When winter is on the horizon, it is important to take steps to make sure your car is ready for the effects of the weather. While it might be an expense you aren’t keen on paying, you can save lots of money in the long run. You don’t want to be without a car over winter, or to potentially have to spend lots to fix the issues you could have avoided. Here are some ways you can prepare for winter before anything goes wrong.

Visibility

The winter can seriously affect your ability to see the road properly. This happens in many ways, most of which you can prevent. Perhaps the easiest way you can prepare for winter is to make sure your windscreen wipers are in good condition. New wiper blades are often as little as £20, but can save you from a dangerous visibility problem. This is also true of windscreen wiper fluid. Make sure you have the right mixture to avoid freezing.

Tyres

On difficult surfaces, you need to make sure that the only point of contact with the road stays in a good condition. You have two options – either make sure that your current tyres stay in proper condition, or get specific winter tyres. If you choose the former, make sure your tyre tread is within the legal minimum of 1.6mm – although at least 3mm is what the government recommend. If you look for winter tyres, you will have a better point of connection with the road through the particular design of the tyres.

Under the Bonnet

Your car’s most important parts are usually out of sight, under the bonnet. This doesn’t mean that they should be out of mind though. While it is always a good idea to check on your car’s fluid levels, there is no time more important to do this than in the winter. Antifreeze stops your engine from freezing over – especially important in the winter. Make sure that you have topped up to proper levels – and with good enough fluid.

Even if you prepare for winter thoroughly, the unexpected can happen. If you do have an accident, and your car is written off, you might find that you get less from your insurers than you’d hope. GAP Insurance gives you back the difference between what your insurers pay you, and what you paid for your car in the first place. Don’t lose out this winter on the value of your car.