It may feel like it must be nearing the end of winter but the reality is we are only really at the midpoint in this year’s bone chilling and record breaking winter season. Not since 1978 has it been this cold and as a result our car breakdown figures are a long way above average as the consistently brutal conditions take their toll on our vehicles.

Now more perhaps than ever you should be thinking seriously about nipping your car in for a mid winter check up to help prevent the need for our breakdown cover services!

Sure, for just £30 you can cover your car should you breakdown but prevention is always better than care and so our experts have pulled together a check list of maintenance points that you could hand to your local garage to check your car out and ensure it’s still fighting fit.

Mid Winter Car Check Up Checklist:

Lubrication – check oil levels and quality for signs of deterioration

Check front tyres – (or the rears if your car is rear wheel drive). The bad conditions of road surfaces and of course the snow and ice itself can cause serious damage to your tyres and this is when you need them most.

Inspect brake linings – You tend to brake harder and more often in bad conditions and the cold can also attack vital brake components, often causing a dangerous breakdown.

Inspect steering – If you have been through a few potholes or have turned suddenly it can pay to check your steering to ensure everything is still well balanced and safe.

Tighten hose connections – Constantly freezing and thawing ice can loosen connections and these need urgent attention. A large percentage of our winter breakdown incidents are the result of a damaged or disconnected hose.

Inspect spindle bolts and bushings – for the same reason as above.

Inspect and adjust fan belt – your engine works harder in cold conditions and your fan belt takes a lot of the abuse so make sure it is standing up to the abuse.

Clean and tighten battery cables – Batteries can be damaged by winter temperatures so give all connections a clean to help it out in any way you can.

Check antifreeze – for obvious reasons!

Check horn, windscreen, wiper blades and brakes – All of these things work harder and for longer and have to put up with ice so make sure they are all working like new.

For more advice on how to keep your car functioning this winter talk to us now on 0800 0199519