How To – Avoid Winter Woes

Difficulty

What Do I Need?

Just a few basic tools to beat those Winter woes

Why Should I?

In the now immortal words of Ned Stark from the television adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s epic fantasy yarn Game of Thrones: Winter is coming. And whilst Sean Bean who portrays the lord of Winterfell may have come a cropper (as he does in most of his roles bless him), you and your classic don’t have to suffer the same fate when the weather turns grim. By following a few simple steps you can ensure that your winter driving experience is safe, comfortable and enjoyable, because let’s face it, driving cars should be fun come rain or shine. Or snow.

Talk Me Through It

1) Battery

As part of those aforementioned winter woes, cold weather puts additional strain on your classic’s battery, especially if it’s a getting a little tired. Make sure yours is topped up and consider a fresh replacement if it’s a bit down at heel. Trickle chargers are a great investment if your classic doesn’t get used regularly and will keep your battery at optimum efficiency. Signs of a weakened battery include slow cranking, with your engine taking longer to turn over than usual. If your classic is fitted with a voltage gauge then this will tell you how much power your battery is chucking out, allowing you to correctly assess its condition. A visual inspection will also let you know if there are any leaking or swelling issues.

2) Tyres

From choosing the correct rubber and balancing your wheels to checking tread depth and tyre condition we’ve covered all of this before at length so have a read of our how to article on tyre tread depth as well as our Let’s Talk Tyres feature. All of the information you need to ensure that your tyres are in top condition is contained therein, so go and brush up.

3) Cooling System

Temperatures in the UK in Winter often get below freezing meaning that if you don’t have the correct level of anti-freeze in your car’s cooling system then guess what? Yep, the clue’s in the name. The water contained therein will freeze, royally putting a damper on your day, but it isn’t simply a case of letting it thaw. The liquid will expand when it freezes, seizing the cooling system and potentially cracks in the system lines, radiator and even engine block so make sure you have the correct type and amount of anti-freeze in your classic’s engine.

4) Lights

From fog and mist to sleet, hail and snow, Winter chucks a lot of hazardous conditions at us motorists so it’s imperative that through it all we can see and just as importantly, be seen. Check that all of your bulbs are working in all of your lights (front and rear) and replace as necessary. It’s always worth carrying a selection of spares in the car, too. Not all lights were created equal and whilst new cars are able to see into the future whilst simultaneously burning our retinas with their neon blue lasers, classic headlights are a little less intense so make sure to keep all of your lights clean and free from damage.

5) Windscreen Wipers and Heating

Having working lights is one thing but what good is illumination if you’re unable to actually see out of the windscreen? Check that your wipers and washers are working properly and that you have a decent supply of washer fluid in the reservoir. Check the wiper blades too. They can be effectively cleaned easily but if they are beginning to perish or are damaged then replace them. This goes for any rear wipers as well. It’s vitally important that your heating system is working so that any fogging on the inside of the windows can be effectively cleared using the car’s fans so ensure that everything is tickety boo. It’ll keep you nice and toasty too.

Conclusion

Breaking down at the best of times is a bummer but conking out in the middle of winter when it’s cold, invariably wet, probably dark and just a bit rubbish is no fun whatsoever. Following the simple steps in this handy checklist will help you and your classic survive the worst the UK climate can throw at you and sidestep any potential winter woes. You could even make the experience a little more comfortable by grabbing some workshop warmers while you’re at it. So what are you waiting for? Get to work.