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WINTER-READY Get your car DON’T LET DODGY MOTORS RUIN YOUR HOLIDAY PLANS! HERE’S A HANDY GUIDE TO THE BASICS OF COLD-WEATHER CARE
hile a drive on a bright, crisp winter’s morning can be one of life’s pleasures, the cold
weather creates a host of possible dangers and challenges for motorists. In order to keep your car in peak condition throughout the season – and be prepared for more extreme weather conditions – there are some essential jobs to get done. Recovery firms see a sharp surge in breakdowns during winter – so it’s worth being proactive to ensure your vehicle doesn’t have any simmering issues which might cause you problems down the line. Don’t wait for something to go wrong: book in for a service with your mechanic. Many, such as Barr-Tech on Cowley Road, offer car ‘health checks’ specifically for wintertime. Specialising in prestige Italian and German cars, this family-run business has been operating since 1993, so the staff know a thing or two about taking care of cars, all-year round. “While you can’t prevent breakdowns, good car maintenance can help reduce the risk,” comments Nino Barresi from the team. “A few minutes invested in some checks could save you the hassle and stress of being stranded at the side of the road. Equally, regular servicing will help to keep your car in tip-top condition and bring any issues to your attention early. However, as well prepared as you are, breakdowns happen unfortunately. That’s where breakdown cover comes in, which gives you peace of mind at the time of year you need it most.” He suggests checking oil, making sure your lights are clean and working, and ensuring your tyres can handle cold conditions. You’re also most likely to get a no- start situation in winter – and according
DON'T GET CAUGHT OUT Visibility is a key winter driving consideration, so wipe off that ice, clean your lights, and remember to scrub those number plates to avoid a pesky fine! Preparation is everything during wintertime
screen wash topped up, too. Windscreens get extra mucky on winter roads and in snowy or rainy weather, so ensure you’re using a quality screen wash that effectively removes grime – and won’t freeze when the temperature drops. You’ll need to make sure the wipers themselves are in decent condition as well (check for worn areas, rust and damage), and use a bit of rubbing alcohol to prevent them from freezing to your windscreen. Whether you’re heading out on a quick shopping trip or cross-country schlep to visit family, make adequate fuel a priority. Sounds blindingly obvious, but opening hours for petrol stations can be unpredictable (especially over Christmas), plus far more accidents happen in winter, making congestion worse – and increasing the likelihood of finding yourself in traffic with your petrol light blinking. You’re also more vulnerable if you run out of fuel in bad weather. A final thing to check before you head out for a drive, long or short, is the weather forecast. If anything catastrophic is on the cards, consider how your route might be impacted, and even if you need to take the journey at all.
to the RAC, the top reason for that is batteries. This is partly because people use more battery draining systems (heating, lights and wipers) in winter, but more importantly, because batteries are negatively affected by lower temperatures. The RAC advises charging your battery as much as once per week during the winter months, particularly if it’s more than three years old. Bear in mind that older, weaker batteries will tend to have impaired performance, which winter exacerbates. So, if yours is a few years old, or doesn’t hold charge well, the advice is to get it replaced before it fails you on a frosty morning! Make sure you have enough antifreeze – which prevents the engine’s cooling system from freezing – and keep your
A FEW MINUTES INVESTED IN SOME CHECKS COULD SAVE YOU BEING STRANDED ON THE ROAD
74 DECEMBER 2021 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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