Key Things to Check Before Your Winter Car Journey

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Heading off on a winter journey? Winter can be a great time to visit somewhere new and make the most out of the festive season, but you must be careful when driving in the winter because it can be dark, rainy and slippery and there are a few important checks that you will need to complete before hitting the road. These car safety guides will ensure that your car is in the best possible condition before hitting the road and will hopefully prevent you from encountering any issues on the road. So, what do you need to check before hitting the road?

Car Tyres

When driving in winter, you need to know that your tyres are in good condition as they are key for safety and performance. You should check the pressure and top up to the required pressure before heading off as well as inspect the tyres for signs of damage. You should also check that you have plenty of tread depth – 1.6mm is the legal minimum but it is recommended that you change once you are below 3mm. Switching to winter tyres could be smart, especially if the weather is bad.

Emergency Kit

You should also have an emergency kit in the car before hitting the road. This should include:

• Torch
• First-aid kit
• High vis clothing
• Spare tyre
• Shovel
• Water and snacks
• Blanket
• Phone charger

Oil

You also want to check your engine oil level with a dipstick and top up to the recommended level if required. Make sure that you are using the right oil and never overfill as this could also create problems.

Coolant

Coolant is essential for keeping the engine at a safe temperature, so you should check your coolant level and top-up if required. Make sure that the engine is cold when you check this.

Car Wash

It is also a good idea to wash the car and clean the interior before hitting the road. The winter conditions can take their toll on the exterior, so cleaning gives you a chance to remove harmful debris from the exterior.

Car Battery

Battery problems can be common, especially in the winter months. Therefore, you should use a home battery tester to check the health of the battery and buy a replacement if required.

Exterior Lights

You also need to test that all of your exterior lights are working. This is particularly important for a winter car journey as visibility will be lower and you need to know that all of your lights are working properly.

These are the main checks to conduct if planning a winter car journey. Winter can be a dangerous and stressful time for motorists due to the conditions, so it is important that you make sure that your car is in top condition before hitting the road.