Winter Car Maintenance
According to the AA, this year the return to work in January after the Festive Season was their busiest period. Despite the relatively mild autumn and winter the long Christmas break took its toll on our cars health and welfare. Many of them, it seems, just didn't fancy the return to the world of work. While we may have some sympathy with that attitude, the unwillingness to start is often a headache we can do without. In general we are more likely to breakdown, have an accident or need assistance during the winter months, but good winter maintenance can help to avoid frustration, delays and costly repairs.
Winter maintenance checklist:
€ General maintenance all year round will help - checking the tyre pressure, the oil level and in winter keeping the engine cooling system and screen wash topped up with the correct antifreeze are task that should be done regularly.
€ Starting the engine in cold weather can be harder than normal. Make sure that the engine is getting the most out of the battery by turning off the electrics until the car has started. Once a battery is over five years old it may begin to struggle and particularly so in cold weather, if possible replace an older worn battery at the start of winter.
€ Before driving always ensure that windows are completely clean, you can purchase covers to protect from frost and they can save time and inconvenience on dark cold mornings. If you live in an area where snow is a frequent winter problem consider investing in snow chains.
€ Headlights also need to be clean and clear so check for cracks and dirt and clean them regularly. Brakes need to be at their best so check brake fluid levels, this should be done twice a year at least and it's certainly worth doing this at the start of winter.
€ During the winter chips and cracks to the bodywork can damage the car's rust proofing treatment so it's important to pay special attention to any that occur and to deal with them promptly. Most winters in the UK are damp rather than freezing but both conditions can bring particular problems by damaging rust proofing.
€ Gritted roads can result in chips to paintwork or on the underside of the car. Inspect wheel arches and other less visible bodywork. In addition to chips the grit contains salt, which is highly corrosive. After prolonged periods of snow and ice it is worth cleaning the underside of the car and applying a rust prevention product - whether on not you find damage.
€ Persistent damp conditions will also encourage rust so again, before and after winter rust protection treatments are a good investment. Rust prevention is a far better action than rust treatment, as once the rust has a hold it is likely to spread and can be costly to repair.
Winter maintenance checklist:
€ General maintenance all year round will help - checking the tyre pressure, the oil level and in winter keeping the engine cooling system and screen wash topped up with the correct antifreeze are task that should be done regularly.
€ Starting the engine in cold weather can be harder than normal. Make sure that the engine is getting the most out of the battery by turning off the electrics until the car has started. Once a battery is over five years old it may begin to struggle and particularly so in cold weather, if possible replace an older worn battery at the start of winter.
€ Before driving always ensure that windows are completely clean, you can purchase covers to protect from frost and they can save time and inconvenience on dark cold mornings. If you live in an area where snow is a frequent winter problem consider investing in snow chains.
€ Headlights also need to be clean and clear so check for cracks and dirt and clean them regularly. Brakes need to be at their best so check brake fluid levels, this should be done twice a year at least and it's certainly worth doing this at the start of winter.
€ During the winter chips and cracks to the bodywork can damage the car's rust proofing treatment so it's important to pay special attention to any that occur and to deal with them promptly. Most winters in the UK are damp rather than freezing but both conditions can bring particular problems by damaging rust proofing.
€ Gritted roads can result in chips to paintwork or on the underside of the car. Inspect wheel arches and other less visible bodywork. In addition to chips the grit contains salt, which is highly corrosive. After prolonged periods of snow and ice it is worth cleaning the underside of the car and applying a rust prevention product - whether on not you find damage.
€ Persistent damp conditions will also encourage rust so again, before and after winter rust protection treatments are a good investment. Rust prevention is a far better action than rust treatment, as once the rust has a hold it is likely to spread and can be costly to repair.
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