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Tips to keep your car upright this winter

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Published on November 10, 2021. EST READ TIME: 3 minutes

Winter is right around the corner, and as a season that is often accompanied by adverse weather conditions, it’s best you take precautionary measures against it now. Just like the way you revamp your wardrobe to match the cold season, you must prepare your car for winter blues. Unlike summers and monsoons, which pose obvious threats to your car’s wellbeing, the effects of winter can be subtle but devastating on your vehicle’s internal functioning.

And that is why it is best to go for preventive maintenance before the winter season kicks in and save yourself a lot of money in the long run. Even if you renew your car insurance on time, it is better to avoid a situation where you need to file a claim or waste the no claims bonus you have accumulated for so long. Here’s what you can do to ensure your car is in top shape during winter:

1. Maintain battery health

Batteries dying are common during winter and can leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere with the car refusing to start. In cold temperatures, the power of your battery reduces, sometimes as much as by 50%. If your battery is older than five years, and you intend to take a winter trip, it’s recommended to change the battery. Meanwhile, get your battery load-tested annually to understand its capacity to hold charge. Also, get it inspected by a mechanic to ensure all terminals, cables, and connections are corrosion-free and working as specified.

2. Take care of tyres

Cold temperatures can contract the air in your tyres, reducing its pressure or deflating it. Such conditions exert an additional strain on your car’s fuel consumption, decreasing mileage, while also straining your tyre rubber, causing enhanced wear. Furthermore, tyres with inadequate pressure will also affect the driveability of the vehicle, reducing the control you have over it, especially in treacherous conditions.

Check your tyre pressure weekly with an analogue or digital gauge and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines while filling air. Also, consider switching to snow tyres, especially if you’re going to be travelling on icy, wet roads. Winter tyres will provide additional grip and control on such surfaces.

Rotate your tyres and consider replacing any tyre that isn’t up to the mark. Additionally, ensure you have all the tools to change your tyre quickly should you encounter an unfortunate situation on your trip.

3. Check the braking system

Your brakes work harder during winter, much like your tyres. Which is why it’s recommended to conduct a thorough examination of the braking system, once before the season, and one midway through. The rainy season preceding winter can leave your brake components rusted and weak. Also, because of the cold temperatures, the moisture in your brake fluid container can crystallise and form ice molecules, which is detrimental to your car’s inner components. So, change the brake fluid during the winter season to ensure your brakes are functioning fine.

4. Change wiper blades and fluid

Precipitation, whether in the form of rain or snow, can quickly damage your wiper blades, especially the latter. With ice on the glass, you need capable wipers to ensure visibility and safety. Consider buying high-end, high-function wiper blades that will be durable. Try not to go for low-quality wipers even if it helps you save some money. Furthermore, change your wiper fluid, as regular fluids will freeze during winter, handicapping the use of wipers. Consider keeping extra wiper fluid in the vehicle always.

5. Readjust coolant

Just like the other liquids in the car, the coolant is also prone to freezing, especially in sub-zero conditions. The coolant can freeze in the radiator if the correct mixture of anti-freeze and water isn’t used. While usually a 50:50 ratio works in cold temperatures, you might need a 70:30 ratio of anti-freeze to water if temperatures go below zero. The anti-freeze will help keep corrosion at bay, while also protecting your engine from the effects of extreme temperatures.

6. Change motor oil

Cold temperatures can cause the motor oil to thicken. This will reduce its mobility, and therefore, the internal functioning of the engine. Therefore, it is recommended to switch on the car and let it idle for a few minutes before you start your journey. This will increase the overall temperature of the engine compartment, thin the motor oil in the process, and allow smooth delivery of fuel to essential components.

However, you should change the motor oil completely to a thinner, low-viscosity fluid. Also, change your oil every 8000 kilometres to keep your engine in good shape.

7. Don’t ignore general tuning and preparation

Get your car thoroughly checked before winter sets in and check spark plugs, terminals, electricals, hoses, belts, and screws, nuts, and bolts. Familiarise yourself with the AWD or 4WD system of the vehicle. Keep a box of safety equipment and accessories in the car that includes jumper cables, first-aid kit, tyre-changing tools, cleaning towels, extra coolant, and flashlight.

Also, keep your tank full, to prevent moisture build-up inside, and to allow yourself the option of keeping the engine on for warmth in case you need to wait in the cold for assistance.

Conclusion

By keeping the above tips in mind, you can keep your car functioning optimally even in adverse weather conditions that winter brings. While you should renew car insurance without fail, no matter what the season, prevention is always better than cure.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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