Car Parts That Are Affected When Winter Maintenance Is Neglected

Car maintenance is one of those things that sits on your to do list forever but ignore it at your peril. Winter can be brutal on your vehicle, especially if regular maintenance is skipped. And let’s be honest, getting those minor jobs sorted when the weather is warm is far nicer than having to do it when the temperature’s nudging freezing.

So, what are the top maintenance areas you should be looking to avoid storing up trouble later on?

Battery Health

Cold weather can have a huge impact on your battery. Whether it’s a traditional lead/acid battery for a petrol or diesel car or a lithium-ion one for electric vehicles, the colder temperature can slow down its chemical reactions. This means your battery may struggle to generate and hold power. At the same time your car’s electrical demands go up – heaters, defrosters, heated seats etc can put even more strain on it. For electric cars it can also mean shortened range.

What to do about it:

• Check battery health – Get your battery tested, particularly if it’s older, before the weather turns cold. Weak batteries are far more likely to fail in winter
• Keep your battery charged – Whether electric or traditional a fully charged battery handles cold weather better
• Garage Parking – If you can, park your car in a garage or undercover as this can shield it from extreme cold
• Precondition the battery – If you drive an EV, use preconditioning to warm up the battery while the car is still plugged in. This helps improve range and performance
• Limit short trips - In winter your battery may not have enough time to recharge if you’re just popping down the road

Your Heater and Defroster

No one thinks about their car heater and defroster…until the weather turns cold and you find it doesn’t work! Checking it out in autumn before winter really begins to bite means you’ll stay toasty in the colder months and can see out of your windscreen.

What to do about it:

• Test the heater early – Don’t wait for the first frost. Turn the heater on in the autumn and check it is blowing hot air
• Top up coolant/antifreeze – Your heater relies on engine coolant. Low levels can result in poor performance
• Ensure vents and filters are clear – Clogged filters and blocked vents can reduce airflow and make your heater less effective

Lights

With the shorter days that winter brings making sure your lights are in good working order should be a top priority. Your lights aren’t just for helping you to see they also help other drivers see you. Faulty headlights, brake lights and indicators can increase your risk of accidents and even land you with a fine if you get pulled over.

What to do about it:

• Test all exterior lights – Turn on all exterior lights and check they’re working
• Clean lenses regularly – Dirt, grit and mud from winter roads can dull your beams
• Replace bulbs immediately – If any are flickering don’t wait for them to go, change them right away and carry spares if you’re planning long winter drives

Tyres

Worn, underinflated or unsuitable tyres seriously reduce your grip on the road and make it harder to steer, brake or accelerate safely. Proper winter tyre care ensures you get the best possible traction and handling.

• Check tread depth regularly – Minimum tread depth should be at least 3mm in winter even though the legal minimum is 1.6mm
• Monitor tyre pressure – Cold weather can cause tyre pressures to drop so check your tyres frequently
• Consider winter tyres – If you live in an area prone to severe weather, switching to winter car tyres can improve safety and performance

Winter car maintenance doesn’t have to be extensive or onerous. A few simple checks regularly can see you through the colder months without any major issues causing disruption.

Get in contact with the team at EvolveArc today! 

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