Are You Actually Prepared For Winter?
In the winter months, people are more likely to pick up colds, the flu and other ailments due to a drop in body temperature when you are exposed to cold air. This drop in body temperature is linked to the how effective the body’s immune system is at fighting off illness.
The human body is not the only thing that is affected by the colder weather, as you find cars also struggle to cope with the winter months too. There are a number of ways that the cold weather can damage your car and result in breakdowns or fail to start.
There are some actions that you can take to lessen the likelihood of a breakdown and some ways you can make sure that you are prepared for the event. Here are some tips:
Keep topped up!
Always keep an eye on how much fuel you have left. This is one of the top causes for breakdowns and can easily be prevented by pre-planning. Don’t travel anywhere if you are low on fuel.
You also need to check your oil levels, as this is another big influence of breakdowns. Checking oil only takes a second or two and could save you some major inconvenience. The last thing you want is to be stood on a motorway embankment in the cold weather because you hadn’t checked your oil levels recently. If you’re not sure how to do this, there are lots of videos on YouTube that you can view or if you’re really not comfortable underneath a car bonnet then ask someone else to check for you. You can get a winter check done by most garages.
Windshield washer fluid is another thing that is relatively easy to top up when you know how. Running out of windshield washer fluid could leave you in a bad situation and it is dangerous to carry on your journey if you’re unable to remove dirt as you’re driving.
Store emergency items in the car!
If you are unfortunate enough to break down then you can be prepared by making sure you store emergency items in the car. Make sure you have a blanket, warm clothes, water and other essentials in your car. A high-vis jacket is recommended for safety in case you have to leave your vehicle. Winter survival kits are also a very good idea.
Make sure your Mobile Phone is charged!
When going on a long journey, always make sure that you have enough battery left on your phone. Also, make sure that you have the number of your breakdown recovery stored in your phone, just in case. Always plan your journey, so that you know where you are going, as getting lost can often lead to running out of fuel if you can’t find a fuel station. You can use apps like Google Maps to help you to find the nearest fuel station if you think you are going to run out.
Check your tires!
Always check your tire pressure on a regular basis. A flat tire can leave you stranded if you don’t carry a pump in your car. You can pick up a foot pump for a reasonable price, so it is recommended that you keep one in your trunk.