Car hacks for cold weather

The weather getting colder can be great in lots of ways –cosy nights in, Christmas is on the way and (obviously) an excuse to eat comfort food.

However, the colder weather can be pretty tough on your car – here are some handy tips on how to keep your car running well in the colder weather. 

• Check your antifreeze regularly so you know that it should be fine when the temperatures drop
• Although it’s important to make sure your windscreen is fully clear before you drive off, don’t use boiling water to defrost an icy windscreen.  The sudden change in temperatures could cause the glass to crack, especially if any small chips or cracks were already present - and who on earth wants to fork out for a new windscreen?
• Cleaning your car might be the last thing you want to do in the cold but giving it a rinse as often as you can is beneficial – the road salt that’s put down during the winter can be corrosive so you don’t want it collecting on your car if possible. And if you don’t want to do it yourself, just take it through a car wash!
• Always be prepared – make sure you’ve got everything in your car so that if you break down in the cold weather, you’re not completely stuck.  Things like always having the correct oil, water, windscreen fluid and anti-freeze in your boot is always a good idea, and in winter try adding some blankets, a de-icer and scraper, some food and drink and a bag of road salt to help you grip on icy roads for extra peace of mind.
• Check your exterior lights regularly – as the nights get darker you want to make sure people can see you coming. 

These tips aren’t ground breaking and they’re likely things you find yourself doing on a regular basis anyway, but as the festive season ramps up and the days get busier and seem to get shorter with the dark nights (how does that happen?) it’s sometimes good to be reminded.

Are there any tips you swear by to keep your car running well in winter?

Did we miss anything? Let us know by sharing your tips!