Looking after your car is an all year round responsibility but there are a few changes you’ll want to make depending on the season. We’ve got the best tips and tricks in this handy article.

Five Winter Car Tips

With the cold weather starting we’ve rounded up our best tips for looking after your Mercedes this winter.

1. Check Your Tyres

Checking your tyres is something you should do regularly throughout the year but it can be especially important in the winter when wet and cold weather can reduce your grip on the road.

There are three main areas you want to check but the most important for grip is the tyre tread depth. This should be at least 1.6mm deep across the central three-quarters of the tyre around its full circumference as a legal requirement.

A good tyre tread gives you better traction which is key when the road gets wet or icy which is why it’s particularly important that check your tyres and get new ones if needed.

You also want to check your general tyre condition to make sure there is no damage to them, such as cuts or bulges that need repairing or replacing.

The third check you’ll want to do is to check the tyre pressure to make sure they are correctly inflated. Having the correct pressure will help keep your vehicle safer, reduce excess wear and improve your fuel economy.

2. Top Up Your Coolant

In an internal combustion engine, such as in petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles, the process of burning the fuel creates heat. Engine coolant cools your engine and prevents it from overheating and becoming damaged.

Checking the level should be quick and simple visual look as the container is transparent and there will be minimum and maximum lines on the side of it. You’ll want to make sure you are parked on flat level ground in order to get an accurate reading and you’ll want to make sure that you are checking the level when the engine is cool.

The coolant system is highly pressurised, and so not only won’t you get an accurate reaction when it’s warm but if you open the cap to top it up when it’s warm you could get seriously hurt or burnt.

If you do need to top the coolant up, then you’ll want to check what coolant is right for your vehicle as there are different types for different engine systems.

3. Top Up Your Washer Fluid

Keeping your screen clean is important to make sure you have the best visibility possible as not only will the dirt block your vision of the road ahead but can also cause the light to refract from them causing a further hazard.

We know that some drivers like to use water for cleaning their screen but it’s important that you use screen wash in the winter as this contains chemicals that won’t freeze and cause the pipes to burst as just water will.

4. Look After Your Battery

Car batteries work better in warmer weather as they can conduct the electricity better, which is why it’s usually in the winter that your car will be slow to start or get a flat battery. In order to avoid this we recommend running the car regularly to make sure the battery has a chance to charge while in use. Driving about 30 minutes twice a week should help keep it charged.

One thing to bear in mind is that car batteries are not designed to be immortal, they will all have a lifetime which for most is between three and five years. So, if your battery is starting to deteriorate and regularly requires jumping or charging then it might be time to get a new one.

5. Keep it Clean

An important part of looking after your car is keeping it clean, not only does this help it look its best but it also helps keep it in the best possible condition.

Not only does cleaning your car help prevent damage but it can also help you spot any as you’re regularly looking at and touching your vehicle so you’ll be better informed on its condition and notice any changes.

Cleaning the inside is also important as it helps you stop having loose objects that could cause injury or damage if you brake suddenly, give you a nicer driving environment and prevent any smudges or dirt on the glasswork reflecting the light in an odd way and impairing your vision. Additionally, if you have food or wrappers in the vehicle these may attract critters.

Driving in the Winter                

During the English winter, we get a lot of wet weather as well as periods of snow and ice and you’ll need to adjust your driving slightly to accommodate the weather.

Driving in the Rain

In wet weather, you should travel a little slower as water on the road can cause you to lose traction and even aquaplane. You should also leave more room between you and the car ahead in order to give you extra reaction time and accommodate the slower braking time.

You should also use your headlights in order to make you more visible to other vehicles and improve your visibility as it will also usually be overcast.

If it’s safe to do so you might also want to avoid driving through larger puddles that can form on the edges of the road, and if you do need to drive through them you should reduce your speed before you approach and move through the water at a low speed.

Driving in Snow and Ice

As well as providing more room and travelling at slower speeds there are a few other adjustments you’ll need to make when driving in snowy or icy conditions.

The first thing you’ll need to do is make sure that you clear any snow or ice from all of your windows, front and rear windscreen, mirrors, lights and number plates. If it’s been a heavy snowfall you’ll also want to make sure your roof is clear of any snow in order to avoid any falling and blocking your vision or becoming a hazard for other road users.

You also need to make sure you fully demist the inside of your car so that you can clearly see out of your front and rear windscreen and side windows for a full range of vision.

For more helpful articles make sure you check out our blog.