Staying safe when driving is crucial for all road users, but road safety is at the forefront of your mind when you have kids. The winter brings some of the most challenging driving conditions, which means that taking extra care on the road is essential. However, to stay completely safe when driving in winter, you need to pay extra attention to vehicle maintenance. 

Maintaining your vehicle during winter is vital to ensure that your car is capable of handling the difficult conditions that the season brings. Icy roads, snow, and freezing temperatures are just some of the issues that your vehicle needs to be able to navigate over the winter. Here are the car maintenance tips that you need to know to stay safe on the roads this winter:

Replace Your Battery

If your car battery is now a few years old, it may struggle to cope with the demands of the colder weather. During the winter your battery is under extra-pressure to work and can drain more quickly. The darker days mean that your lights are on for longer, and your wipers and heaters will get more use too. Replacing your car’s battery is an excellent way to ensure that you don’t get into a dangerous situation, such as breaking down in freezing temperatures. Replacing your battery also helps to prevent the frustration of your car not starting when you need it most. If you have decided to change your battery, you can use this car battery finder to locate a supplier near you.

Check Your Tyres

Your car’s tyres are a big concern during the winter, and you will need to take extra care to ensure that they are safe. Wet weather, ice, and snow all make it hard for your vehicle’s tyres to grip the road and could cause an accident if your car skidded. To ensure your tyres have the best possible grip on the road, it is crucial to ensure that you check your tyre pressure and to take a look to see there is the correct amount of tread. It is vital to check your tyres regularly to help you and your family stay safe on the road, and ensure your tyres are not overinflated or underinflated.

Test Your Lights

The reduced visibility during winter will mean that you have your lights on more than at other times of the year. If one of your lights stops working, it can cause a significant safety issue, resulting in other vehicles not being able to see you, and could also prevent you from seeing the road ahead clearly. Depending on the lights that stop working, it may leave you without indicator lights or brakes. If these lights fail, you could cause a severe accident, putting yourself, your passengers, other road users in danger. 

Testing your lights regularly as part of your winter vehicle maintenance routine should help to prevent these potential problems from arising and help to keep you safe when travelling in winter weather conditions.