Winter-Proof Your Car
With the winter months upon on us, the cold sets in and driving conditions on the road can be very different from what we are used to. At this time of year drivers have to contend with a whole host of different weather conditions such as snow, ice, fleet, hail, heavy rain and fog. Being out on the roads in these conditions can be hazardous and therefore it is important to ensure that your vehicle is in tip-top condition before you take it out for a drive. A car that is in a state of disrepair may not be able to cope with winter driving conditions such as ice or standing water as well as one that has been carefully maintained. Winter proofing you car does not need to be difficult, but there are few essential things you should consider getting done at this time of year.
First of all you should check your tyre tread. There is a minimum legal requirement of 1.6mm for tyre tread which is fine when you are driving in normal conditions. However, if there is snow and ice to contend with then you should increase the tyre tread to 3mm as this will enable your car to handle surface water and slippery surfaces better. You are better off replacing old and worn tyres completely to ensure that your car is safe to drive, as older tyres may not be able to handle the roads as well. With the ice and snow often comes sleet and heavy rain, which can cause visibility problems when driving on the roads. Making sure you keep your screen-wash fully topped up and renewing old wiper blades, are a few ways of helping to maintain a clear line of sight. Don’t be tempted to skimp on these items or use cheaper alternatives such as washing up liquid instead of screen-wash, as you will end up having problems seeing later on.
If you own a newer more modern car, you should find that it already possess a number of inbuilt features, which help it to cope with winter weather. For example modern engines are now designed to be able to start quickly and cleanly even when the engine is cold. Older cars may not be able to do this and you may find you need to cover the engine with a blanket over night to help it start in the mornings. If you do, do this then it is essential you remember to remove the blanket before starting the engine otherwise you could have a fire on your hands and neither you nor your motor insurance company want that. If the engine does not seem to want to start on a cold morning you should try depressing the clutch when turning the ignition as this reduces drag. Make sure you keep an eye on your body-work as there tends to be more water and dirt around at this time of year, which could cause rusting and corrosion if not cleaned off. If you rely on your car to get you around in your daily life then it is worth investing some time getting it ready for winter. Whilst there is no substitute for safe driving having a car that is ready to face these cold conditions and car insurance is important. In the end it could mean the difference between being in an accident and avoiding one.
Rochelle Martinez, Freelance Web Content Article Writer for three years. Some of her articles are about http://www.quinn-direct.com.
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Tags: essential things, heavy rain, older cars, slippery surfaces, tyre tread, visibility problems, washing up liquid, winter driving conditions, winter weather, worn tyres