This Is Why Your Car Isn’t Ready For Winter

All opinions are mine and mine alone.

October is almost here already, and winter is fast approaching us. The world is a vastly different place during the winter months, and what may normally be a dry, easy drive to work and back each day can become a wet, cold, and dark nightmare. 

Driving in winter is very different from driving in summer and it is incredibly important to have your wits about you at this time of the year. Whether you have a brand new car from Davies Car Sales  Or an old reliable model, we are here to show you some sure signs that your car is not ready for a winter trip. 

FORCES

Use the Force, Luke.

Star Wars references aside, it is important to use the force when driving in winter, and if you haven’t completed these simple car checks you need to do them as soon as you can. 

FORCES stands for Fuel, Oil, Rubber, Coolant, Electrics, Screenwash. 

FUEL – First of all, ensure that you always have enough fuel for a journey. The last thing you want is to get stuck out in the middle of nowhere with no fuel. 

• OIL – Check your oil level before a long journey, because if the oil level is too low the engine cannot be correctly lubricated and this can cause issues. 
• RUBBER – Check your tyres before the winter. You will need to check the tread depth, and also the pressure of the tyres before setting off. Inspect how even the wearing is on the tyres because uneven wearing can be a result of issues with the steering. 
• COOLANT – Top up the coolant and anti-freeze in the car and make sure that you always have enough for your journey 
• ELECTRICS – Check the lights in and around the car, and buy yourself a lightbulb kit to keep in the boot for emergencies. 
• SCREENWASH – Top-up the screenwash to ensure that you clean the car and improve visibility. 

Spongy brakes

One of the most prevalent issues facing drivers in winter is the ability to brake. When roads are slippery it will take you a longer distance to slow and stop the car. This means that the health of the brakes is paramount. If you have old or spongy brakes, you need to get this fixed before the winter comes around to avoid an accident.

Flaring engine revs

Flaring engine revs describe something which can happen when you accelerate hard. If the engine revs are flaring, this is a real sign that your car is not yet ready for the winter. Make sure to get the car checked out and replace your clutch before you head out into the winter cold.  

Knocking 

When you have owned a car for a long time, it is all too easy to become immune to its issues and become deaf and blind to problems. However, if when driving you can hear a background knocking noise in the car, this is an indication that the wheel bearing is worn down and this can be an expensive thing to fix. Be sure to fix this as soon as you can because otherwise, you can have real issues with steering in the snow.

Condensation 

As the temperature outside becomes much lower than inside the house or car, water vapour in the air will cool to liquid and form condensation on windows and surfaces. If your car is suffering with constant condensation and freezing, it can cause issues when driving. Too much condensation can eventually seep into the electrics of the car and cause real problems for you. Identify the issue and get someone to fix it soon.