Get car winter-ready says RMIF

Motorists must make sure that their car is able to withstand the ongoing extreme winter weather conditions warns the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF), the trade association for car dealers and garages that represents 8,000 businesses in the UK.

‘There is a great deal of preventative action that you can undertake yourself to prevent the worst from happening,’ according to Sue Robinson, RMIF Director.

To make your car winter ready:

make sure anti-freeze is less than two years old
make sure battery is in good condition, with no terminal corrosion
headlamps should be correctly aligned
check windscreen wipers for wear and replace them if necessary
check that the screen wash is not clogged and that the bottle is topped up for use, and make sure that an additive is used to stop it freezing
make sure that all heaters and ventilation systems are working so that misting is minimised

Before setting off on any journey:

set the heater to demist windows on the inside, and use a de-icer on windows, or a scraper – NEVER hot water, and remember to clean frost from all windows, not just the windscreen
give all external lights and mirrors a thorough clean

Tyres
It is also vital that tyres are legal and safe. By law, tyre tread depth should be at least 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tread and around the entire circumference, and there should be no cuts or cracks

Essential kit
You should make sure your car is carrying emergency equipment so that, if the worst happens, you are ready. Essential kit includes a ‘hands free’ mobile phone with a fully charged battery, phone card, and cash, as well as gloves, blankets , a warm jacket, and robust shoes in case of breakdown. Remember, the best attire for cold weather is lots of layers.

Extra support
Careful preparation by the motorist can only go so far. To make sure your car is ready for the road in the first place, contact your local RMIF member garage and book your car in for a seasonal service.

Sue Robinson commented: ‘There are many elements within a car that will need the kind of professional attention that only a garage can provide. A service performed by an RMIF member garage should help make a car ready for the current unfriendly winter weather conditions.’

Visit rmif.co.uk to find your nearest RMIF member garage.