Winter Car Care

The cold weather has well and truly arrived and it’s not just us humans who don’t appreciate it! Your car is affected by the dropping temperatures too! There are, however, a few tips you can follow to ensure that your vehicle makes it through the chilly season without any problems. There are 5 main items you should check:

Heating System - you’ll want to be sure your heating system is in good working order, including your de-mister. Driving to work in a freezing car won’t be a good start to the day! Aside from comfort levels of driver and passengers, it also will help the driver concentrate more when the car is warmer.

Battery - starting your car in the cold weather is especially draining on your battery. The drop in temperature will also cause a drop in power from your battery. Your Sydney City Fiat technician will check the condition of your battery and will also check that the terminals are clean and tight and the charging system is working well.

Tyres - winter is the time when your tyres will be well tested. Wet roads result in longer stopping time and distance, and tyres that are worn will increase both factors. Under- inflated tyres are also a danger. In this condition they lose their ability to disperse water from the road, increasing the risk of aquaplaning, ie - skidding! Even with new tyres, you should always slow down in wet weather and brake slowly.

Windscreen wipers - your wipers will get a lot of use in the winter months and they need to be up to the task. They should be checked, cleaned and replaced regularly.

Brakes - No matter what season we’re in, brakes should be checked regularly. In winter your brakes will be put to the test even more. If your brakes squeak or screech you may need to replace the brake pads, or they may need to be cleaned. Stopping times may increase up to 30m in wet weather so even if your brakes are well serviced, slow down in wet weather!

Cars are affected by the cold as much as we are. So get into your dealership today to ensure your car is ready to brave the cold and last through the winter!
It’s also important to remember that in wet weather, especially if it hasn’t rained for a while, road conditions are extremely different. You need to concentrate more than usual when driving in the winter months!
So, adjust your attitude to driving and have a think about whether your car will survive the cold weather and what you can do to help it.

Call into Sydney City Fiat today and give your car a winter boost!

Sydney City Fiat