With the UK’s autumn and winter weather beckoning, motorists are encouraged to carry out important checks before hitting the road.
The car leasing experts at LeaseElectricCar.de urge drivers to carry out regular safety checks in autumn and winter in order to avoid dangers on the roads.
Changes in the weather can severely impair the visibility of the road and the condition of the road surface.
Carrying out these safety checks can not only protect motorists from damage in road traffic, but also increase the longevity of the vehicles, especially since the winter time is extremely hard for cars.
A spokesman for LeaseElectricCar.co.uk said: “Winter weather can be extremely treacherous, especially if your vehicle is not designed for certain conditions.
“It can be daunting to do vehicle safety checks without the help of a mechanic, but anyone can do them. They are simple and can save you a lot of money in the long run.
“With a few simple checks, you can help keep yourself and others safe on the road.”
Six checks to do before driving in winter
tires
Controlling the tread of a car tire is critical (PA Features Archive / Press Association Images)
As winter approaches, frost and sleet are more likely to cause problems for cars on the roads.
Having the right profile on your tires can help you get better grip on the road.
An easy way to check the tread depth of your tire is to place a 20 pence coin in one of the main grooves on the tire.
If you can see the outer ring of the coin when you insert it, your tire is likely worn and unsafe.
You shouldn’t be able to see the outer ring of the coin and the tread should be at least 1.6mm.
Windshield
Road visibility can be impaired in wintry weather, so it is important to check the operation of your windshield.
You can easily check your wiper blades for wear by seeing if they are dry, cracked, or deformed. If so, it is advisable to replace them.
To get enough windshield fluid, you can also lift the hood and look for a plastic pipe with a windshield icon.
It is also important that your windshield is free of chips, as frost can penetrate into small cracks and spread over the entire windshield.
The constant expansion and contraction of glass in cold weather can make your windshield unsafe if it is already damaged. Have a specialist check the damage first.
oil
The right amount of oil in the car can help prevent the engine from seizing up, especially in winter.
Too much oil can be just as harmful to your vehicle’s health as too little.
To check your car’s oil, turn off the engine and find the dipstick, which is usually a yellow tire next to the engine.
Pull out the dipstick and wipe off any excess oil. Then put the dipstick back into the tube, pull it back out, and if there is little to no oil on the rod, make sure you top up with the correct type of oil for your vehicle.
Antifreeze
Usually your car’s warning system will signal when there is a fault in the engine cooling system. However, identifying problems early on can prevent serious harm.
When water freezes, it expands and this can lead to cracks and pipe bursts that can seriously affect the functioning of the engine.
To top up your car’s coolant, you can find the tank by referring to your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
When topping up, it is important that your engine has cooled down completely, otherwise you could cause serious injury from the leakage of pressurized water.
It’s also important to note that different antifreeze products don’t always mix well. So try to use the same type whenever possible when filling the tank.
battery
A routine check of your car battery could be critical (PA Features Archive / Press Association Images)
Battery failure is a common cause of winter car breakdowns, so a routine check can save you many troubles.
Start with a visual inspection and make sure the terminal and connections are tight and secure.
Cleaning your battery pack of dirt and debris can help extend its life and keep it in good working condition.
Finally, check the battery fluid level if the battery plates are exposed, then top up with distilled water until they are covered again.
lighting
It’s basic advice, but as the days get shorter, make sure your lights are working effectively.
To test your car’s headlights, turn them on and head to the front of your vehicle to make sure they are working and appear bright.
To check the taillights, have someone else stand at the rear of the vehicle when you are stationary. Go through and check your reversing lights and brake lights.
Again, both sides should be fully functional and bright. If not, make sure to switch them before hitting the streets again.
