Top Tips for your car's winter survival kit

It’s that time of the year again! Winter. The time where we’re pulling on thick woolly jumpers and wrapping ourselves with scarves, hats and gloves.

But, have you spared a thought or two for what this time of the year means for your beloved car?

We’re all aware that Winter, generally is the season for long queues at traffic lights, delayed journeys, and darker days. And with a while yet before the clocks go forward to welcome the lighter evenings, it’s good to have a think about the tools you’ll need for an easy life this year.

Here are the United Garage Services’ top tips for Winter:

In winter, it’s a good idea, to keep some essentials in your car – try and keep them neatly in a bag or a box so that they do not create unwanted clutter in your car.

• De-icer spray and scraper
• A warm blanket
• Torch and batteries
• Non-perishable and high-energy food – such as cereal bars, crisps, chocolate and juice
• Water bottle
• Screen wash
• Properly inflated spare tyre
• Bag of salt for gritting purposes
• Heavy duty gloves
• Fully charged portable phone charger
• Wooden matches in a waterproof container
• Warning triangle
• First aid kit
• Personal medication

When the snow arrives thick and fast, make sure you get your vehicle checked out by your nearest garage on unitedgarageservices:

• Check your tyres: ensure you have adequate tread on your wheels.
• Winter wiper blades will improve your visibility on the roads.
• Add anti-freeze to your car’s coolant system.
• Ensure your screenwash is topped up regularly.
• Try to keep your fuel tank half full to avoid the moisture level in the tank from freezing because the fuel should absorb any moisture, avoiding any rusting.

What to do if you get stranded in winter on a particularly snowy day?

• First thing is first – Do NOT panic. You must ensure you keep level headed and take the situation in to your control.
• Ring emergency services, or your roadside rescue service. Tell them where you are exactly, using the road sign posts as indicators.
• If you have no battery or charge left in your phone, place your warning triangle about 10 meters away from your car and switch on the hazard lights.
• If you’re on the motorway, then walk within the hard shoulder line to find the emergency telephone, walking in the opposite way of traffic and far away as possible from the traffic.
• Do not leave your vehicle if you are not familiar with your surroundings or know roughly where to sought help.
• If you’re certain that your engine is fine, and that this has no blockage, then run this to heat up your car for 15 minutes every hour. (Providing you have fuel)
• Stay warm with your blanket until someone comes to help you.

Do you want to get your car booked in for a winter check-up? You can book your car in by searching for your nearest United Garage here.