Dark mornings, frozen windscreens, numb fingers – it’s an all too familiar experience for early morning commuters. While it can easy to trust that your car will be safe to drive simply because you had no issues the previous day, cold nights can take their toll on several aspects of your car, which can make it difficult and even unsafe to drive.
It’s best to have peace of mind that your car will be able to handle the roads, no matter what the weather. So, here is a daily maintenance checklist that is sure to keep you moving in the worst conditions.
Windscreen
Make sure your washer fluid is topped up and it’s a good idea to add antifreeze in order to make the early morning defrosting of your windscreen quicker and easier. Good visibility is especially vital in the dark mornings or the low sunset, so taking the extra time to ensure your windscreen is properly cleared is even more important in winter.
Antifreeze
If you’re making daily trips during winter, it’s more important than ever to monitor your engine health. Having the correct levels of antifreeze is crucial to protecting your engine from corrosion and maintaining the temperature of the engine fluids. Before you top up your antifreeze, make sure to dilute it in line with your car manufacturers recommendations.
Lights and Registration Plate
During winter, salt and dirt on the road can build up quickly and dirty your headlights quicker than usual. If you’re a morning commuter, it’s important to clean your headlights each day to make sure you can see and can be seen by other vehicles. It is also recommended to wipe dirt from your registration plate so you are in compliance with UK law and to ensure your car is properly identifiable
Tyres
Your tyres are important all year round, but it is especially vital in winter that your tyres are compliant and safe to drive on, with the worsening road conditions. Ensure that you carry out frequent checks of your tyre pressure and tread depth to make sure you are safe to drive with them. For frequent drivers, why not browse Bridgestone’s range of winter tyres, which offer improved grip and handling in even the worst road conditions.
Emergency Car Kit
You might not think that it’s necessary to carry an emergency kit with you at all times, but it’s better to be safe than sorry, when an weather-related incident could leave you stranded. Ensure you have the following in your car during winter and that you have packed for every eventuality:
- Phone charger
- Shovel
- De-icer and a scraper
- Winter clothing (boots, gloves and jacket)
- Tow rope
- Torch
- Food and water
The ASDA tyres blog is full of helpful tips and tricks to help you navigate the roads and winter conditions.