How to Prepare Your Car for Winter

Battery

Cold weather is the number one cause of battery failure, a car battery loses up to 35% of its power at 0°C. Most breakdowns in winter are battery-related.

• Get your battery tested free at most garages or motor factors (Halfords, etc.)
• Replace if it's 5 or more years old, or if it's slow to start in mild weather
• Clean any corrosion from terminals, how to clean battery terminals →

Antifreeze / Coolant

Antifreeze prevents the coolant from freezing (which can crack your engine block) and also raises the boiling point in summer. It degrades over time.

• Check the concentration with an antifreeze tester (£3–5 from any motor factor)
• Should protect to at least -20°C for UK winters; -34°C if you're in Scotland or a frost pocket
• Pre-mixed coolant is already at the right concentration, don't dilute it further with water

Tyres

Tyre grip reduces significantly in cold weather, especially below 7°C, where standard summer tyres start to harden.

• Check tread depth, the legal minimum is 1.6mm but 3mm is recommended for winter driving in the UK
• Check pressures when cold, tyres lose around 1 PSI per 10°C temperature drop
• Look for cuts, bulges, or damage from summer potholes
• Consider winter or all-season tyres if you drive in rural areas or regularly encounter snow and ice

Lights

Days are shorter and visibility is lower, working lights are essential.

• Check all bulbs (headlights, rear lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, plate lights)
• Clean light lenses, dirt and grime can reduce brightness by up to 50%

Wipers and Screen Wash

• Replace wiper blades if they leave streaks or miss patches, they deteriorate over a single summer
• Switch to a winter screen wash rated to at least -10°C (ideally -20°C for northern UK)
• Do not use plain water in winter, it will freeze in the reservoir and jets

Engine Oil

• Check your oil level and top up if low
• Fresh oil flows better in cold temperatures, if you're due a service, book it before winter

Winter Emergency Kit

Pack a kit and leave it in the boot for the season:

• Ice scraper and de-icer spray
• Jump leads or a portable jump starter
• Warning triangle and hi-visibility vest
• First aid kit
• Warm blanket and extra layers
• Torch (with charged batteries)
• Bottled water and snacks
• Phone charger / power bank
• Small shovel
• Old carpet or rubber mats (for traction if stuck in snow)

Winter Driving Tips

• Use gentle, smooth inputs on ice, sharp braking or steering will cause skids
• Leave a 10-second following distance (vs 2 seconds in dry conditions)
• Never pour hot water on a frozen windscreen, thermal shock can crack it
• Use warm air from your heater to defrost, or de-icer spray
• For frozen locks: de-icer spray into the keyhole, or use a purpose-made lock de-icer
• Let the engine warm up gently for 30 seconds before driving (don't blip the accelerator)