We’re offering you some free tips to help you ensure you are prepared for 2019 and whatever the weather has in store.
Prepare your car and check it regularly throughout January and beyond while the threat of very cold and wet weather continues.
Many forecasters are predicting that the UK is going to have a particularly severe spell with some areas potentially getting heavy snow and freezing temperatures or even soon bad flooding again, so it is important we are all prepared.
Battery failure is responsible for almost half of all breakdowns in winter. The average battery will last around five years, so if yours is older than this it may be worth investing in a new one. To extend your battery life don’t use electrical systems, such as heated rear windscreens for longer than needed.
Ensure you have a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water in your radiator as this will prevent your engine from freezing. To confirm what type of antifreeze is best for your car and how often it should be changed, check your handbook or you can call us for free advice.
Check your tyres and make sure they have at least two millimetres (mm) of tread. The legal minimum is 1.6mm but in wintery conditions we advise motorists have at least 2mm. It is also worth considering switching to winter tyres, especially if you live in a rural area where the roads may not be gritted.
We also suggest you check windscreen wipers work and ensure you have windscreen wash mixed in with your water because it also acts as an antifreeze.
Finally,
we recommend you put together a winter driving kit, which includes a torch,
warm clothes, de-icer, a shovel and blankets.
When undertaking journeys where snow is expected, make sure your phone is fully
charged and that you have a pair of boots, food and a flask of hot drink in the
car just in case. This is all just as important in wet weather too.