Quick Tips for your Car this Winter

While the changing season brings exciting events such as Halloween, Bonfire Night and Christmas - it also brings changing weather (which isn’t always appreciated). This sudden drop in temperature can affect your vehicle massively if you don’t take proper precautions. We have to be more alert when driving due to icy roads and darker days and our cars take longer to get going before a journey too. This is why we’ve put together some of our top tips to keep your vehicle in good condition this winter. We hope this guide will help you to stay safe on the roads during the most wonderful time of the year.

The first thing we suggest checking is your engine oil as it’s one of the most important parts of your vehicle. Once you’re parked on level ground, you can open the bonnet and remove the dipstick. You should then remove any excess oil and find the minimum and maximum markers on the dipstick. Once you’ve done this you can pop the stick in and out to see how much oil is in the engine - if it’s low get it topped up ASAP. Other things to check under your bonnet include your brake fluid, screenwash and antifreeze levels.

Your tyres are important as they keep your vehicle moving on the road - to check that they’re roadworthy you need to check the tread depth. The legal requirement for all tyres in the UK 1.6 mm. We also recommend checking your tyres sidewall for any cuts or bulges. If you spot anything unusual it’s always best to get a professional opinion and see if your tyres need to be replaced.

When it comes to the winter months we also suggest stocking up your car with emergency supplies such as a shovel for snow, ice-scraper and de-icer for the icy mornings, blankets and coats for extra warmth and snacks and water (just incase you get stuck somewhere)!

Is your MOT or service due? You can use our quick, easy and free online booking tool to arrange an appointment. All you need to do is enter your registration number and select the service you’d like. This tool is available 24/7 so you can use our service at any time of the day, even during our closing hours.