Preparing your vehicle for winter

It’s at that time of year when the cold snap threatens to halt us in our tracks, including our vehicle. We’ve put together some top tips on how to prepare your car for the colder months.

Colder temperatures can affect the power in your battery and could mean that it will end the life of an already tired battery. Many people experience a sluggish battery in winter time; the cold weather has a part to play in this. We recommend getting a battery tester that you can use yourself. A new battery is relatively cheap to purchase and we recommend getting it fitted by a qualified person.

An emergency kit can be a godsend if you happen to break down and are stranded.

Here are some items to consider keeping in your vehicle or in the boot of your car:

• De-icer and a scraper – this will ensure you have visibility at all times.
• Warm clothing
• A bottle of water
• Some snacks (non-perishable)
• First Aid kit
• A torch
• Boots
• A high-vis jacket
• A spare mobile phone.

Besides ensuring that the tread on your tyres are at the legal limit of 1.6mm, you may want to invest in tyres that are specially made for snowy, icy or wet conditions.

Winter tyres provide extra grip and stability for your vehicle in unusual conditions. Remember it takes longer to brake in bad conditions and having extra grip and stability on your vehicle, when you need it, could mean saving your life and those of your passengers and other road users.