Winter Car Check
Seasonal Car Care Tips: Preparing Your Vehicle for Winter
As the leaves fall and the nights close in, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about getting your vehicle winter-ready. Winter driving in the UK brings its fair share of challenges — from icy roads and freezing temperatures to rain, salt, and rapidly dropping daylight. A bit of seasonal preparation now can save you from inconvenience, breakdowns, or costly repairs later. In this guide, we walk you through the essential checks and maintenance tasks you should do before winter fully sets in — so you and your car stay safe, reliable and in tip-top condition throughout the colder months.
Why Winter Car Care Matters
Winter isn’t just an inconvenience for drivers — it’s a test for every system in your vehicle. Cold weather can sap battery power, reduce tyre grip, thicken engine oil, and make washer fluid freeze. Roads become more hazardous as temperatures dip and surfaces become slick. Visibility becomes more important than ever amid frost, rain and early darkness. In short: winter amplifies the risks, so a relaxed car is a waiting trouble-ticket.
That’s why proper preparation is essential — not just for comfort, but for safety, reliability, and peace of mind. And with a little effort now, you’ll save both time and money (not to mention a chillier heart if you’re stranded on a frosty morning).
The Comprehensive Winter Checklist
Below is a detailed checklist covering all critical aspects of your vehicle that deserve attention before winter properly arrives.
1. Tyres — Pressure, Tread, and Suitability
Your tyres are the only parts of your car that touch the road — so in winter, they matter more than ever.
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Tyre pressure: Cold air causes tyre pressure to drop. In fact, as a general rule, for every 10 °C drop in temperature, the internal pressure of your tyres can decrease by roughly 1–2 PSI (0.07–0.14 bar).
That might seem small — but it can significantly impact handling, braking distances, and tread wear. For best safety and performance, check your tyres regularly (at least every fortnight, or before long journeys) and re-inflate to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure — remembering to check when tyres are cold. -
Tread depth: The legal minimum tread depth in the UK is 1.6 mm — but in wintery, wet or icy conditions, experts recommend replacing tyres sooner and aiming for a tread depth of at least 3 mm to improve grip and reduce stopping distances.
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Tyre condition: Look for signs of damage — cuts, bulges, uneven wear or embedded objects. Replace any tyres that are damaged. If you expect consistently freezing, icy or snowy conditions, consider investing in winter tyres (“M+S” or snowflake-symbol tyres) — their softer rubber compound stays more flexible in cold weather, improving grip and reducing braking distance.
2. Fluids: Coolant, Screenwash, Oil, Brake Fluid
Winter weather can wreak havoc on your car’s fluids — but with a little care, you can avoid a host of problems.
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Coolant / Antifreeze: A good antifreeze/coolant mixture is one of the most important winter checks. This protects your engine from freezing and helps maintain the correct operating temperature. As temperatures drop, water alone may freeze — so ensure your coolant contains antifreeze and is topped up to the correct level (between the min/max marks on the reservoir). If possible, test the freezing point of your coolant with an antifreeze tester to make sure it's effective down to sub-zero temperatures.
If you find rust, sludge, or discolouration, that could indicate corrosion or contamination — in which case, a professional flush and refill is advisable. -
Screenwash / Windscreen Washer Fluid: Winter roads are often dirty and salty, and visibility quickly becomes a concern. Ordinary washer fluid can freeze or be ineffective in cold, but a winter-grade screenwash (rated to at least -10 °C or lower) will help keep your windscreen clear of ice, rain, salt and grime.
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Engine Oil: Cold weather makes oil thicker and harder to circulate — leading to difficult cold starts and increased wear. If your car is due an oil change, winter is a good time. Use the correct oil viscosity as recommended in your owner’s manual. During winter, the right oil ensures the engine is properly lubricated even when cold.
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Brake Fluid (and other fluids): Low or contaminated brake fluid can become more problematic in wet, salty winter conditions, increasing corrosion risk or impairing braking efficiency. Always check fluid levels and condition before winter sets in.
3. Battery & Electrical Systems
Once cold weather hits, many breakdowns are down to dying or weak batteries. Lower temperatures reduce a battery’s ability to provide a strong enough start — especially after the car has been parked overnight in cold conditions.
Before winter begins, it’s wise to get your battery tested. If it’s more than a few years old or showing signs of weakness (slow starts, dim lights, sluggish electrics), consider replacing it — better now than stranded in freezing rain on a Sunday night.
Also, check all lights and indicators. With shorter days and poor visibility, functional headlights, brake lights, fog lights and indicators are vital for safety. Replace bulbs or fuses if needed; and ensure that all external lights are clean and unobscured by salt or grime.
4. Visibility & Driving Comfort: Wipers, Heater, Seals
Winter means more rain, frost, road salt and chance of frozen windows — so don’t neglect visibility and comfort.
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Wiper blades: Old or worn wipers may smear rather than clear your windscreen, especially with icy rain or salt-laden spray. Test your wipers — spray washer fluid, run the blades — and check for splits, tears or stiffness. If they’re worn, change them. Many experts recommend changing wiper blades annually.
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Heater and demister system: Before frost or fog becomes a daily problem, test your heater and demister. Make sure warm air flows freely, and that the rear window demister works. A working heating system is about comfort — but also safety: it keeps your windscreen clear, defrosted, and reduces condensation on the inside when temperatures fluctuate.
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Door and seal maintenance: Cold weather can cause door seals or locks to freeze, which can leave you locked out. A quick application of silicone spray or a rubber seal protectant around door rubbers can help avoid freezing or sticking.
5. Safety & Emergency Kit — Be Ready for the Unexpected
Even the best-maintained cars can run into trouble during winter — black ice, heavy rain, or long, slow journeys in traffic. That’s why having an emergency kit in your boot is smart. Include essentials like:
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Ice scraper and de-icer spray
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Jumper cables or a portable battery booster
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Reflective warning triangle (or two)
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Torch and spare batteries
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Blanket, warm gloves, hat — and maybe even a spare coat
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In-car phone charger
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Spare screenwash & washer fluid
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Basic first aid kit
When Should You Do These Checks?
For UK drivers, early autumn (late October to early November) is the ideal time to begin your winter prep. The weather is often still mild enough for easy checks, yet cool enough to anticipate dropping temperatures.
If you missed that window — don’t worry. It’s never too late. Even a late November check can save you from a December breakdown or icy morning hassle. And if conditions worsen unexpectedly — like an early frost or sudden cold snap — it’s worth revisiting these checks before every long winter journey.
Why Choose Professional Help
Many of these checks you can perform yourself — and some you should. But for those that affect core systems (coolant flush, brake fluid inspection, battery health, tyre replacement, oil changes), a professional touch ensures everything is done to the manufacturer’s standards.
At a trusted local garage such as Harts of Honiton, a winter check-up can include full fluid top-ups or replacements, a thorough battery health test, tyre inspection (and replacement if needed), and a full lighting and visibility check. This kind of seasonal “once-over” takes the guesswork out of winter preparation — and gives you confidence that your vehicle is ready to face the cold months head-on.
Final Thoughts — Why Winter Prep Is Worth It
Winter car care isn’t just about avoiding a cold morning breakdown. It’s about safety, reliability, cost-effectiveness — and peace of mind. A well-prepared car handles better on icy or wet roads, starts easily on frosty mornings, uses fuel more efficiently, and is far less likely to leave you stranded.
By investing a little time and effort before winter really arrives — checking tyres, fluids, lights, battery, visibility, and packing a proper emergency kit — you’re not just avoiding trouble: you’re ensuring that your vehicle remains dependable, safe and roadworthy all season.
So whether it’s a quick tyre check or a full winter-readiness service, now is the time to act. A little preparation goes a long way when the frost bites. Stay safe, and happy driving this winter — from everyone at Harts of Honiton.