The recent cold snap has caught many of us off guard. It’s safe to say that winter is fast approaching!
Although we don’t get snow or freezing temperatures in the Sunshine State, it is still important to be aware of the impact of cold weather on your vehicle.
Follow these winter car care tips to keep your car in top condition.
Watch your battery
The battery is the lifeblood of your car. Regardless of your vehicle’s condition, a dead battery means you’re getting nowhere fast.
During summer, batteries don’t have to work too hard to get started in the morning. But it’s a completely different story in the colder weather. The extra energy needed to start a battery in the cold weather makes them more susceptible to running out of charge in the winter months.
What are the warning signs of a failing battery?
There are two telltale signs that your battery is struggling:
1. Slow starts
A fading battery will struggle to get started. This means that your car will feel and sound sluggish on start up.
2. Dimming headlights
If your headlights are fading during or just after start up, it usually means that your battery is on its last legs.
How to preserve your battery
The key to preserving your battery is simply to stay aware. Whenever you change the oil, make checking the battery part of your routine. Clean the terminals to avoid corrosion and ensure that the cables are all tightly connected.
Most car batteries tend to last between 3 and 5 years. If you think you are approaching changeover time, it may be well worth having your battery tested by an EAI mechanic. We can tell you if your battery is starting to fail and save you an awkward situation down the track.
Care for Your Windscreen
1. Wiper Check
Windscreen wipers are an essential part of car safety, but are usually neglected until they are on their last legs. Driving on a rainy winter day can be exceedingly hazardous without fully operational wipers. Be diligent and keep on top of your windscreen wiper changes.
Loosely, wiper blades should be replaced every six months. But in the end it comes down to common sense – if your wipers are squeaking, shuddering or leaving streaks across your windscreen, it’s time for a change.
If you aren’t confident doing so yourself, an EAI mechanic is be more than happy to lend a hand.
2. Windscreen preservation
If your windscreen is fogged over in the morning, resist the temptation to cover it in hot water to clear it off. This may have you seeing clearly momentarily. But the sudden change in temperature can be too much for the glass to cope with, and may well leave you with a cracked windscreen!
Check Your Tyres
1. Wear and Tear
Bald tyres are always dangerous – especially so on wet, slippery roads. Don’t risk an accident. Ensure that your tyres have enough tread and rotate your tyres every so often to create even wear and tear.
Keep in mind that as the weather cools, the pressure of your tyres will drop. Optimise your handling and fuel efficiency by keeping tabs on your tyre pressure. Your hip pocket will thank you for it.
Think you know it all when it comes to winter car care? Put yourself to the test using this NRMA winter car care quiz.
