Bad Weather Checklist
With Autumn well and truly here and winter around the corner, the dark and wet can make driving more hazardous.
As more of us brave the wet weather for seasonal events, making sure your vehicle is up to scratch is important for the safety of yourself and other drivers. There are six basic checks you can do to make sure your fleet is in tip-top shape to battel the elements.
The following is a bad weather checklist :
1. Lights
As the winter nights set in, making sure your lights are in working order is not only essential to your safety but a legal requirement. Checking your lights to see if they are clear and bright and that your brake lights are working is an easy way to prevent any road accidents. If they are not clear and bright then you will need to have them changed before your next trip.
2. Tyres
With roads becoming wet and icy as we head into the winter months, tyre treads can make all the difference. Making sure your vehicle has a good grip on the road is important to prevent accidents. One easy way to check your tyre tread is using a 20p coin. Slotted into the groove of your tyre, you should not be able to see the ring around the outer edge of the coin. If you can then your tyre could have less than the minimum tread of 1.6mm and may need replacing.
3. Antifreeze
Usually, your car’s warning light will tell you when you need to check your antifreeze, but checking ahead of time is an easy way to look after your motor.
As any water in your system freezes, it expands, leading to potentially cracked or burst pipes. To top up your antifreeze follow the instructions in your car’s manual, but make sure your engine is fully cooled first. It’s also important to note that different types of antifreeze don’t always mix well, so try to use the same when possible.
4. Windscreen
Making sure you can see clearly is a fundamental safety element in driving at any time of the year, but this is even more important in the wet weather.
Checking your windscreen wipers and windscreen fluid and both quick and easy checks you can do to improve visibility in the rainy weather. You can check your windscreen wiper blade for cracks, dry patches or any misshaping. If your blades aren’t looking at their best, then it may be time to replace them. Windscreen chips can also become an issue as the colder weather sets in. Frost can seep into any chips you may have. This can cause expansion and contraction of the glass, making it weaker and more prone to cracks. If you find any chips or cracks on your windscreen, make sure to get them checked by a professional.
5. Battery
Battery failure is one of the most common reasons for car breakdowns. Making sure your battery is in working order can help prevent any issues. Firstly make sure your battery is clean of any debris or dirt. This can help to extend your battery life. Secondly, check the battery’s fluid level. If the battery plates are exposed then top up with distilled water until they are covered again.
6. Oil
Having the correct amount of oil in your car is key to your engine’s health. Having too much or too little can be damaging, but finding the goldilocks zone will help to prevent your engine from seizing in the colder temperatures. To check your vehicle’s oil, first pull out the dipstick and wipe off any excess oil. Then put it back in the tube, and pull it out again. If there is little or no oil on the stick then you will need to top up using the correct oil for your vehicle. As we head into the winter months, these quick and simple checks can make all the difference.
Comment
A spokesperson for LeaseElectricCar.co.uk said:
“Winter weather can be extremely treacherous especially if your vehicle isn’t designed to deal with certain conditions. Just by making a few simple checks, you can help to keep yourself and others safe on the road.” If you are unsure about any of the safety checks, make sure you have a professional assessment.
Bad Weather Checklist