If your car has any developing faults, winter is the time when they’ll be exposed. Even if we have a very mild winter in Queensland, cold weather still presents some challenging driving conditions. Fortunately, there are a number of simple checks that you can do yourself to make sure your car stays safe all winter long. Read on to find out what they are!

Check your battery

Winter temperatures can cause batteries to lose some of their power, so if your battery isn’t in tip-top condition, the cold could do more damage. You might notice that your car’s lights seem dimmer or are taking longer than usual to go out after you turn off the ignition. If your battery is already getting weak, then you need to think about giving it a charge or even replacing it before the upcoming winter.

Check your antifreeze

One of the main ways your car will suffer damage in the winter is when the antifreeze (the stuff that keeps your engine from freezing) starts to freeze and crack. So make sure that you check your antifreeze levels and add more if necessary. Also, if you don’t have a coolant mixture that’s at least 50% antifreeze, make sure to purchase some before winter sets in.

Check your lights are working

Winter is the time when we’re most likely to encounter poor lighting conditions in the early morning due to fog. If your lights aren’t working properly or if they seem to be dim, check that you have the car’s bulbs replaced too.

Check your tyre tread

If you drive in the cold conditions of winter, you need to make sure that your tyres are wearable. You should be aiming for at least 2mm of tread depth on every tyre or it’s time for a replacement. Make sure to check regularly and if you notice that any tyres are getting close to their minimum depth, get in touch with us as soon as you can for a replacement!

Top up your car fluids

Just like we top up the antifreeze in our engine, your car fluids need to have the same regular maintenance. Check the levels for oil, coolant, windshield washer fluid and brake fluid. If you’re missing any of these fluids, we recommend purchasing a new bottle before winter arrives to avoid unnecessary costs in the event that you do need to top it up!

You don’t want to be stuck on the road in the cold of winter with a car that’s not in optimum condition. That’s why it’s so important to take the time now to prepare your car for the season and conduct these winter car checks!