As the winter months are approaching, it is important to make sure your car is safe for driving. The roads could be frosty, wet, and covered in potholes, and your car may not have sufficient grip or coolant. Here are our tips on how to handle the coming season and avoid the consequences of not preparing your car for winter.
Sufficient Tyre Tread:
Having sufficient tyre tread is paramount for staying safe in the winter months. Without the grip, you may find yourself in some difficult/scary situations on the roads. You could have trouble cornering, slowing down and keeping overall control of your car – so it’s really important to check your tyres as soon as possible.
We recommend having all-season tyres which are fit for the whole year. This will save you having to change from summer tyres to winter tyres every 6 months, potentially costing you a lot of extra cash. 1.6mm is the legal tyre tread limit. However, in the winter it is very risky to be driving near this range. 4mm is considered the minimum you need for sufficient grip in the winter. If in any doubt, check with Tivoli.
National Tyre Safety Month
October was National Tyre Safety Month. Having correctly inflated tyres with the correct grip is crucial for your safety and that of others. Under-inflation by 8PSI (per square inch) can decrease the life of a tyre by 25% and increase fuel consumption by 3.1%. It’s important to always be aware of the condition of your tyres. Spread awareness with your family and friends to make sure they are also safe on the roads.
Here at Tivoli, we can fit your car with the best all-season tyres, and show you how to check your tread if you are unsure how to do this.
All-season tyres we recommend include the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons.
What Does Antifreeze Do?
Antifreeze, also known as engine coolant, plays an important part in the health of your car. It is a coloured liquid, which can vary from red to purple, that will help regulate your engine temperatures during extreme conditions, such as those sub-zero winter days. It will also help prevent engine corrosion.
If you find yourself low on engine coolant, make sure you top it up as soon as possible and that you are using the correct coolant as well. Having excessively low coolant or no coolant can lead to many expensive issues with your car, such as blown head gaskets or cylinder heads. Remember, replacing your engine is possibly the most expensive fault you can be dealing with, so always make sure you are topped up with coolant.
Windscreen Wiper Blades & Air Conditioning:
Driving in winter conditions can be near impossible if you can’t see out of your windows. Be sure to check your wiper blades are working correctly and are not leaving any streaks on the windows. If you do get streaks it can be a lot harder to see, so changing the wipers is imperative, as it is hard enough to see when it’s raining, let alone when it‘s snowing.
Being able to de-mist your windows is vital because if you can’t, your vision will be severely reduced. Check that your air conditioning unit (AC) is working correctly so you are set for the roads. If your AC isn’t working why not come down to our Auto Centre and we will be able to assist.
Tivoli Auto Services
Here at Tivoli Auto Services, we will be able to get your car ready for the winter months ahead – and advise you on how to regularly check your car – and what you need to be looking out for to keep you safe on the roads. Give us a call on 01424 442277.
