Winter brings with it the opportunity to make money. People are less willing to travel on public transport during such times, after all.
But winter also brings with it a host of drawbacks – in particular, the cold weather can have a damaging impact on your vehicle if you’re not prepared. As a pco car hire driver, its vital to know how to prevent your vehicle from breaking down, or you risk losing money in both repairs and a lack of mobility.
With that in mind, these top tips should help you deal with the remainder of the winter season.
Oil Duty
Low oil levels can lead to a breakdown or major engine damage if left unresolved. Use your dipstick (for older cars) or electric oil monitor to check that your oil is between the minimum and maximum levels.
If you’re unsure about which type of oil you need, refer to your manual or dealer accordingly.
Tank Full of Tactics
Having a full tank on the journey isn’t as common as one would expect.
People tend to plan for the top up on route to somewhere, but this can backfire and leave you stranded.
Tyre Trouble
Your tyres will need to have a decent tread depth for grip; 3mm of tread should be enough to deal with traction and grip. It would also be ideal that they do not have any cracks or splits for ultimate control and quality.
Likewise, the right level of tyre pressure will be a potential life save, so check your owner’s handbook for the correct inflation level.
Wiper Woes
Wiper blades won’t last forever, so it’s important to check them regularly for any signs of splitting or cracking. If they become ineffective at clearing the screen, replace them immediately.
Crucially, they tend to get frozen in freezing conditions; this can be resolved by using warm water to free them, or covering the windscreen with a blanket/old sheet to prevent ice and snow reaching them, so keep an eye on them during this bitter period.
Stay Cool
Not looking after your coolant levels can lead to either your engine over freezing or overheating. Make you have the correct coolants if you need to top up, especially on lengthy journeys.
Light Them Up
Your lights are not just for you to see the road, but others to see you. So the greater their visibility, the less likely an accident can occur in the long, dark nights.
For starters, keep an eye on the dirt covering your lights – more likely to occur during the winter and spring periods, the muck a grime daily driving can diminish the strength of your light visibility to others, so have a daily scout of the back and front of your car.
Screen Clean
Make sure your screen is clean and clear using quality wash additive or pre-mixes. With them being used more often in the winter due to dirtier conditions, don’t forget to top up the levels either.
And if All Else Fails
There’s only so much which falls into our hands; sooner or later your car might go bust and you’ll need all the help you can get.
Keep food in your car, in in case it takes a while for the breakdown service to arrive. Warm clothes and a torch also wouldn’t go amiss if its night and you’re stranded.
But we hope our guide was able to provide the steppingstones in you looking after your car, and getting your prepare for these cold, rainy and potentially snowy days!
