Winter Car Care Tips* || With Fife Autocentre

*This is a collaborative post*

Salted streets, freezing conditions, icy roads and heavy snow make it twice as likely your car will breakdown during the winter months. However, with a few simple car care tips, you can ensure your car will prove to be a faithful, reliable form of transport right through the cold winter months and into spring and summer!

1. Check the condition of your tyres. Check tyres for pressure and tread depth. A good amount of tread on your tyres will improve your grip on snowy or icy roads. Experts recommend a depth of 3mm, nearly twice the legal minimum. Also consider changing from summer to winter tyres for an increased grip on snow or ice if you're likely to encounter these conditions regularly. Tyres in Stirling can be booked at Fife Autocentre.
   
2. Check the battery. Batteries have an effective life of five years. They take a big hit in the winter months; both from the cold temperatures, which reduce the output, and the increased use of lights, heater and blower. If your car is having problems starting, get the battery checked and replaced if necessary.
   
3. Carry a winter car breakdown kit. These kits should include; a shovel, torch, blanket, hi-vis jacket, screen wash, food and drink supplies, scraper and de-icer. Before setting out on your journey, ensure your mobile phone is fully charged, or keep a (fully charged) portable charger in your car for emergencies.
   
4. Clean your lights. Check for cracked lenses or blown bulbs, and get these replaced immediately. As well as checking all lights, indicators and rear reflectors are clean, it's also worth checking full beam headlights and fog lights.
   
5. Top up engine coolant with antifreeze. Engine coolant should be a mix of 50/50 water and antifreeze. To avoid the engine overheating, and a large repair bill, top the engine coolant up with antifreeze before the freezing conditions set in.
   
6. Get your car serviced. If your car is due a service around this time anyway, get it done before the cold winter months set in. Around half of all car problems caused by the cold could have been prevented by regular servicing and maintenance checks! Many garages will offer free, or discounted, 'winter car checks;' so make sure you take advantage of those!
   

And there you have it; just six simple tips that could save you a huge motor repair bill. If you look after your car during winter, it'll thank you by serving you well into the summer, and even the following winter!

Do you drive? If so, what car you drive?