How to get your car ready for winter weather

One of the greatest pleasures in cold or rainy weather is a welcoming, toasty car interior. Oftentimes, a car allows you to go out and travel when you’d otherwise stay at home. But winter brings challenges: driving in more difficult conditions and a greater chance of mechanical breakdown.

With a few simple steps, you can ensure your vehicle is ready for colder weather, minimising the risk of problems. Follow our tips to prepare your car for the winter.

Attend to routine maintenance

Good breakdown cover is a reassuring safety net, but you can minimise the risk of mechanical failure by ensuring your car has a decent service in the run-up to winter.

Rally driver and garage owner John Bowden says routine maintenance is the best way of preserving your car’s reliability when the temperature drops. Aged 71, he has driven some of the world’s harshest terrain, recording several victories in the Rhino Charge off-road rally in Kenya.

“Even if you have a modern car with long service intervals of up to 24,000 miles, I’d advise getting it checked over by a trained and trusted mechanic each year before winter sets in,” he says. “A change of oil and oil filter, and a top-up of fluid levels, can make all the difference to its reliability. A workshop should also check other components like brakes, drive belts and lights that have an impact on safety when conditions worsen.”

Check your insurance cover

It is worth making sure your car insurance is up-to-date, so you know you’re fully covered in the event of an accident. Check your policy details are correct and alert your insurer to anything that may have changed, such as your named drivers or annual mileage.

Review your breakdown cover before winter takes hold. There’s no fun in being stranded in the cold by an icy road – but the correct form of breakdown cover will mean you’re back on track as soon as possible.

Age Co offers breakdown cover provided by Britannia Rescue. With Age Co, you’ll have recovery to anywhere in the UK. Comprehensive Breakdown Cover offers overnight accommodation and alternative transport if your car isn’t fixed by the end of the day, as well as cover for European driving. Home Assistance, available on some policies, gets you going even if your car breaks down at home.

Provided you have comprehensive cover on your car insurance, the cost of replacing or repairing your vehicle is usually covered should the worst happen and you are involved in an accident.

Check your tyres

Checking your vehicle’s tyres is one of the most vital checks you can make when preparing for winter driving.

“If your tyres are running low on tread, it’s worth having them replaced sooner rather than later – especially in the winter months,” notes John, who also had a career owning a garage in Sussex for 43 years. “Worn tyres will reduce grip in wet or icy conditions, whereas fresh tyres will improve cornering, enhance grip and make your stopping distances shorter.”

The minimum legal tread depth for tyres is 1.6mm (0.06in), but John recommends changing them at 2.5mm (0.1in) to ensure safe winter driving.

Meet the challenge of rear-wheel drive

Grippy tyres are especially important if your car is a rear-wheel-drive model. Such vehicles can be more prone to sliding, so it’s worth being aware of this risk when winter comes.

One way to improve grip is to have winter tyres fitted, designed for maximum control in the wet or ice.

But the most important thing is to drive in a way which suits the conditions. Accelerate smoothly, avoid sharp braking and minimise abrupt steering movements.

Regularly check screenwash, wiper blades and coolant

A clear view of the road ahead is crucial to maintaining safety – especially when the weather starts to bite. Make sure your car’s screenwash is regularly topped up with cold-weather concentrate that’s not over-diluted. A weekly fill-up should prevent all but the highest-mileage drivers from running out mid-journey.

It’s worth replacing worn windscreen wiper blades promptly, as these can smear the glass and impair your view. If you see a blade start to fray, or it fails to give a clean wipe of your screen, contact your local garage. Check out our full article on when, and how to replace windscreen wipers.

Similarly, you should keep an eye on coolant and top up with an appropriate antifreeze if levels run low.

Get beneath the bonnet

John recommends a thorough inspection of the engine bay. John says you should lift the bonnet and clear any dead leaves or cobwebs that have gathered in the nooks and crannies.

“Also make sure the air intake for the heater is clean,” he says. “That can cause issues if it blocks. And while you have the bonnet flipped, check the battery connection points for signs of corrosion. If they look worn, ask a trained mechanic to take a look.”

Prepare for the unexpected

On icy days you can’t always rely on your wipers, so pack an ice scraper to clear your car’s windows. Keep a blanket, emergency rations and an unopened bottle of water on board. If you’re driving in an area prone to snow, it’s also worth keeping a shovel and wellies in the back.

Conditions can deteriorate quickly, so it’s important to have everything you may need to weather the storm.

Age Co’s winter checklist for your car

• Ensure you have the right insurance and the details on file are up-to-date.
• Consider having your car professionally serviced before the cold weather begins.
• Replace worn-out tyres. Changing them is advisable when the tread depth is around 2.5mm (0.1in). Depending on your car and destination, you might want to consider winter tyres.
• Keep a set of tools and supplies in your car: an ice scraper, water, blanket and maybe even a shovel if snow is forecast.