There are shorter days, often wet and slippery roads and certainly cold and foggy mornings and evenings, that you often aren’t used to dealing with. All these conditions make it harder to see what’s ahead or around you, and also put greater pressure on your car to perform.
That’s why it’s vitally important to take regular steps to improve your visibility and take care of your Winter car maintenance before the colder weather sets in.
Jump to:
- Tips to Improve Visibility in Winter
- Car Maintenance Tips to Prepare your Car for Colder Weather
- Check your Tyres
- Change Your Oil and Check Your Fluids
- Check your Wipers and Replace Blades
- Check your Defroster, Heating and Air Conditioning
- Check your Lights
- Test Your Battery and Replace if Necessary
- Test your Brakes
- Book a Regular Pre-Winter Service
Tips to Improve Visibility in Winter
Shorter days means more night time driving or driving in the dark, and poor weather conditions like rain, snow or fog decrease your visibility greatly.
Here are a few ways you can improve your visibility each day –
- Keep Windscreen and Windows Clean – To ensure we have clear visibility ahead of us and around us, it’s a great idea to clean your windscreen and windows regularly. Both inside and out, and side windows and rear. Cleaning on the inside removes the build up of plasticisers, smoke and other contaminants.
- Check for Ice on your Windscreen – On cold mornings or evenings you may find your windows covered in ice. Use some water straight from the tap to melt the ice. Never use hot water or you could crack your windscreen.
- Demist your Windows – Keep your windows clear of mist with your demister or air conditioner. The Air conditioner can often work more effectively as it removes the moisture from the air that causes the mist.
Car Maintenance Tips to Prepare your Car for Colder Weather
It’s important to plan ahead!
There are several tasks that you can do prior to Winter starting, so why not pop a reminder in your calendar or book a regular service with your Mobile Car Mechanic at the same time each year, so they can do all of these for you.
With the right maintenance, you can keep your car running smoothly all season long. From checking your tyres and lights, to changing your oil, this guide covers everything you need to know about winter car maintenance.
Follow these tips to keep your vehicle safe and reliable this winter-
Check your Tyres
One of the most important things to do when preparing your car for Winter is to check your tyres and tyre pressure. Cold weather can cause your tire pressure to drop, which can lead to decreased traction and handling on slippery roads.
Make sure your tyres are properly inflated so you can ensure that the tread area in contact with the road is most effective. You also need to check your tread depth to ensure adequate grip. Tread is vital when the roads are wet, as its job is to pump water away from the patch where the tyre meets the road. If they are worn heavily, it is a great idea to replace them. Don’t forget to also check your spare!
If you live in a particularly cold area of Queensland, you could also consider switching to winter tyres for even better traction in snowy and icy conditions.
Change Your Oil and Check Your Fluids
Another important step in Winter car maintenance is to change your oil and check your fluids. Cold weather can cause your engine oil to thicken, which can make it harder for your engine to start and run smoothly. Consider switching to a winter-grade oil that is designed to perform better in cold temperatures. Additionally, make sure to check your coolant, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid levels and top them off as needed. Proper fluid levels can help ensure that your car runs smoothly and safely in cold weather.
You can also top up your windscreen washer reservoir with a mix of water and anti-freeze as per your car maker’s recommendations. If unsure, speak to your regular mechanic or read your manual.
Check your Wipers and Replace Blades
Visibility is key when driving in winter weather, so it’s important to make sure your wipers are operating correctly on all settings and that your wiper blades are in good condition. Wiper blades should be replaced at least once a year, and more frequently if they are showing signs of wear or not clearing your windshield effectively. They are inexpensive and can be replaced very easily. While you are there, also check that the windscreen washer is working well and there are no blockages.
Check your Defroster, Heating and Air Conditioning
Your defroster should also be checked to ensure it is working properly, as it is essential for clearing fog and frost from your windows. If you notice any issues with your defroster, have it repaired before the cold weather hits.
In addition to checking your wiper blades and defroster, it’s important to make sure your heating and air conditioning systems are working properly. Your heating system will not only keep you warm during those cold winter drives, but many people prefer to use it as a defroster also. Have a professional mechanic inspect your heating and air conditioning systems to ensure they are functioning correctly and efficiently. This will not only keep you comfortable during your winter drives, but it will also help prevent any potential safety hazards.
Check your Lights
We rely heavily on our lights in the darker, Winter months, so it’s a good time to check them. Switch them on and test the headlights (low and high beam), parking lights, tail lights, indicators including side repeater lamps. You should also test your reversing lamps, brake lights, and emergency warning lights, as they will be vitally important if you do break down in the darker conditions. You can repair any lights that aren’t working on your own, or ask your local mechanic.
Test Your Battery and Replace if Necessary
Cold weather can be tough on car batteries, so it’s important to test your battery and replace it if necessary before winter sets in. A weak battery can struggle in cold weather as it tries to deal with powering the lights, wipers and washers, heaters or defroster, along with starting your cold engine!
You can check your battery and remove any build-up on the battery posts terminals to improve contact. You can also test your battery with a voltmeter or have it tested by a Mobile Car Mechanic. If your battery is more than three years old or is showing signs of weakness, it’s a good idea to replace it before winter arrives.
Test your Brakes
It is imperative that your brakes are working well, especially if you find yourself needing to stop quickly in slippery conditions. Generally you should have your brake pads changed every 6 months or 20,000kms by a trusted mechanic, however if you notice any change with your brakes, please contact your local mechanic to have them checked immediately.
If you feel comfortable doing some of your own brake maintenance, please check out our recent blog – Car Brake Maintenance – Top 5 Tips.
Book a Regular Pre-Winter Service with Tunemaster Mobile Automotive Services
Keep your vehicle and entire family safe this Winter, by following these great visibility and car maintenance tips.
If you are not confident completing any of these steps, please arrange your regular mechanic, or the experienced team at Tunemaster to complete a service for you.
We service all areas in North Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, have over 30 years experience and can provide all your car servicing and repair needs at your own home or workplace. We will ensure your car is in top condition and meets the maximum possible performance and safety standards, ensuring safer roads for everyone!