Getting Your Car Winter Ready

The Carzone guide to getting your car winter ready.

Have you felt it? That chill in the morning air, the faint hint of frost on early morning grass and the gathering darkness of the evenings. Winter is officially just days away now, and its most definitely a good idea to give your car a once-over before the really bad weather sets in.

I know, we live in Ireland, so the weather is bad all year round, but even so winter has its own special lousiness of weather that makes taking a few extra precautions a rather good idea.

First off, visibility. Any cracks or chips in your windscreen? Get them sorted out or even get the screen replaced. They will make seeing out harder and if there are excessive changes of temperature then cracks can get much bigger as freezing water forces its way in. Get all of your lights checked and make sure you fit replacement bulbs as needed (most motor factors are happy to fit them for you to save you skinning your knuckles...) and make sure your wiper blades are in good order.

Next, get a decent pair of sunglasses. Yes, really. It won't be sunny as often, but the low winter sun comes right in through the windscreen, which can be more blinding than a bright summer day. Worse still, sunlight reflecting off of a wet road after a shower can be even worse for your vision, so some decent sunglasses with polarised lenses are a must-have for the winter.

Then you need to turn to the mechanical aspects of the car. If your car is due a service during the winter, it's not a bad idea to bring that forward a couple of months and get it done now. That way you can make sure that all fluids and oils are topped up to the proper levels and that the correct amount of anti-freeze has been put in. Plus, the garage will find any weak points that might be affected by colder or wetter weather and you'll have the chance to put them right before the cold really sets in.

Then you'll want to think about tyres. Now, the whole idea of winter tyres is something of a vexed one. Yes, they're useful not just when all is snowy and icy, but also when the ambient temperature drops below seven degrees Celsius, which it does a lot from November onwards. It's the rubber you see - standard tyres can become stiffer and more brittle as the mercury falls, whereas winter tyres have a softer compound that stays flexible at lower temperatures, improving grip and traction and reducing braking distances.

Of course the downside is that you have to store them and have them swapped over, plus winter tyres wear faster if you drive a longer journey in higher temperatures. There is a middle ground though - tyre makers such as Michelin and Bridgestone now make 'all-season' tyres that are designed to offer the best of both worlds. They're certainly worth considering.

Finally, keep an eye on the weather forecast. If heavy rain (leading to floods) or snow and ice are forecast, then be prepared. Make sure you carry a good quality torch, a hi-vis jacket, some blankets or towels, gloves and maybe a pair of wellies just in case the worst comes to the worst and you have to get out and push or even go for help.

As with all things, getting the better of winter is all about being prepared. Do that, and it's half the battle won.