Get your car winter ready

Temperatures across Courier Country have plummeted well below zero over the last week. Cars require extra attention in the winter – so here are some handy tips. Fit winter tyres When temperatures fall below seven degrees, winter tyres provide more grip than normal rubber and their performance in snowy and wet conditions is vastly superior. They can make such a difference that countries including Germany and Austria have made them compulsory during the winter months. Stay warm and safe Getting stuck by the side of the road due to a breakdown or an accident is never a pleasant experience, but it’s far worse in the depths of winter. Break down in a remote enough place on a cold enough night and you could find yourself in real danger of hypothermia.

It’s important, therefore, that you carry some blankets and warm clothing to keep your body temperature up if you get stuck. Throw a sleeping bag in the boot.

Keep a shovel and reflective triangles in the boot as well. The former can dig you out of trouble if you get stuck in snow and the latter warns other road users of your presence. Some light work With days getting shorter, now is a good time to make sure your lights are working. Switch the headlights on and walk around the car, checking each bulb in turn. Top up vital fluids Winter’s salty roads and inclement weather mean you’re likely to use far more windscreen washer fluid than normal, so make sure you’ve got plenty in the bottle. In the summer, you can use more water than washer fluid, but the fluid should be less diluted in winter because the fluid has an anti-freezing agent in it. Snow chains These aren’t compulsory in the UK but are in much of Europe – worth noting if you’re going on a winter holiday.

Preparing your car for the winter months can make all the difference.