As the colder air of fall starts to fill the air, you’re going to be searching for your warmer clothes to keep you warm during the impending winter. Just the same as people, cars also need some extra protection during the colder months. Keeping your car in the best condition can mean the difference between your beloved family vehicle starting each morning, or not. Here are some tips on how you can get your car ready for the winter.
Get Your Car Checked by Your Mechanic
Although there are many things you can check yourself, you need to know that other components of your car are in working order, especially if you’ve just purchased it. Although it was fully checked over when you bought the car, you need to make sure it’s ready for winter. The mechanic will be able to check the car’s thermostat, heater and brakes to make sure they are in good condition. It’s also a good time to get any problems with the bodywork fixed before the salt they spread on the roads in winter causes corrosion. It’s also useful to discover any irreparable faults as early as possible, so your search for used cars for sale can be budgeted for.
Check Your Tires
If the mechanic has recently seen your car then you’ll just need to keep an eye on a few things during the winter. Take a look at the tires to see what condition they’re in, and especially check for damage from nails in the tread and on the side walls. If you get lots of snow, it might be a good idea to invest in snow tires. They will help you grip the surface, and they’re designed to deal with harsh driving conditions. You could also get a set of snow chains, if they can be used in your area, as they’re a good idea if you don’t always see snow but need the extra traction if there is.
Check the Fluid Levels in the Engine
To help protect your engine from freezing in the winter, you need to make sure the coolant and the washer fluid are properly filled with the correct antifreeze. In the winter, your coolant will need more anti-freeze than in the summer, so you’ll need to check the levels. You also want to put a high concentration of anti-freeze washer fluid in the window washer reservoir. Otherwise, you won’t be able to clear your windscreen in bad weather.
Protect Your Car’s Bodywork
The salt that is put on the roads in winter is good at preventing ice forming. However, it’s also good at corroding car bodywork. One way you can prevent this is to regularly wash your car down to get the salt off the bodywork. You should also regularly apply a coat of wax to prevent the water reaching the paintwork.
By taking the time and money to get your vehicle ready in the fall, you can help to prevent many of the issues that stop cars from working during the winter.