DIY winter preparation

Rob Marshall looks at how winter motoring presents unique challenges and describes how simple checks can enhance reliability, increase efficiency, plus save you both money and inconvenience.

Everything you need to know about keeping your car running through the cold season.

Despite modern vehicles being more reliable than ever, they are not immune to leaving you stranded in the cold. Aside from the practical difficulties of an immobile car, the extra financial strain tends not to be appreciated during the festive period, even if you have breakdown cover.

You do not have to be a master technician to reduce the risk of a breakdown. A series of DIY preventative checks, most of which can be performed on a domestic driveway, will help get you and your car through the worst that winter can present. While a thorough service should address most issues, we have assumed that your vehicle’s recommended annual maintenance schedule was carried out earlier in the year. We have excluded most routine service checks that are not weatherdependent, such as inspecting the brake pads/discs and suspension dampers. The following checklist, therefore, is intended for any DIYER, regardless of ability, to follow logically with minimal specialist tools. Some advice prioritises prolonging the car’s life and some recommendations might seem to be overkill, especially if you are running an older car with the intention to scrap, or replace, it in the spring. Many of our tips tips are also essential for safety and reliability reasons.