Ready For Winter?

[parapaul]

Well, it's getting on for that time of year again, just a reminder to everyone to make sure your car's ready.

1. Lights

Make sure they're all working and the headlights are aligned. And please remember, FOG LIGHTS ARE FOR SEVERELY REDUCED VISIBILITY ONLY. They won't help you see any further in drizzle, rain, snow, etc. You don't look cool driving around with the front ones on when it's not foggy. And if someone's behind you, for pete's sake turn the back ones off!

2. Wipers

Have a look at them. Make sure you wipe them when you clean the car, if not more often. If for some reason you haven't changed them since last winter, do it now. £23 for a set of Vx flatblades offset against crashing because you can't see for all the road grime?

3. Washer fluid

Top it up, and make sure it's at the right concentration for winter. It's no use frozen into a solid lump in the reservoir

4. Antifreeze and Oil

Check them, top up if needed.

5. Battery

Check it, or get it checked. Especially if your car's over 3 years old. Winter's hard on your poor old battery, and the Vx ones have a habit of giving up just as the warranty period expires...

6. Windscreen

If you have any chips, get them repaired, before the freezing weather turns them into full blown cracks. If you have fully comp insurance, it's usually free to have chips repaired. What's your excuse?

7. Tyres

Check the tread. Including the spare. All your enthusiastic driving over the summer may cause a nasty accident on a greasy, wet road. Legal limit's 1.6mm over 3/4 of the width of the tread.

If you don't want to get your hands dirty, they're plenty of places like Kwik-Fit etc who will be offering free winter checks.

Check your boot

Chuck a blanket in. What have you got to lose? If you live in the sticks, consider carrying a shovel, wellies, waterproof clothes. An old set of rubber floormats can double up as waterproof carpet protectors and could also give you a bit of traction if you get stuck in the snow.

Oh, and one more thing - if you find yourself in the unfortunate position of having to phone 999 for the emergency services, unless you know EXACTLY where you are, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE find a payphone or landline to call from. There's nothing more frustrating for us (and you) than spending minutes of what might be valuable time trying to work out where the hell you are. If you call from a landline, the operator can give us your exact address or location.

[ditchp]

did it all last week after santapod meet, just not sure weather to get 4 new tyres on now or later as they are not the best in the wet, or get some cheep alloy's for winter...............

oh decisions decisions,

good of you for the head's up mate, a very comprehensive list indeed

[shan]

Good thinking Paul.
I'll sort this all out when I'm home.
I'm after a windscreen cover to help keep the frost off any recommendations guys. This will help the wife out loads when she's rushing around in the morning to get the daughter to nursery.

[MAF 3.2 V6 GSi]

Good write up , i need new wiper blades .

[spoons]

Very good Paul.

I'm gonna put my winter kit back in the boot, once I've got Santa Pod out of the way this Sunday !!

[RSV_Ecosse]

Good tips.

Paul, appreciate your comment on the landlines when calling 999, but can your control not pinpoint mobiles also?.

I'm 99.9% sure ours can.

[Ste]

Good advice ^^^^^

[Ian T]

Good advice Paul

[CPHB]

Hi

I´ve done this last saturday

My "point 7" reads:

Change tyres to studded wintertyres 205/55 - 16

[Ste]

Svenska?