Winter Weather Car Care

As car lovers, we want to ensure that our cars remain in good, useable condition all year round, regardless of whether we drive them. So, in keeping with the Boy Scout motto of 'Be Prepared' here are some useful tips to help you handle winter weather car care.

For cars kept on a driveway, it makes sense to keep them covered when not in use. This will protect it from the elements, including tree sap and the dreaded bird droppings. A few words of warning, though; don’t put a cover on a damp car as it will trap in the moisture encouraging rust to form, and make sure it’s clean otherwise you risk scratching the paint when the cover rubs against it. 

The best covers are waterproof and breathable, keeping water out while allowing some of the moisture to escape back into the atmosphere. Ideally, you source a cover that is designed for your vehicle, so not only is it the right size, with strategically placed securing straps but there’s no chaffing to the paintwork when the wind whips up. 

Car covers are an equally useful addition inside a garage too, to keep dust and debris (and creatures) off the vehicle, and help to balance the inside/outside air temperature.

Check out our range of breathable car covers here.

For those driving a classic water-cooled VW, Porsche or Land Rover this winter, it’s important to have the correct concentration of anti-freeze in your cooling system.

Despite the name, Antifreeze doesn't just prevent your coolant from freezing (risking damage to the engine, pipes, radiators and expansion tanks) it also helps to minimise internal corrosion, something you'll see benefit from all year round, and transfers heat from moving parts to reduce operating temperatures.

Whether you purchase concentrated antifreeze and mix it yourself (roughly 50/50 ratio) or ready-made coolant, be wary of mixing colours and fluid types to avoid any unwanted chemical reactions. Always check the bottle before you pour!

You can buy a hydrometer to test the concentration of antifreeze, should you wish to go that far - or ask a local garage to test it for you. Either way, the coolant should be changed every few years to keep things performing as they should. If in doubt, drain out the old coolant, mix up a fresh brew, and then pour it in. It is recommended to use distilled water when making up the right concentration, as this will prevent a build-up of minerals from the tap and household pipes, inside your coolant system. 

Useful all year round, these are loved by many and it is simple to see why. 

In the summer they circulate air inside, without the associated wind noise of having a window down. In the winter, this fresh air helps tackle condensation whilst not freezing you to death. Check out our blog on why car windows steam up here

Not all wind deflectors are designed the same. Some will require sticky pads to be attached to paintwork, or worse still, holes to be drilled! The SSP version we offer pushes into the large felt guide window seal (held in place with small clips) and can be removed in the future, without damage, if required. 

Find our range of wind deflectors online here. 

Ever heard someone say it’s pointless washing a car in winter because it will only get dirty again?

This couldn’t be further from the truth as keeping a car clean and polished will help preserve its appearance for years to come. 

Months of debris and dirt left on your bodywork could leave long-term damage if not washed off, plus removing road salt and grime from underneath will reduce the chances of corrosion setting in. And we all know a clean car goes faster, right?!!  

Regardless of the season, your alloy wheels take quite a hammering from brake dust, potholes and the occasional curb. However, during winter, road salt adds to the danger; eating into the alloy, getting under any imperfections in the lacquer, and causing damage to the finish. 

That’s why you should keep them clean and don't let brake dust settle for too long, especially on non-painted wheels. Apply a layer of wax or ceramic sealant when you are done with the soap suds to help make future cleaning sessions a more pleasurable task. 

Take the time to inspect your tyres too. They keep you 'stuck to the road' - so any damage, punctures or partial tread loss should be dealt with before it becomes a larger problem. 

It’s all too easy during the summer months to put off changing your wiper blades until MOT time, but when it’s dark and rainy, giving your windscreen a clean swipe is essential to maintain safe visibility.

Not all windscreen wipers are the same. It’s important to get the right type (and length) for your particular vehicle, and it might just pay to spend a little extra on the best quality products to benefit from longevity.

Don't forget to top up your screen wash or unblock your washer jets with a pin, otherwise, you'll be smearing dry dirt about, scratching the windscreen and prematurely wearing the new wiper blades out.

Another weapon in your armoury to keep the worst of the weather out during winter is your rubber seals. That’s why now is the time to inspect your car for perished or missing rubber and fit the necessary replacement. Shop window seal kits here. 

We've covered how to replace a VW Beetle windscreen seal in a previous blog, but, don't worry if you drive something different the theory remains the same for all. 

Hopefully this has given you a few ideas for making your winter motoring slightly more bearable, and keeping your car in the best shape ready for spring time and the return of show season.

Andy