Is your car ready for the winter? If you haven’t thought about this yet, you are in the right place. Read this article and think about testing your battery, checking the fluid levels and changing the tyres to avoid any issues with starting and running the vehicle. Also, consider some self-storage.
Check the Battery
When the winter weather starts, the first thing you should check is your car’s battery. The car battery is the device used to start the car in the morning, but if it’s older, you might run into issues that can prevent you from getting to work. A car battery typically lasts for five years.
You can test a car battery using a voltage meter that you buy online; you can also find videos online on how to use this device. Alternatively, you can take your vehicle to the garage and have a mechanic check it professionally. A new battery is affordable and easy for your to install.
Use Antifreeze
A car engine has some fluids in it to maintain optimal performance; one of these fluids is called coolant. A coolant is a form of antifreeze that regulate the temperature of the engine when the temperature changes. You need to make sure your coolant level is topped up during the winter.
Coolant is easy to find in the local shops and supermarkets; it is usually pink or green coloured. Open the bonnet of your car and find the coolant container; it normally has a raised icon on the plastic or says coolant on it. There is a measure of the coolant so that you can fill it accurately.
Winter Tyres
Winter tyres are important for safety and performance in the colder months. Winter tyres are thicker and patterned differently than summer ones. When you run summer tyres in the winter, you run the risk of aquaplaning on the puddles and losing traction on snow and black ice.
If you don’t have winter tyres in your garage that you can change over yourself, take your car to a local tyre centre and have them replaced. It will cost you some money for a new set of tyres, but you will have them for a few years, depending on usage. Remember to store them safely.
Self-storage
If you want the best performance for your vehicle over the winter, make sure you have high-quality self-storage. Learn how to prepare car for storage so that you reduce the chances of a flat battery and protect the car’s bodywork from rust due to exposure to precipitation.
Self-storage units are available for household goods, but they can also be used for storing vehicles. If you don’t have a car garage at your home or you live in an urban flat, it could be time to invest in a self-storage facility for the winter to protect your car and reduce running costs.
Final Thoughts
It’s important to pay attention to your car in the winter to avoid issues and improve performance. It’s important to charge the battery, change the tyres, change the fluid levels, and more. It’s also a good idea to store your vehicle in a self-storage facility that protects it from the winter weather.