Why Winter Car Prep Matters!

Winter driving in the UK brings its own set of challenges:

• Shorter days mean more time driving in the dark.
• Icy roads and frost can make braking distances longer.
• Poor visibility from rain, snow, or mist can make hazards harder to spot.
• Cold starts put extra strain on your battery and engine.

Meeting MOT standards is a legal requirement, but for winter driving safety, it’s wise to go above and beyond. Whether you’re preparing your car for a Winter trip, your daily commute or an Autumn road trip, a thorough check before you travel can save you from breakdowns, delays, and costly repairs.

Winter Road Trip Checklist

1. Check Your Car Battery

Cold weather can zap the strength from older batteries. Signs of trouble include slow engine turnover or dim interior lights. If your battery is more than three years old, consider replacing it before a big trip. Carrying a spare can also be a lifesaver. 🔗 Shop Car Batteries

2. Inspect Your Lights & Bulbs

With darker evenings and foggy mornings, fully functioning lights are essential. Check headlights, brake lights, indicators, and fog lamps. Replace any blown or dim bulbs before you travel. 🔗Browse Bulbs

3. Wiper Blades & Screen Wash

Clear vision is critical in wet, icy, or snowy conditions. Replace streaky or split wiper blades and top up your screen wash with a winter-ready antifreeze mix to prevent freezing. 🔗 Find Wiper Blades

4. Antifreeze & Fluids

Antifreeze protects your engine from freezing and corrosion. Check your coolant level and top up if needed. Also, check oil and brake fluid levels to ensure your car runs smoothly. 🔗 Shop Antifreeze & Coolants

5. Tyres & Pressure

The legal tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm, but in winter, more tread means better grip. Consider switching to winter tyres for long journeys. Check tyre pressure and inspect for cuts or bulges. You can do this by purchasing a Tyre Tread Depth Gauge or by heading to How To Check Your Tyre Tread Depth

6. Emergency Kit Essentials

Pack a winter-ready kit including:

• Torch (with spare batteries)
• Warm blanket
• Jump leads
• Ice scraper & de-icer
• First aid kit

This means that if the worst does happen, you won’t be left cold and unprepared. Having these essentials in your car can make all the difference if you end up stranded due to breakdowns, severe weather, or road closures.

Common Winter Road Trip Mistakes to Avoid

• Setting off without checking battery health
• Ignoring low screen wash or antifreeze levels
• Driving with worn wipers or faulty bulbs
• Overloading the car and skipping tyre checks

Final Checks Before You Set Off

Before you hit the road, run through this quick reminder list:

✅ Bulbs working

✅ Battery charged

✅ Wipers in good condition

✅ Antifreeze topped up

✅ Tyres safe and inflated

✅ Emergency kit packed