5 Car Checks to Do Before Winter in Redditch

The cold mornings are back. Every year the first frost brings the same phone calls around Redditch. Cars that won't start. Windscreens that won't clear. Most of it can be caught early with a few checks you can do on your own driveway in about ten minutes.

1. Tyres

The legal minimum tread in the UK is 1.6mm across the central three quarters of the tyre. Grip drops off well before that though, especially on wet or icy roads, and a lot of people in the trade suggest around 3mm for winter.

Here's an easy test. Put a 20p coin into the main grooves. If you can see the outer band of the coin, get your tyres looked at.

Check the pressures while you're down there. Cold weather drops tyre pressure, so a tyre that was fine in September might be low now. The right figures are in your handbook, or on a sticker inside the driver's door or fuel flap.

2. Battery

Flat batteries are the most common winter breakdown we see. Cold makes it harder for a battery to do its job, and one that was just about coping in summer can give up on the first frosty morning.

Keep an eye out if the engine is slow to turn over or the lights dim when you start it. If your battery is four or five years old, it's worth having it tested before it leaves you stuck on the drive. We can test it and fit a new one at your home or work if it needs it.

3. Coolant

Only check this with the engine cold. Never open the cap on a hot engine. Pop the bonnet and find the coolant expansion tank. The level should sit between the MIN and MAX marks. If you need to top up, use the type your handbook recommends, because mixing the wrong ones can cause problems later.

4. Screenwash and wipers

Plain water in the washer bottle will freeze. Use a proper winter screenwash so you can clear the road salt off your screen when you need to.

If your wipers smear or judder across the glass, they're worn. New blades don't cost much and make a big difference on a dark wet evening.

And please don't pour boiling water on a frozen windscreen. The sudden change in temperature can crack the glass. A scraper and some de-icer will do the job, you just need to give yourself a few extra minutes.

5. Lights

It's dark when you leave for work and dark when you come home, so every bulb counts. Walk round the car and check your headlights on dipped and full beam, then your indicators and fog lights. Get someone to stand behind the car while you press the brake pedal. Give the lenses a wipe too, because a layer of road grime can make your lights noticeably dimmer.

Something extra for the boot

Keep an ice scraper and de-icer in the car, along with a torch, a blanket, a phone charger and some water. If you've got kids with you, throw in a few snacks and an extra jumper. You'll be glad of it if you ever end up stuck in traffic on the M42 on a freezing night.

Not sure about any of this?

We're S&K Mechanics Ltd, a mobile mechanic based in Redditch, and we cover the surrounding areas of Worcestershire. You can see everything we do on our services page. We come to you, at home or at work, so you don't have to get your car to a garage and sit around waiting. Not sure whether your job needs a garage? Read our guide on mobile mechanic or garage in Redditch.

Our call out fee is £50. If you go ahead with the repair after we've found the problem, we take that £50 off your bill. Send us your car details and we'll give you a free quote with no obligation.

Message or call us on 07310420388 to book.