Winter car maintenance – Tips to make your car 2021-ready over the Christmas break

Temperatures are typically lower at this time year, and with the possibility of your car being parked up for several days or making a long journey in potentially difficult conditions, it’s worthwhile taking a little time to make sure your car is ready for anything.

Antifreeze

Antifreeze stops the water that your engine uses to keep cool from freezing, so it’s crucial to ensure the mixture is correct and is topped up – otherwise the radiator or water pump can freeze and cause significant damage. In the winter months you need a stronger mix – consult your handbook for the right type.

• Some cars use long-life antifreeze while others need changing every few years
• Antifreeze is poisonous, so store it carefully and ensure caps are secure

Batteries

Whether you drive a petrol, diesel, hybrid or a pure electric car, cold temperatures mean batteries have to work harder. Whatever kind of car you drive, it will have a 12-volt battery that allows key electrical systems to function, so its condition is crucial.

• Consider replacing your 12-volt battery if it is more than five years old
• If you are parking up your car and plan not to use it for several days, consider using a trickle charger to keep the battery in good health

If you drive a pure electric car and are not planning to drive it for several days over the holiday period, ensure it has a minimum of 10 per cent charge before parking up.

Equipment

Your car should have some basic emergency equipment already based on your local regulations, but if you plan to travel it is wise to make some checks and pack some additional items.

• Check the condition of your spare wheel or tyre inflation kit and any additional equipment; jack, wheel wrench, locking wheel nut, towing eye
• Keep a charging cable for your mobile phone in the car; if you don’t have a USB charging point, you can buy adaptors that plug into the 12v socket very cheaply
• Keep some items to help you keep warm if you get stuck – a blanket, a coat, hat, gloves and stout boots
• Stash some bottles of water and biscuits or chocolate in the car in case of emergencies
• A torch, a shovel, snow chains or even old blankets can be useful if your car is stuck in snow
• Keep at least a quarter of a tank of fuel in your car – if you are stuck on your journey you may need to keep the engine running

Lights

Reduced daylight hours and bad weather make it more difficult to see and be seen, which means your car’s lighting is crucial to staying safe.

• Check all lights are working and clean, or clear of snow and ice
• Remember to check side repeaters and number plate lights too
• Remember to adjust your headlight setting if you are carrying a greater load of people or luggage than normal

Tyres

Your tyres are the only part of your car in contact with the road – an area little bigger than a clenched fist – and in bad weather they have even more work to do, so condition and maintenance is vital.

• A minimum tread depth of 3 mm is recommended
• Check your tyres for damage and inflate to the recommended pressure for the vehicle load
• Consider investing in a set of winter tyres, or if you are refitting stored winter tyres, check their condition and pressure before fitting
• If you have snow chains or snow socks for your tyres, ensure you know how to fit them before they need to be used for real

Windows

In poor conditions good visibility is even more important, and a few simple steps will help you see as clearly as possible. Keeping your windows clean not only helps you see better, but also makes it easier to clear ice or snow and means your wiper blades have less work to do too.

• Clean your windows inside as well as out to help demisting
• Check your wiper blades and replace if necessary, and switch off the automatic wiper setting before starting your car in frozen conditions – they may be damaged if they freeze to the windscreen
• Keep your windscreen washer bottle regularly topped up, and you can also include a dedicated antifreeze additive which will stop the fluid from freezing
• If you drive an electric car with pre-conditioning, time it to switch on earlier if you expect low temperatures
• If you are clearing snow from your car, be sure to clear the roof too. In some countries you can be fined by the police for not doing so.

If you are in any doubt or need assistance with products, contact your nearest dealer specialist for advice via the dealer locator on your national Ford website.

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