Winter Preparations
As we approach the winter weather, there are a variety of things you can do to prepare your car and its tyres. One that involves the least effort is a trip to the local garage for a basic vehicle check, but there is plenty you can do yourself at home.
Firstly, turn all the lights on and check they are working, particularly the hazard lights and the full beam of the headlights. Next, check the windscreen for any chips and make sure the washer fluid nozzles are clear of any gunk (you can use a pin to clear them if necessary). Thinking of your washer fluid, make sure it’s suitable for winter – you don’t want it to freeze!
As for your car tyres, it is well worth considering winter tyres as they are better at keeping a firm grip on the road when conditions are bad. If you are planning to do any driving in Europe, it is actually a legal requirement in some countries for your car to have winter tyres fitted. If you aren’t planning any trips abroad, and are happy to keep standard tyres on your car, you should check they have plenty of tread left (at least 3mm is recommended in winter) and the right tyre pressure to give them the best chance of staying on the road. You should never reduce tyre pressures in order to increase grip – it’s a myth and not only doesn’t it work, it reduces stability.