subject: Winter Driving How To Prepare For It [print this page] Cold weather is very hard on your car, which is why it is important that it is in peak condition before the winter begins. Checking your car before the winter starts will ensure you do not end up stranded in the sleet or fog.
Begin by checking your radiator coolant levels and adding antifreeze. Antifreeze degrades over time, so it is important to top your car up each year with a good brand. A cracked radiator can be very expensive to replace and will definitely leave you car-less for a few days.
Next check that your battery is in good condition, start by checking that the connections and cables are not corroded or split. If your battery is not holding a charge properly, now is the time to find out why and get it repaired. Generally speaking a car battery only operates well for about 5 years, so you may need a new one.
Change your windscreen wipers if they are worn, do not forget to do the same to the rear screen wiper if you have one. Top up the washer reservoir with anti-freeze and proper windscreen washer solution. Using plain water has been shown to be a small health risk, due to harmful bacteria that thrive in the warm reservoir. This bacteria is thought to enter the car in the spray via the vents as you wash the screen.
Visually check the spark plugs, condenser, ignition coil, distributor cap, points and all visible cables for signs of corrosion or splits. If you find any, get them replaced. The electrical systems that they feed will be more prone to breakdown, once the wet weather starts. Leaving this kind of fault until a system fails is much more expensive than preventing it by changing a few cables.
