Quick Guide to a Winter Health Check

Here at Charles Hurst we would like to give you some tips to ensure your car is safe this winter.  With the unpredictable extreme weather causing more and more problems every year, we feel motorists need to be more prepared and plan for journeys in advance.

ROSPA (The Royal Society of the Prevention of Accidents) recommends that certain safety equipment should be kept in the car at all times during the winter, the basic safety kits consists of the following,

• Towrope
• Spare Wheel
• De-icing equipment
• First Aid Kit
• Torch
• Warm blanket

Another option for preparing your car is to book it in for a safety check, to ensure any car servicing needs are completed; alternatively you should go through the following ensuring everything is ticked off, no matter what car you drive this check list should become standard before any long journey,

• Check your tyre pressure, they should be checked every two weeks.  The wrong pressure or tread can cost you £2,500 per tyre if caught by the police.
• Batteries and brakes should be checked, if these fail they can cause serious problems in bad weather.
• Checking your windscreen wipers is also very important as an unclear windscreen will be extremely hazardous.
• Lights should be cleaned constantly during the winter and the headlamp dip and alignment should be correct as not to confuse other drivers.
• It’s advised to spray the electrics under the bonnet with WD40 to stop damp from getting in.   Do this before the cold weather begins and then re spray before a long journey, also check your screen wash levels, and ensure there is an anti-freeze ingredient in the wash.
• When on the road look out for hazards in advance, leave a longer braking distance between other cars to avoid hard braking, which leads to skidding and loss of control.
• When driving over ice or snow use a high gear to keep the car moving smoothly.