Agents of Drive - A car blog by a team of undercover agents(ish

3 people, 6 cars and a whole lotta fun!

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Featured
  • Cars
  • Car Buying
  • In Car Stuff
  • Driving Guides
  • Contact Me

How to Keep Your Car in Good Condition This Winter

January 12, 2016 10:08 am Filed to: Cars by Jerry

More than any other time of the year, winter requires your utmost attention when driving. The combination of icy roads and reduced visibility will impact your own driving skill considerably, while the low temperatures can have grave effects on your vehicle’s internals. However, many of these issues can be avoided when the right precautions are put in place. Here’s what you need to know to stay safe:

Preventing Breakdowns

Battery faults are the most common cause of vehicle breakdowns, but the trend is particularly exacerbated during winter. This is due to a number of different factors. For one, the driver’s increased use of the lights, heater, and wipers places added stress on the battery, which already struggles with power output drops during colder temperatures. Similarly, since many cars sit unused over the Christmas period, the first Monday after the festive break is typically the biggest breakdown day of the year. To avoid this, make sure anything electrical is switched off in your car when you park up. Anything left on overnight could kill the battery.

Staying on the Road

When the temperature is below 7 degrees, the tread compound on standard tyres has a tendency to harden and lose its grip. In fact, according to a report by car manufacturer Kia, almost half of winter car accidents are the result of skidding. Because of this, it’s highly recommended that you drive with at least 3mm of tyre tread. If you are expecting a particularly harsh winter, you may want to invest in specialised winter tyres. These have a much high silica content as well as a redesigned tread pattern that’s specifically designed to retain flexibility, even in low temperatures.

Improving Your Vision

Keeping your windscreen clear should be a priority during winter where snowfall or fog can obscure your vision. Make sure that all of your bulbs are working prior to setting off on any journeys and that your lenses are clean. Take a look at this guide from Start Rescue on the best ways to de-ice your windscreen. The main trick is to use specialised deicing fluid over the entirety of your windscreen and any other windows. Alternative methods, like applying hot water or using the car’s internal heating system, are not recommended.

With a little preparation, you should have no problem keeping out of trouble this winter season. Don’t forget to take a look at more of our tips on how to keep your car in optimum condition.

TAGGED WIDTH auto, bikes, driving tips, lifeontheroad, motorcycles, roadlife

Previous post
The Important Considerations when Buying a Car
Next post
HID Headlights Kits- Top Tips When Buying for the First Time

Recent Posts

  • How to Rent a Car with Discount Code and Save Money?
  • Things to Know Before Getting a High-Output Alternator
  • Reasons to Do a DIY Car Stereo Installation
  • 3 Myths About Leasing a Vehicle Busted, How You Can Lease a Toyota Today
  • Car Repair and Maintenance Tips That You Should Know

Categories

  • Aston Martin (1)
  • Audi (4)
  • Bikes and Cycles (6)
  • Car Buying (35)
  • Cars (106)
  • Convertible (1)
  • Driving Guides (19)
  • Entertainment Only (4)
  • Featured (24)
  • First Drive (1)
  • Ford (4)
  • Future Cars (4)
  • Hyundai (1)
  • In Car Stuff (8)
  • Injury (3)
  • Lamborghini (1)
  • Mercedes (1)
  • mini (1)
  • Motor Sport (1)
  • New Cars (5)
  • Reviews (9)
  • Toyota (3)
  • Truck Buyers (2)
  • Volkswagen (6)

OUR VALUED SPONSORS

SPONSORED LINKS

Special Offers : Save on quality tires with these manufacturer's promotions available from Tire Rack.

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?

POPULAR PORSCHE POSTS

How to Rent a Car with Discount Code and Save Money?

Things to Know Before Getting a High-Output Alternator

Reasons to Do a DIY Car Stereo Installation

3 Myths About Leasing a Vehicle Busted, How You Can Lease a Toyota Today

Car Repair and Maintenance Tips That You Should Know

When to Trade in Your Car

Find us on Facebook

  • February 2022
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • January 2015
  • November 2014

Some Reader Favorites

How to Rent a Car with Discount Code and Save Money?

Things to Know Before Getting a High-Output Alternator

Reasons to Do a DIY Car Stereo Installation

3 Myths About Leasing a Vehicle Busted, How You Can Lease a Toyota Today

Car Repair and Maintenance Tips That You Should Know

Latest Tweets

  • Noisli - background noise and color generator for working and relaxing http://t.co/1YU7uPET9Z @noisliover a year ago
  • How to Build a Mobile App That Empowers Your Brand http://t.co/CyZtYDgjl4over a year ago
  • Я смотрю трансляцию NASAtelevision в прямом эфире на @Ustream! Присоединяйтесь http://t.co/SPe2NL4tbp !over a year ago

Looking For Something?

STAY CONNECTED WITH FLATSIXES

Back to top

Copyright © Flatsixes.com 2015 · All Rights Reserved

Facebook
fb-share-icon
Twitter
Tweet