Preparing your car for winter

Fluids

Liquids of all descriptions have a nasty habit of freezing in cold weather and the vital ones that keep your car running are no exception. Anti-freeze is the solution to this and you should add it to your engine coolant and washer fluid as part of your winter prep. Failure to do so can result in frozen water pumps and radiators or even a cracked engine block.

A 50/50 mix of anti-freeze and water is advisable in winter conditions. This will give your fluids protection from freezing down to -34 degrees centigrade, which should be enough for the worst that the weather has in its locker.

A word of caution though, most modern cars use long-life anti-freeze and if this is mixed with other types, a sludge can form in the system. If you're in any doubt as to the sort of anti-freeze in your car, check with your dealer.