Winter driving: how to prepare your car
Batteries, tires, coolant, visibility and an emergency kit — everything to sort before the cold arrives.
Battery — the winter weak point
Cold cuts battery output by up to 40%. If the battery is more than four years old or cranks slowly on a cold morning, have it load-tested before winter bites.
Tires and pressure
- Fit winter tires if temperatures regularly fall below 7 °C
- Check pressure cold — it drops about 0.1 bar per 10 °C
- Check tread depth — below 3 mm, grip falls sharply on snow
Coolant, washers and visibility
- Confirm the coolant mixture protects to at least -35 °C (a 50/50 mix)
- Use winter screen wash with anti-freeze
- Check wiper blades and heater/demister
- Clear ALL snow and ice before driving — including the roof
Emergency kit
- Ice scraper and de-icer
- Torch, gloves, blanket
- Jump leads or a booster pack
- Phone charger and water
- Triangle and hi-vis vest
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