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Lancashire Times
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Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
@ytimesmotoring
12:00 AM 31st August 2024
cars

Preparing Your Car For Autumn And Beyond

 
There’s a definite nip in the air this morning and although we are enjoying a late and much needed burst of sunshine, my thoughts turn to getting my ageing fleet of cars ready for colder weather. And for me, tyres are the best place to start.

Tyres

The law says that for cars and goods vehicles up to 3,500kg, tyres must have a tread of at least 1.6mm throughout a continuous band in the central three quarters of the tread and around the circumference of the tyre.

This is the minimum requirement and would suggest changing tyres much earlier than this. Four small contact patches of rubber are all that stands between you and disaster so best be prepared. All garages will be able to check the depth for you.

It is also a good time to inspect the tyres for any cracks or debris lodged in the tread.

If you are going to change your tyres, you may want to consider some all-season tyres such as Michelin CrossClimates or Continental AllSeasonContact. These offer increased grip on snowy and wet winter roads yet will still perform well in the summer.

I’ve been running a set of Bridgestone Weather Control A005s on our family car and these too work very well in all conditions. The fronts are looking a little low after 17,000 miles and will be replaced shortly.

For those who live remotely and need to travel regularly on untreated roads, a set of winter tyres might be the answer. They are designed to do their best work when temperatures drop below 7 degrees centigrade. The higher silica content makes them more pliable at lower temperatures, thus giving greater grip.

The downside is having to swap tyres in warmer weather, so some buy a cheap set of second-hand wheels to ease the process.

Wiper Blades

There is nothing worse than a smeary windscreen. If the rubber blade feels very soft and pliable, it is probably time to change them. Relatively inexpensive, new wiper blades will make a great difference. Do not forget the rear wiper, if fitted.

Washer Fluid

In order to stop the windscreen washer from freezing, and ensuring you can see clearly at all times, you should increase the amount of additive in the mix. Available at all petrol stations, follow the instructions and top up regularly.

Oil Level

Checking your oil level should be part of your weekly routine. Many cars use no oil between services but run low on oil at your peril. When topping up be careful not to overfill as this can cause damage to the engine. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions in the car’s handbook.

Coolant

The coolant level in a modern car can usually be checked by looking in the opaque reservoir. Any sudden drop in level should be investigated. If you need to top up, make sure you use the correct antifreeze mix. If in doubt, ask your garage for help.

Battery

Car batteries have a hard life in colder weather. A cold engine requires more power to start and in general running, more equipment is likely to be used such as lights, heater etc. Most winter breakdowns are the result of a flat battery, so if your car is struggling to start when the temperature drops, a new battery may be the answer.

A set of jump leads in the boot is also a good idea but do be careful how you use them. If in doubt, call a professional.

Breakdown Cover

Taking out breakdown cover is highly recommended. Basic cover is designed to help if you are stranded away from home. You can extend this to include ‘home start’ and ‘recovery’ if your car cannot be fixed at the roadside.
You can arrange cover for a specific car, ideal if it is driven by different family members or you can have personal cover, which will come to your aid in any car you are driving or are indeed a passenger in.

Servicing

Most cars require a service every year, even if it is little more than an oil change. Having a professional look over your car is always helpful, though beware the garage that recommends unnecessary work. And it is not just back street garages that do this. Main dealers are guilty of this sharp practice as I have recently witnessed myself.

Insurance

I know many readers are finding a sharp rise in insurance premiums and this looks likely to continue. Check when your policy is due for renewal and start shopping around for competitive quotes a few weeks before you need to renew. Leave it to the last minute and the computer modelling will invariably lead to a higher premium.
Use one or all of the comparison websites, though be aware that companies such as Direct Line are not on them.

Check how many miles you cover a year. Less miles should equate to a lower premium, but do not fib. How much is your car now worth? Get a free valuation online and adjust the value accordingly on your proposal form.
Adding an older driver to the policy can reduce premiums in some cases, so perhaps adding mum or dad might help.

Do you still need business use or cover for commuting? If neither are required, make sure they are not included in your quotation.

Younger drivers can benefit from having a black box fitted to their car which monitors their driving. There are savings to be made, but everyone who drives the car needs to drive well.