PREPARING YOUR CAR FOR THE WINTER
Here at North Walsham Car Sales we want to make sure you're safe on the roads all year round, especially in the winter. So here are our top tips to make sure you get to your destination worry free. ​
Check your car’s lights
As we all know too well, heading into the winter means that we often leave for work in the dark and commute home in the dark too, so it’s crucial that all of your bulbs are working properly on your car.
This includes everything from brake lights and tail lights to headlights and indicators. It’s important to clean your lights regularly at this time of year and check they’re working by walking around the outside of your car, then asking another person to take a look at the brake lights for you. If this isn’t an option, make use of reflections instead, whether that’s in windows or against your garage door.
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Check your car’s coolant level
Coolant – or antifreeze – is a liquid that’s added to the water in an engine’s cooling system to help lower the freezing point. This means that the water won’t freeze under typical cold weather conditions.
When the temperatures drop, the last thing you need is a frozen engine. Although it’s a sealed system and shouldn’t need to be topped up, you should always double check to be safe in case of leaks, especially ahead of a long journey.
Check your coolant levels when the engine is cold and look in your car handbook for the correct coolant and mix to use should you need to top it up.
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Look after your car’s battery – and carry jump leads
Fundamental to avoiding or limiting the impact of issues with your car during the autumn and winter months is preparation. This is particularly important when it comes to your car’s battery.
A battery is more likely to struggle over the winter, and leaving anything like the radio or heater on if you’ve pulled over – even if it’s brief – can drain the battery and leave you stuck with a car that won’t start.
If you haven’t changed your car battery for a while or own an older car, you’re even more at risk as the cold and damp weather can put a significant strain on it. If your battery seems to be struggling when you start your car, it could be on its way out and a clear sign that you should replace it before the temperature plummets.
If you’re not a day-to-day driver, we’d highly recommend completing a short 15-20 minute journey once every two weeks when it’s colder outside. This will make you less likely to have a dead battery, spot deflated tyres or any other issues.
It’s important to make sure you have jump leads or a portable battery pack stored in your vehicle so you are prepared in the unfortunate event that your battery does go flat.
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