How to Prepare Your Car for the Cold Winter Weather

Winter roads can be tough on your car.

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As winter sets in and frosty mornings become part of our everyday routine, it’s more important than ever to make sure your car is ready for the cold weather. Seasonal maintenance not only keeps your vehicle running smoothly but also plays a vital role in keeping you safe on the road.

From checking your tyres to topping up antifreeze, here are some simple but effective winter car care tips to help you stay prepared during the colder months.

Check Your Tyres 

Cold temperatures can reduce tyre pressure, affecting grip and handling. Check your tyre pressure regularly and make sure the tread depth is at least the legal minimum (1.6mm), though deeper tread is recommended for winter driving. Good tyres improve traction on wet, icy, or frosty roads.

Test Your Battery

Car batteries work harder in winter and are more likely to fail in cold weather. If your battery is over three years old or slow to start, it may be worth having it tested or replaced before it lets you down.

Top Up Fluids

Ensure your antifreeze is at the correct level and properly mixed to prevent the engine from freezing. Use winter-grade screen wash to stop it freezing on your windscreen and keep visibility clear at all times.

Check Lights and Wipers 

With darker mornings and evenings, fully working lights are essential. Replace any blown bulbs and clean lenses regularly. Make sure your wiper blades are in good condition to cope with rain, sleet, and snow.

Be Prepared

Keep a small winter emergency kit in your car, including a blanket, de-icer, torch, and phone charger, just in case.

Taking a little time now to prepare your car for winter can help prevent breakdowns and accidents. If your vehicle does suffer damage this winter, Yeovil Accident Repair is here to help get you safely back on the road.

If you require any assistance from our team, click here or call us on 01935 709999.

Accurate at time of publication [January 2026].

Ocean Automotive Limited is an Appointed Representative of Automotive Compliance Ltd, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA No 497010). Automotive Compliance Ltd’s permissions as a Principal Firm allows Ocean Automotive Limited to act as a credit broker, not as a lender, for the introduction to a limited number of lenders and to act as an agent on behalf of the insurer for insurance distribution activities only.

We can introduce you to a selected panel of lenders, which includes Volkswagen Financial Services. An introduction to a lender does not amount to independent financial advice and we act as their agent for this introduction. Our approach is to introduce you first to Volkswagen Financial Services who are usually able to offer the best available package for you, taking into account both interest rates and other contributions. If they are unable to make you an offer of finance, we then seek to introduce you to whichever of the other lenders on our panel is able to be make the next best offer of finance for you. Our aim is to secure the best deal you are eligible for from our panel of lenders. Lenders may pay a fixed commission to us for introducing you to them, calculated by reference to the vehicle model or amount you borrow. Different lenders may pay different commissions for such introductions, and Volkswagen Financial Services also provide preferential rates to us for the funding of our vehicle stock and also provide financial support for our training and marketing. But any such amounts they and other lenders pay us will not affect the amounts you pay under your finance agreement, all of which are set by the lender concerned. If you ask us what the amount of commission is, we will tell you in good time before the Finance agreement is executed. All finance applications are subject to status, terms and conditions apply, UK residents only, 18’s or over. Guarantees may be required.

Ocean Automotive (Swedish) is an Appointed Representative of Automotive Compliance Ltd, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA No 497010). Automotive Compliance Ltd’s permissions as a Principal Firm allows Ocean Automotive (Swedish) to act as a credit broker, not as a lender, for the introduction to a limited number of lenders and to act as an agent on behalf of the insurer for insurance distribution activities only.

We can introduce you to a selected panel of lenders, which includes Volvo Car Financial Services UK. An introduction to a lender does not amount to independent financial advice and we act as their agent for this introduction. Our approach is to introduce you first to Volvo Car Financial Services UK, who are usually able to offer the best available package for you, taking into account both interest rates and other contributions. If they are unable to make you an offer of finance, we then seek to introduce you to whichever of the other lenders on our panel is able to be make the next best offer of finance for you. Our aim is to secure the best deal you are eligible for from our panel of lenders. Lenders may pay a fixed commission to us for introducing you to them, calculated by reference to the vehicle model or amount you borrow. Different lenders may pay different commissions for such introductions, and Volvo Car Financial Services UK also provide preferential rates to us for the funding of our vehicle stock and also provide financial support for our training and marketing. But any such amounts they and other lenders pay us will not affect the amounts you pay under your finance agreement, all of which are set by the lender concerned. If you ask us what the amount of commission is, we will tell you in good time before the Finance agreement is executed. All finance applications are subject to status, terms and conditions apply, UK residents only, 18’s or over. Guarantees may be required.

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