Is your car or motorcycle and scooter ready for the onslaught of winter? Here I talk through a few simple ways that you can ensure that whatever your transport is it is ready for potential arctic conditions. But also conditioning our minds to be prepared.
We take for granted that so long as our vehicle has a current MOT then all will be good more so if it was serviced at the same time that the MOT was renewed. I hear this so many times when someone is thinking of doing the bare minimum or they are considering exchanging the vehicle. One very recent experience was a car driver not having his engine oil changed for three years because of his low mileage and the workshop explaining there was no need! Bizarre but true.
So leading on from that, engine oil needs changing at the recommended intervals regardless of your actual mileage. It plays an important role of keeping the engine from overheating or seizing. It degenerates with age not just mileage. Do make sure you change the oil filter at the same time. Then keep any left over oil inside the boot as a top up if required.
If you live in an area of mountains and hills with a high chance of extreme weather then consider putting on winter tyres as they have a different structure specially devised for ice and snow conditions ensuring that your vehicle stays more stable in just such conditions.
Wiper blades need changing potentially every twelve months as smearing costs lives at worst and at best can write off your vehicle. Blades can be bought for under thirty pounds. Ensure that the washer bottle is topped up with not just water but washer fluid which can contain anti-freeze properties.
The battery is so much more than it was a decade ago, now controlling navigation colour screens, abs and every computer and control unit that your vehicle has as well as controlling all of your cars safety devices. By checking the charging rate and voltage will save you having to call out a breakdown company and paying them to replace it with one of their own usually expensive batteries. You may find buying a new battery from the main dealer to be as good as elsewhere, I buy batteries from them as any difference is usually small but you know that it will fit exactly and be of the right ampage and volt for your vehicle.
Some daily checks such as checking lights and fuel levels take minutes but will save you much more than getting a fine from the police or having to call a friend or a breakdown service to tow you to a fuel station.
Remember many garages will check some of these for FREE, use them or loose them as they need your visits like anyone else.
Finally make sure you are dressed correctly for the winter and that people know your route and estimated time to destination. Make sure you finally pair your mobile to the bluetooth in your vehicle or buy a kit and have it professionally installed. Please only use your phone if it is safe to do so and DO NOT TOUCH YOUR PHONE at all in answering whilst driving. That is an offence if you do so.
Keep in your boot a tow rope, jump leads some water and a warning triangle and a high visibility vest or coat for if you have to leave the vehicle at the roadside. After leaving the vehicle please do not stay with it move away from it at least 100 meters using your phone to arrange help. Renew your membership to a roadside recovery company.
The above are good tips, ignore them at your peril.
