Winter Car Checks - How to Prepare Your Car this Winter

Winter plays havoc with a car. Poor conditions, the chance of grit on the roads and sub-zero temperatures can all have a negative effect on a vehicle, putting greater strain on components and making them more susceptible to mechanical issues. That’s why performing regular winter car checks is crucial to keep your vehicle in good condition during this season.

However, there are some areas of preparation that you can make as a way of helping to get your car through winter unscathed. By carrying out winter car checks, you can avoid potential breakdowns or costly repairs. But if you’d like to switch out your car before winter hits, then check out our website, where you’ll be able to see the very latest vehicles that we have in stock. Let’s take a look at the best winter car checks to keep your car in peak condition.

Cleaning

It may sound simple, but ensuring your car is as clean as possible is a relatively hassle-free way of getting it ready for the winter months. Cleaning is also one of the essential winter car checks, as it protects against rust and damage caused by salt and grit. Pay attention to rust-sensitive areas - such as the sills and wheel arches - and always use a dedicated car shampoo as dish soap can quickly strip your car’s paint of natural protection.

Waxing your car is another step that fits into winter car checks, as it helps shield your vehicle from the harsh elements.Make sure that you keep this cleaning up as part of your winter car checks, too, as it’ll help to remove salt and grit deposits during the course of the bad weather.

Tyres

Checking your tyres is one of the most critical winter car checks you can perform. Proper tyres will help to move water away efficiently while maximising grip, but they can only do that if they are properly maintained. Begin your winter car checks by giving your car’s tyres a good visual inspection and look out for any cuts or bulges in the sidewall.

Make sure that your tyres have enough tread, too, with the UK legal limit being 1.6mm - though we’d recommend changing them well before that. You can use a dedicated tyre gauge to check this, or you may want to get a professional in to see for themselves.

Keep them properly inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressures (you can find these in the vehicle handbook or behind the fuel filler door). If you live in a region prone to snow or icy conditions, consider swapping to winter tyres as part of your winter car checks, as these are designed to perform better in sub-zero temperatures.

Fluids

The correct amount of fluids ensures that your car is in perfect working health and able to move efficiently. It’s why we’d recommend them as one of the key winter checks for cars, paying close attention to areas such as the oil, which you can check via the car’s dipstick and then refill appropriately. Take a look at the brake fluid reservoir, as part of your winter car checks.

The coolant is another fluid which will be kept at a proper level, and like the brake fluid is often kept in a reservoir. Finally, make sure that you top up your windscreen washer fluid. This plays a key role during winter car checks as it ensures you can properly clean your windscreen when the roads turn grimy. Remember to use a dedicated windscreen washer fluid instead.

Windscreen

Your car’s windscreen takes a real beating during the winter, with grit and stone chips on the road often causing cracks and smashes. It’s why checking your windscreen before the weather arrives can help to avoid any extra stress further down the line.

Look out for any larger chips - particularly if they’re in the driver’s eye line - and get them repaired if they are large. Addressing windscreen issues during your winter car checks can prevent them from worsening into full cracks as temperatures drop. At this point, you’ll need to replace the entire windscreen.

Lights

Another essential part of winter car checks is inspecting your car’s lights. A faulty light can be particularly dangerous in winter, which is why checking them is so important.

This is easiest with a friend or relative, but get in your car and operate all of the major lights to ensure that they’re working properly and don’t forget the indicators and fog lamps. However, if nobody is around to help, you can drive close to a shiny surface - like a garage door, for instance - and switch the lights on and off while checking the reflection. You can do this for the rear lights, too - just look in the rear-view mirror.

Interior

Preparing your car’s interior is another aspect of thorough winter car checks. When the weather starts to get cold, it’s a good time to think about what you’d do if you had to stop unexpectedly. It’s why packing a few essentials is such a good idea as it’ll ensure you’re prepared if you get stuck or hit with a roadside breakdown.

Keep a spare coat and gloves in the boot, alongside some non-perishable or long-life snacks that could help lift the spirits - and energy levels - during a stop. Plus, you might want to keep a charge-up battery pack as a way of topping up your phone should get stranded at the side of the road. These small preparations complement your overall winter car checks and ensure peace of mind during winter.

Carsa - Your Local Trusted Dealership

A little bit of preparation goes a long way when it comes to winter car checks, but if you’d rather change out your car entirely, then here at Carsa we’ve got plenty of options. Check out the website today to browse our current range of cars as well as find out more information about the kind of services we offer here. Contact us today to book a test drive and find out for yourself why buying a car from Carsa is the best decision you can make it 2025!