When the weather gets much colder in the winter, keeping your hands warm isn’t the only problem you need to think about.
In fact, according to AXA, there are 36% more flat tyres in the winter and a 51% chance that your car battery will experience issues.
To help keep your vehicle on the road, we’ve put together some common signs you may find and ways to prevent them.
1. Tyre pressure
As it gets colder, your tyre pressure is going to drop. Even if your tyres were pumped up when you last checked them and there are no leaks, the pressure will go down. Check them at least every fortnight and pump them up if they need it.
While you’re at it, check your tread depth as well. You can find out more about this by looking at our guide.
2. Freezing fluids
If the fluids are freezing under your car bonnet, it can do some real damage and leave you with a hefty repair bill!
The usual suspects are screenwash and antifreeze. Make sure they’re both topped up with a mix that will stay in liquid form even in the coldest temperatures.
3. Windscreen wipers
Scraping the ice off your windows isn’t the end of the world, but if your wipers are frozen to the screen as well, you might find yourself waiting for a lift!
If your car has automatic wipers (lucky you!) check they’re turned off before you turn on the engine, and free up your wipers when you scrape the windows.
To prevent it altogether, use a frost guard or windscreen shield and tuck them under your wipers. These will stop your windscreen freezing overnight, so you can just pull them off in the morning.
4. Windows and doors frozen shut
If your windows are frozen shut, the best thing to do is to wait for your car to warm up. If your car locks have frozen, use a lock de-icer. (Just make sure that you don’t leave it in the car!)
If your doors are frozen shut, don’t yank on the handle as it could break off. Instead, use a de-icer around the door to defrost it before you try opening it.
5. Battery problems
If your car struggles to start in the winter, it’s probably a problem related to the battery. Cold temperatures are hard on batteries, especially since people tend to be powering things like heaters and lights at the same time!
If your car is struggling to start, try turning off all the electrics and dipping the clutch when you turn the key. Then, head over to Halfords, where we can test the battery and alternator and fit a new battery if needed.
Remember, we offer a Free 5-Point Car Check or you can upgrade to a 10-Point Car Check for even greater peace of mind.
Introducing the Halfords Motoring Club
Or why not join the Halfords Motoring Club and get access to a range of amazing benefits and discounts that are designed to keep you moving, keep you safe and keep you saving.
It’s free to join and you’ll receive money off your MOT, a free car health check and a welcome voucher that can be spent on any Halfords product or service.
Or choose our Premium membership for a small monthly fee (or a one-off payment) to unlock exclusive member pricing on all motoring products and services online and across our stores, garages and Halfords Mobile Experts, as well as a variety of other benefits that will help you to keep moving for less.
With so much to enjoy, this is too good an opportunity to miss!
Join the Halfords Motoring Club today at www.halfords.com/motoring-club.
If you still need to pick up your winter motoring essentials, head over to our site and stock up, or take a look at our Advice Centre for more great guides and advice.