Tips to get a car winter Ready
As the colder months and shorter days of winter approach you should be thinking about how the impact of colder weather impacts both your car and the way you drive it.
Taking some simple steps like making sure your regular service schedule is up to date, all your fluids are in good condition and topped up and even giving the vehicle a thorough clean and wax to see you safely through the colder months can all help look after your car as well as your comfort and safety.
Woolgoolga Motors are here to help
The dedicated team at Woolgoolga Motors in Woolgoolga take pride and their work and whilst they are always busy they are never rushed, because good car service needs to be done correctly. Bring your car in for a service before the cold really hits in force and we will be more than happy to advise you of anything you should be aware of regarding your vehicle, including advice on how to prepare your vehicle for winter.
Here are a few other things to consider during the cold season
Visibility
Short winter days mean we are more likely to be driving in the dark. Now is the time to grab a partner and do a walk around your car checking all the lights. You will need your helper to check the brake lights and reverse as well as all the indicators, high and low beam. Now that you are sure you are optimally visible, make sure you can see clearly through the windscreen. It is amazing the difference a quick clean of the inside of the windscreen can make and if the wipers make it harder to see where you are going, they can be easily replaced.
Exterior Protection
Let’s face it, you probably won’t feel like splashing around washing your car in the middle of winter. To neglect your cars exterior guilt free, protect the paintwork with a wash followed by a good quality wax treatment to see you through until spring.
Use it or lose it
Your air conditioning system needs frequent use to keep the system lubricated and prevent seals from drying out. Dry seals are leaky seals which allow your air-con gas to slowly escape into the atmosphere. Using your air conditioning as a demister is more efficient as it sucks away moisture which is the cause of foggy windows; a win-win for demisting and keeping your air conditioning system healthy.
Tread Carefully
Tread means traction. To have winter ready tyres be sure that you have sufficient tread and the correct inflation, as this is what your tyres need for the safest handling. When it’s wet, the tyre tread pumps water out of the way to improve contact with the road. Tyres must have at least 1.5mm of tread to be road legal. Cold weather can cause your tyre pressure to drop and while this won’t make a massive difference, it’s probably been a long time since you checked your tyre pressures, so use the cold as an excuse and check them as soon as possible. Driving with underinflated or bald tyres affects handling, braking and your safety.
Safety Check
As we approach the months with the highest rainfall of the year it makes good sense to have a mechanic go over your brakes and suspension and make sure that everything is in order. Wet conditions can have a huge impact on driving and in particular braking and stopping distances. The best tyres in the world wont help you if your braking system isn't up to the task.
Regular servicing with a trustworthy mechanic like Woolgoolga Motors in Woolgoolga will go a long way towards making sure your vehicle is running safely and efficiently and is ready for winter. Come and see us for a service before winter really sets in...
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