How to get your car ready for winter: a 10-point checklist

Most winter breakdowns can be prevented with an hour-long check in autumn. Here are 10 things worth checking before the first frosts — some you can do yourself, the rest at a car service.

What to check

1. Battery. Battery capacity drops in the cold while the engine needs more power to start. If your battery is over 4–5 years old or the car already starts reluctantly in autumn, ask a service to test it under load.
2. Coolant. Check the level and freezing point of the coolant — it takes a few minutes with a hydrometer or refractometer.
3. Winter tyres. Tread depth, age and condition — see when to switch to winter tyres for details.
4. Brakes. Pads, discs and brake fluid. Brake problems are felt most on slippery roads.
5. Lights. Headlights, side lights, brake lights and fog lights. It gets dark early in winter, and dirty or dim headlights are a common problem.
6. Wipers. Cracked blades leave streaks. New ones are better for winter.
7. Washer fluid. Replace summer fluid with winter antifreeze fluid before the first frosts, or the system may freeze.
8. Engine oil. If a change is due soon, do it before winter. Choose the viscosity recommended by the car manufacturer.
9. Door seals. Treat them with a silicone product so the doors do not freeze shut.
10. Winter kit. A brush and scraper, gloves, a tow rope, jump leads and a torch.

What to leave to a car service

Testing the battery under load, brakes, coolant and computer diagnostics are easy to do in one visit. Tell the mechanic you are preparing the car for winter so nothing is missed.

When to book

October is best, before the first frosts: after that, services get much busier. You can book a car service in Kovel online in the Veylo Telegram bot — pick a service and a free slot without phone calls.