances are we’ll get more of the same over the winter.
That’s why it is so important to plan now to make sure you are mobile when the need arises.
It means having your vehicle(s) in tip-top condition.
There’s only one way to make sure of that: check, repair and replace before the onset of dark evenings, frosty mornings and wet, slippery roads.
Treat what follows as a simple-and-short checklist — but regard it as a call to action too.
You can most certainly save money by taking a close look yourself at some areas of, and items in, your car.
But never go do-it-yourself on anything to do with electrical or safety.
List what you can safely do - and what needs specialist care. service history is worth a lot when you sell. It reassures a potential buyer the vehicle has been well looked after.
a while to check and list the little things that wear and tear (slightly noisy exhaust, looseness in the steering, rattle in the engine compartment). They can end up costing more if let deteriorate. Fix what you can – if you can. But I repeat: don’t get involved with any element of safety or electrics.
not ignore a dashboard light if it comes on. Cars are so electrical these days that little things can quickly become costly monsters. Don’t delay. Ring your dealer to see if you are safe to drive the car to the garage.
are a constant source of trouble — judging by official figures. Incorrectly focused headlights, for example, fail huge numbers at the NCT. The reason? We just don’t give them enough attention. They should be at their best all the time but especially now with long periods of darkness looming. Just get them done at your garage and have a mechanic thoroughly check every one. And regularly check them yourself between garage visits. For example: have a family member stand behind the car while you press the brake pedal to make sure the lights are working.
also hugely neglect our tyres, the only four contacts we have with the road. Big numbers are failing the NCT. Check them in detail for lumps, uneven wear, cuts and pressure. Under-inflated tyres, for example, soak up fuel, over-inflated can affect traction. This is a major safety area. Change if in any doubt. Buy good quality new tyres. Take no chances. Check the spare if you have one.