Winter is here and temperatures have dropped across South Africa.
Most people tend to forget about their cars while ensuring that they’re protected from the cold, don’t be one of them. As part of the family, these valuable assets also need some care against the elements at this time of year.
To get your vehicle in winter-ready shape, we’ve put together a number of car maintenance-tips to keep you safe and moving on the roads, so that you’re not left stranded during the colder months.
While checking and ensuring that oil and fluids are kept at appropriate levels on your regular stops at the gas station, be sure to consider the following checks on your next car maintenance visit:
Electrical System
Ignition – Check for damaged ignition wires and cracks in the distributor cap.
Lights – Check all lights (headlights, side lights, emergency flashers, directional lights, taillights, brake lights and parking lights) for proper functioning.
As the days get shorter, and the nights get longer, many motorists on their work commute drive in darkness. You need to ensure that your car’s headlights are working properly and that you always switch the headlights off when you reach your destination. If you can, park your vehicle facing a wall – the reflection of the lights will act as a reminder to switch them off.
Batteries – Car batteries tend to give more problems during winter because of the increased amps are drawn by the starter to crank a cold engine. The last thing you want on a frosty winter’s day is to be stuck with a flat battery!
Here are a few winter checks to ensure your car battery is in good working condition.
- Check the water (electrolyte) level to make sure it’s not too low (it must cover the fluid plates). If necessary, top it up with distilled water. Avoid overfilling and clean any spillage.
- Keep your car battery clean by wiping the terminals with warm (not hot) soapy water and remove any acid or dirt build-up, which could cause the battery to self-discharge quicker.
Secure your car battery properly to make sure it doesn’t shift out of place under the bonnet. - Charge your car battery regularly. If you typically only drive short distances or use your car infrequently, you may need to take a longer (one hour) drive every week to ensure the battery stays charged and maintain its lifespan.
- Switch off before you switch on. Make sure that you switch all other devices in your vehicle off when parking for the night. This includes the air-conditioner, radio, lights, seat warmers, windscreen wipers, and demisters. In cold weather, a fully-charged car battery provides less than half the power than in warm weather and you don’t need to lose unnecessary power.
- Alternator belts. Check the belts for fraying or cracking. A loose alternator belt is a common cause of battery failure.
- Service your car. Keeping your car’s service history up to date will help to extend the battery’s life.
TIP: If you struggle to start your vehicle, do not crank the engine continuously as this may damage the starter, car battery, and other electronic components.
DID YOU KNOW? The average car battery lasts between 2 and 5 years when kept in good condition. Keep a record of your battery’s age, and replace when it nears its older years.
Brakes
- Check and adjust breaks to ensure equal braking.
Your car’s brake pads also require regular inspection. While driving, listen for any brake noise and pay attention to shuddering or vibrating from the brake pedal. If any concerns arise, consult a service center as soon as possible
Tyres
It is always a good idea to maintain your vehicle’s tyres, not only because the law requires it and you may face stiff penalties if you are stopped and your tyres are found to be un-roadworthy, but also to keep you and your passengers safe on the road.
Always ensure your tires are in a good condition, and not worn down. Worn tires are extremely dangerous in all conditions.
- Check that your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure according to the manufacturer’s guidelines, as this will ensure optimal road holding and tyre life.
- Check the wear of the tyres. The law says your tyres must have at least a one-millimetre tread. Some tyres have tread wear indicators in the tread pattern to show when the tread depth is less than 1.6 millimetres. In these cases, if the tread is level with the indicators, the tyre must be replaced as it is considered un-roadworthy.
- Check tyre balance and correct if necessary.
- Check wheel alignment and correct if necessary.
Your insurance policy may also require that your car is roadworthy before you drive it, and worn tyres may void that condition.
Windscreens and wipers
- Ensure that windshield wipers function efficiently. Replace them if they are old or worn, and avoid cleaning mud and soil from the windscreen with the wipers as these can scratch the glass
- Fill the washer container with an antifreeze fluid and top it up frequently. Avoid using the windscreen sprayers when driving in very cold conditions as the water from the reservoir will freeze onto the windscreen, and the wipers will not be able to clear the ice.
If your car is parked outside overnight, you may have a layer of frost on the windscreen when it gets really cold. Don’t use warm water to clean this layer, as your windscreen may crack. Instead, use a scraper (an old credit card will do the trick) to remove the ice. Using the air-conditioner to demist the interior of the car will also help. Make sure it is clear before you drive.
Tips on how to stop your windscreen from freezing:
- Park your car undercover at night to ensure your windscreen remains clear the next morning.
- Rub a raw onion half on your windows and windshield the night before a big freeze. This strange car trick will keep frost from forming on the glass.
- You can also spray it with vinegar or alcohol mixed with water to avoid frost. Try a 1:2 ratio of water to alcohol.
- Cover your windshield with rubber bath mats or a folded sheet – don’t forget the carrier bag to put it in once you remove it. Use your windscreen wipers to keep it in place.
- If it’s the blades freezing rub them with alcohol – it keeps them from sticking to the window.
- You can also use night-before de-icer to make your life easier.
- Bonus tip: Cover your side mirrors with carrier bags the night before and secure them with rubber bands to stop them from freezing.
Ensuring that the above is followed properly, you and your car will pass through this winter with no worry. Call your Roadside Assist company if you find yourself stuck.
You can print and use this as your checklist on your next car maintenance visit.