How Do You Get Your Car Ready for the Winter?

With the arrival of the cold season, we start swapping our wardrobes for scarves, warm coats, and other woollen clothes. Getting your car ready for winter is no different. It's time to check all your fluid levels, replace the coolant with antifreeze coolant, regular tyres with winter tyres, and so on. 

Automotive experts at European car service Melbourne share some important tips on preparing a car for cold weather, which are explained in the blog below. 

But why do you need to prepare your car for cold weather? Let’s find out.


Why is it important to get your car ready for winter?

Winter is a harsh season that plays havoc with cars just like it does to us. Cold weather can impact various vehicle components, including tyres, batteries and fluids. 

For example, low temperature can affect the battery, reducing its efficiency and making it harder for the engine to start. Similarly, fog during the cold season can reduce visibility, and wet winters make it difficult to drive on roads. 

Preparing your car for winter is important to ensure reliability and safety in harsh conditions. Proper winter car maintenance reduces the risk of breakdowns and ensures your vehicle’s optimal performance.

 

Best tips for preparing your car for winter

Following these tips can help you prepare your vehicle for the harshness that Australian winter brings each year. 

Fit your car with winter tyres 

Your car’s tyres are the most crucial vehicle component, as these are the only contact points between the car and the road. However, these are often overlooked by most car owners. 

Your tyres should be in the best condition to ensure your safety on the road. Australian roads are often wet and slippery during the colder months, which can be risky if the tyres are in better condition. As such, the best thing you can do in winter is to replace the all-season tyres with winter tyres. 

Why? The rubber on all-season tyres hardens as the temperature falls, reducing their grip on winter roads. On the other hand, winter tyres are made of a custom rubber compound that remains soft and flexible at low temperatures. This allows them to offer better grip and control on wet, slippery roads during colder seasons. 

However, when having your winter tyres fitted, check their condition, especially if you are using the spare. Look for any wear, unusual bulges or general damage. If you notice anything, ask a professional mechanic and accordingly, they recommend a repair or replacement. 

Check tyre pressure and tread depth 

It’s important to check the tyre pressure and tread depth before you drive your car on wet, slippery roads. 

Low tyre pressure can cause excessive wear, poor brake performance and handling, and sidewall damage. Therefore, it’s important to check your tyre pressure regularly. The recommended tyre pressure in Australia is between 30-35 PSI. 

Moreover, check the tyre tread, which should ideally be 1.5mm as per Australian standards. 

Top up your fluids 

While this is an all-season preparatory tip, you should consider doing this during the cold season. 

Check your car’s fluid levels, including the oil and radiator. To check your car’s fluid levels, park it on a flat-level surface and ensure the engine is cold. 

Next, check all the above fluids and top up without exceeding the maximum level line. When refilling the engine’s coolant system, flush out the regular coolant water and refill it with an antifreeze mixed with water. The antifreeze will prevent the water in the cooling system from freezing during the cold season. 

Check windscreen wipers and fluid.

Dirt and grime easily build up during winter, hindering your visibility through the windscreen. So, make sure your windscreen wipers are in their best condition. If the wipers are blotchy or make a rubbing noise, you must replace them. 

Make sure to check the fluid levels of your Mercedes Benz windscreen and refill them if necessary. Opt for a suitable windshield washer fluid instead of water in cold weather to prevent freezing, potentially damaging the car's system when temperatures drop significantly. If needed, consider getting a Mercedes Benz service in Melbourne.

Check your battery 

Winters is also a good time to check your battery performance. If your vehicle takes longer than usual to start or the headlights or internal lights flicker or are dim, these may indicate poor battery performance. Hence, before the harshness of winter arrives, visit your mechanic to get your battery checked and replaced if needed. 

Check your lights

Driving in the cold season means encountering rain and fog, which increases your dependency on your lights. You’ll also be in greater danger if they aren’t working properly. 

So, ensure your headlights, fog lights, reversing lights, indicators, and brake lights are all in good condition. Also, thoroughly clean them with window wash, particularly for stubborn stains.  

Wax cover your car 

Before the cold weather gets harsh, wash your car thoroughly and let it dry. Next, apply a robust layer of protection, preferably wax, or sealant or even ceramic coating, to the painted surfaces. This will protect your car’s paint through the toughest conditions. 

Pay special attention to the lower panels of your car. These are the areas that experience the most abuse from the road. 

Check your HVAC

Just like you need a working air conditioner in summer, you need a heater during extreme cold. Hence, checking your HVAC ensures the rear and front demisters work correctly, and you can see through the windows clearly and sooner.

Prepare a winter emergency kit 

Winter car breakdowns are quite common. We suggest you have a winter emergency kit ready to handle such unexpected situations. Ensure to have the following items in your emergency kit:

  • blanket, 
  • hi-vis vest ( to be seen in low-visibility), 
  • tow rope,
  • small shovel (if you ever drive to a snowy region), 
  • jumper cables,
  • torch, 
  • spare phone charger, 
  • a fully-charged power bank, 
  • snacks and water, 
  • warm, 
  • waterproof boots, and 
  • a first-aid kit. 

Besides, keep a spare winter tyre as well. 

Get your vehicle serviced

A car’s engine and other components are more stressed during winter. Rough idling, sluggish performance, pinging, and reluctant starts are all signs your car is not fit to fight the winter frost. As such, getting your car serviced before the onset of the winter season is good to ensure all its components are in their prime.

Conclusion 

Preparing your car for winter is crucial for its performance and safety. For high-quality car care in Melbourne, consider hiring BCS Prestige. Follow these winter tips to ensure your vehicle stays in top condition and performs well during the colder months.

So, is your car winter-ready?



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