Winter Car Checklist: Essential Tips & Gear Every Motorist Needs

Winter’s closing in and you need to ensure your car and kit are truly ready for the cold, dark, and hazardous season ahead. From battery problems to icy windscreens, winter brings unique challenges.

A few smart precautions and the right gear can make all the difference. This guide covers expert winter driving tips, essential maintenance steps, and trusted product recommendations to keep you safe and moving on even the frostiest morning.

Essential Winter Car Tips

1. Check Tyres and Grip
   Good quality tyres are vital in winter. Check tread depth and consider switching to winter tyres for better grip below 7°C, especially if you live in a rural or hilly area. Snow socks or chains can be a lifesaver if heavy snow hits. Always check you have any locking wheel nut key in the car.
2. Test Your Battery
   Cold weather can quickly drain old batteries, if yours has struggled recently, get it tested and replace if needed. Carrying jump leads or a compact jump starter is highly recommended for emergencies.
3. Maintain Visibility
   Ensure wipers, lights and washers work properly. Clean all windows and top up with quality screenwash that protects to at least -10°C. An ice scraper and de-icer spray are must-haves for frosty mornings.
4. Pack a Winter Emergency Kit
   Keep an emergency kit in your car: torch, in-car phone charger, charger cables, blankets, gloves, extra socks, snacks, drinking water, first aid kit, headache tablets, heated travel mug, tin of soup (coffee/tea sachets) and a hi-vis jacket. A sturdy snow shovel and boots help if you get stuck.
5. Top Up Fluids
   Monitor antifreeze/coolant levels and ensure your oil is winter-grade if necessary. Regular maintenance is extra important before the season changes.
6. Car/Windscreen Cover
   Keep the frost/snow off the windscreen and windows making for an easier defrost in the morning or evening.
7. Lubricate doorlocks
   Spraying your car door locks with the right lubricant can help prevent them from icing up in winter. Using products like WD-40, silicone spray, or graphite lubricant forms a protective barrier inside the lock mechanism, which repels moisture and stops ice from forming.
8. Ensure Wipers are off and parked
   Always make sure that your wipers are in the parked position and turned off when leaving the car. Don’t switch your wipers on till you are sure they are defrosted and you can lift them from the screen otherwise it could lead to the wiper mechanism failing.
9. Get Breakdown Cover
   Making sure you have sufficient breakdown cover is a must in winter, you never know when you might get caught out with the weather, breakdown, or even a collision. Having good cover ensures you will have help on hand.
10. Fuel
    If your travelling locally always try to have a least a quarter of a tank of fuel in the car just in case.

The tips above will go a long way to help you with your motoring through the winter season and be prepared for the unexpected.

It’s important to remember that even if you have breakdown cover in place, you should always keep a winter emergency kit in your car. During my time as a recovery driver, I often arrived at breakdowns to find people who had been waiting for up to four hours or more for assistance, sometimes in freezing conditions, and frequently unable to contact friends or relatives because their phone battery had died. Unfortunately, during periods of extreme weather, emergency services are stretched and delays are common, so being prepared with warm clothing, snacks, a torch, and a phone charger can make a real difference to your comfort and safety while you wait. Stay Safe