Read IT Garage Services Top Tips for Cold Weather Car Maintenance and get your vehicle ready for winter driving in Scotland.
Summer is gone and with it those balmy summer days driving in the glorious Highlands. Now we can look forward to the leaves changing and the Highland weather to throw the kitchen sink at us when we’re out and about enjoying Inverness and beyond.
But is your car winter ready? Have you made the necessary checks to make sure you don’t break down or come a cropper when you’re driving in the Highlands?
We’ve brought together our top 5 tips on making sure your vehicle will withstand that dreaded Scottish cold weather!
1. Fuel
It goes without saying that you should be checking your fuel level before you go on any journey. But in winter, it is even more important that you have enough fuel to complete your journey. The last thing you need is to run out of fuel with temperatures in Scotland reaching below 0 °C during winter.
2. Oil
Low oil can cause your car to give up and break down at the most inopportune moment. Don’t get caught out and make sure you complete this cold weather car maintenance regularly.
To make sure you have enough oil, check that your car’s oil level is between the minimum and maximum mark as often as possible and top-up when required.
3. Cold Weather Car Maintenance – Tyres
Tyre maintenance is so important not only for safety in the winter months but also for your car’s fuel economy (read our clog on fuel efficiency tips here).
Regularly check your tyres for cracks, or any tears or bulges. Also, check the depth of your tread.
The minimum tread level of a tyre is 1.6mm, but during the winter months, it’s safer to have 3mm of tread on your tyres to help with traction and grip on those slippy Highland roads.
You should also check your tyre pressure too. Under-inflated tyres can cost you more money on fuel. As much as a -2.5% on your miles per gallon (mpg) rate! Not only that, flat tyres will have a detrimental effect on your car’s handling of the road. So make sure to check those tyre pressures regularly!
If you don’t know the right pressure for your vehicle (it’ll vary because of the weight of the car etc), you can find it in your manual, or it is normally printed on the sill of the driver’s door of your vehicle. If in doubt, you can always google your make and model and the internet will provide the answer!
4. Lights
Your lights are vital when travelling in the winter. It can get dark around 5 pm in the depths of the Scottish winter, so travelling in winter can mean travelling in the dark.
Your lights are not only there so you can see where you’re going, but they also alert other drivers to your presence.
Before you set off, walk around your car with all your lights on and check they are all functioning and that they are free from dirt and grime.
5. Cold Weather Car Maintenance – Screenwash and Windscreen Wipers
Check your screen wash level and top up with a quality screenwash additive or pre-mix which is effective down to at least -15 degrees Celsius.
There’s lots more dirt and debris on the roads during the winter, so make sure you can keep your windscreen clean. Top up on screen wash and make sure that your window wipers are in tip-top shape. The snow and the rain can play all sorts of havoc with visibility in winter, so give yourself the best chance of completing your winter journey no matter what the cold Scottish weather through at you!
Where Can I Find Local Inverness Garage Service?
IT Garage Services is your one-stop-shop for car repair in Inverness providing services like:
- Car servicing Inverness.
- MOTs Inverness.
- Brake tests and repair.
- Fast fit services Inverness.
- Diagnostics and repair.
and many more local garage services that’ll keep your used car in tip-top condition.
Where to find the best garage near me?
You can find the best garage in Inverness – IT Garage Services at
35H Harbour Rd Inverness IV1 1UA
Contact us now to book an appointment or for any enquiries:
01463 229922
info@it-garage.beststaghen.com
Monday -Friday: 8 am to 6 pm
Saturday: 8 am to 1 pm
