Is your vehicle ready for winter?

IS YOUR VEHICLE READY FOR THE WINTER? Do you know what snow, ice, loose gravel and salt can do to your vehicle? Minor scratches and nicks turn to rust, your heater gets the workout it may not be prepared for, and your windscreen must deal with the temperature stress of a warm interior and a freezing exterior.

WINDSCREEN SAFETY: Mechanics call this temperature stress “thermal shock”, and if you have a small ding in your windshield, thermal shock can cause your minor ding to turn into a major crack. Repairing a small chip can cost from £72.50+VAT (if you don’t have windscreen protection on your insurance) and can be free depending on your vehicle insurance. Replacing a cracked windshield can cost hundreds of pounds depending on some vehicles and the type of windscreen they have. Once a chip or star (star shaped with points spreading out) expands, windscreen replacement is often the only option.

FLUIDS: As any mechanic will tell you, checking fluids is the least expensive and easiest preventive maintenance you can do. Change your oil frequently (about every 3,000 miles), and don't forget to change your engine coolant (diluted with 50 per cent water) and transmission fluid, about every two years. Pure engine coolants can freeze at zero degrees, but mixing with water prevents freezing and provides great protection for the cold weather.

Though fluids like oil and transmission are commonly checked, other fluids integral to your vehicle's performance, may go unnoticed. Power steering, brake, radiator and battery fluids also should be filled to the recommended levels. Don’t forget to top off windshield washer fluid. If you’ve ever driven after salt trucks have come through to melt snow and ice, you know the importance of windshield washer fluid. Do not dilute washer fluid with water since it can freeze during winter’s harsh temperatures. While you’re at it, you might want to change the wiper blades to prevent poor vision in already poor driving conditions.

BATTERIES AND CABLES: Winter mornings can wreak havoc on an older battery. The average life of a battery is 3½ years. If your battery is older than that, it’s probably time to replace. Have a mechanic check the battery and cables to ensure your car starts quickly and reliably.

TYRES Worn, bald or badly-aligned or balanced tires can mean accidents on ice, rain or snow. Have your tires checked for proper inflation and alignment. If you live in unusually snowy areas, you may want to consider snow tires for added traction, or keep chains or Tyre Socks in your boot or garage to help you through heavy snowfall.

THE OTHER RUBBER PARTS WE FORGET Rubber parts under your hood need maintenance, too. Radiator, heater and vacuum hoses, among others, should be checked for cracks and bulges. Also, inspect all belts for damages and splits.

RUST, MINOR SCRATCHES AND NICKS Road salt can turn a slight scratch or nick to an ugly rust spot that’s impossible to avoid and it can spread. Avoid costly body work by restoring spots before they turn into larger problems.

SPARK PLUGS Worn or misfiring spark plugs can affect how efficiently a vehicle burns the fuel/air mixture, ultimately affecting engine performance. Worn spark plugs waste fuel and increase exhaust emissions, so have them checked and replaced often.

BRAKES Don’t postpone needed brake work. It’s dangerous to drive with poorly performing brakes, especially in snowy weather. Postponing a brake service also can cause the cost of your brake system to skyrocket.

LIGHTS Last, but not least, check your lights. Accidents can occur if you can’t see where you’re driving, or if other drivers can’t see you, especially with winter’s short days and long nights.

INSURANCE Make sure that you check your insurance to ensure that you are covered for all that can possibly occur. Be sure to listen to the radio or watch the TV for weather warnings, remember if they say only drive if it’s unavailable to make sure that you are still covered with your insurance company. Maintain your vehicle regularly to provide years of service with better performance and safety.