How to Prepare Your Car for Winter
Don’t let winter stop you – get ready for the cold weather with your free Yuasa Battery Check.
The unpredictable winter weather throws up some difficult and hazardous driving conditions. By following this simple guide before the weather turns cold you can make sure your car is ready for whatever the winter throws at it.
Before performing these checks park your vehicle on a flat, level service and make sure the engine is cold. You may need to consult your vehicles owner’s manual for more information. If you are unsure, leave it to the professionals and find a local garage that offers a winter car check.
1) Battery
Get your battery checked by a garage to make sure it is not defective or heavily discharged. Most garages that stock Yuasa batteries can perform a free battery test for you, this usually only take a few minutes.
If your car has not been used for a while the battery may need charging before you use it. Yuasa sell a range of high performance, easy to use smart charges and battery testing devices.
Find out more about why batteries can fail during the winter
2) Tyres
Carefully check the condition of each of your tyres paying close attention to the depth of tread. Inadequate tyre tread will result in less grip so it is important to make there is sufficient depth. At least 3mm is recommended. Also check your tyre pressure is correct and look for any splits, cracks or bulges in the tyres. If you have any reason for concern visit your local tyre fitter.
Remember to also check the spare wheel and tyre if you have one.
If you live in an area where snow is common it might be worth changing to winter tyres with deeper tread.
3) Screen wash
Make sure you have enough screen wash and that the concentrate is high enough for the cold temperatures, this is displayed on the back of the screen wash bottle. Not all screen washes are the same so look for the level of protection your chosen product provides. Protection down to -10°C is fine in most areas, but if you live in areas prone to extreme weather find a product with -20°C protection.
It is important to use a good quality screen wash during the winter to protect your washer pump fuse and windscreen wiper circuit. Failure of these systems could render your wipers useless.
4) Wiper blades
Check your wiper blades for any damage, such as splits, and replace if necessary. Wiper blades can often become frozen onto the windscreen glass on frosty mornings and they are very easy to damage.
5) Lights
Check that your headlights, side lights, indicators, rear lights, brake lights are all working correctly. If any of the lights have blown bulbs or are damaged replace them.
6) Antifreeze
Make sure that the coolant is between the minimum and maximum markers and that you have sufficient anti-freeze in the coolant. Testing kits are available for home use but it might be easier to ask a local garage to check the strength for you.
Major and expensive engine damage can be caused if your engine freezes due to a lack of coolant or insufficient level of anti-freeze.
7) Lubricate
If extremely cold temperatures are forecast there can be a risk of your doors and locks freezing. To prevent this rub a little silicone-based furniture polish on the rubber door seals, it’s best to do this with a cloth being very careful not to get it on your vehicles paint work. For the locks, spray a tiny amount of lubricant, such as WD-40 into each to help prevent freezing.
8) Be prepared
During the winter make sure you carry all of our important items so that you are ready for any eventuality.
Download your full guide here: How to Prepare Your Car for Winter
This webpage is intended as a guide only. Yuasa cannot be held responsible for any damage to person or property caused by following the information provided. Please consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual for manufacturer information. If you are not confident seek advice from an accredited industry professional.
