Why You Need A Winter Car Service

Driving in the winter can be challenging and potentially dangerous as snow, ice, and cold temperatures can take a toll on your vehicle. A winter car service can help ensure that your car is better prepared to handle the harsh winter weather, reducing the risk of breakdowns and accidents on the road whether you’re driving across the UK or Europe.

Why Is A Winter Car Service Important?

A winter car service is important for a number of reasons. Here are just a few:

Vehicle Safety and Reliability

Cold weather and icy roads can be treacherous, and having a car that is in good working order is essential for keeping you and your passengers safe. A winter car service includes checks on all the vital systems that keep your car running smoothly, such as the brakes, tyres, and heating and cooling systems, including antifreeze/coolant levels.

Nobody wants to be stranded on the side of the road, especially not in the cold and snow. Booking a winter car service can help to reduce the risk of accidents or breakdowns while giving you peace of mind knowing it is as reliable as can be. If your car is well-maintained, it will take care of you and your pocket as minor issues can be repaired before they become serious.

A Winter Car Service Can Help Improve Fuel efficiency

Cold weather can put a strain on your car’s battery and engine, which can lead to a drop in fuel efficiency. A winter car service includes checks on these systems, and emissions to ensure that your car is running at its best and getting the best fuel economy possible.

Extended Lifespan With A Winter Car Service

Topping up oil during car servicing
Regular maintenance is important for any vehicle, but it is especially important in the winter months. Some components or parts that are checked during car servicing at a local garage include engine oil level, wiper blades, antifreeze, tyre pressure, headlight function and diagnostics among others. A winter car service helps to ensure that your car is in good working condition, which can help to extend its lifespan and save you money on costly repairs down the road; not to mention the benefit of a good resale value from a full-service history!

Recommended: The Importance Of Regular Car Servicing

What Does A Winter Car Service Cost?

The cost of a winter car service varies between garages and depends on your vehicle’s make and model. It can range anywhere from £100 to £250 and sometimes even more if your car requires extra attention and repairs, but it is still cheaper than a major breakdown or accident. At Elite Garages, our standard car service cost is from £103 while the premium car service starts at £180, depending on the garage location and your vehicle.

If your car is older than three years, don’t forget to book your MOT as this legally-required visual inspection can help keep your car in tip-top shape. If you don’t have a valid MOT certificate or proof that you are driving to an MOT appointment, you could receive hefty fines and risk invalidating your insurance.

Also Read: 7 MOT Failures And How To Avoid Them

What’s Included In A Winter Car Service?

During a winter car service, technicians will check and service your car’s key systems, including the brakes, tyres, and battery, to make sure they are in good working order. They will also look for any potential issues that could cause problems in the winter, such as rust or corrosion that could weaken your car’s structure. In addition, they may also recommend adding winter-specific equipment, such as winter tyres or snow tyres to improve your vehicle grip in icy weather conditions.

Whether you’re visiting Elite Garages Portsmouth, Brighton, Caterham, Maidstone, Elite Garages Shaftesbury, Newport (IOW) or Horsham, our technicians will contact you before doing any work if they’ve identified issues that may require further attention. For a full list of what’s included in our standard and premium car services, you will find a detailed list on our website.

Book Your Free Winter Check

At Elite Garages, we offer a free winter car check that covers many of the vital components of your vehicle to help ensure it is prepared for winter. Our technicians will look at things such as brakes, tyres, lights, oil and fluids to make sure everything is in good working order. If they find faults with anything, they will provide you with a detailed report and a no-obligation quote for repairs or replacements. Book your free winter safety check now!

Winter Car Service And Battery Maintenance Tips

According to RAC, flat batteries are among the top causes of breakdown call-outs every year. So, to help maintain your car battery in winter, here are a few things you can do:

  • Switch off electrical devices before turning off your car, including the interior lights and removing mobile phone chargers
  • Check your battery at least every three months to make sure it is holding power correctly
  • Start your car and let it run for at least 15 minutes or take it for a short 30-minute drive to recharge it
  • Check your alternator
  • Use a smart or trickle charger to keep the battery power levels maintained when you are not using the car
  • Alternatively, if you are away on holiday, ask someone you trust to start the car every two weeks and drive it for about 15 minutes

Also Read: Car Battery Testing And Maintenance Tips

Why You Should Use Your Air Con In Winter

You might think that air conditioning is only necessary for the summer months but it can actually be equally important during winter. Using your car’s aircon can help to clear the windows of condensation and fogging while keeping the interior warm and cosy. It also prevents moisture from building up and causing mould growth in your car’s ventilation system.

So, it’s a good idea to use your air con every so often even in the colder months. If you need an air con regas, or winter car service, Elite Garages can help. We also have an optional anti-bacterial air sanitiser from £10 that helps remove unpleasant odours and bacteria build-up in the system and the vents.

How To Drive Safely In Winter

winter driving tips
Even if you’ve had a winter car service, anything can happen on the roads, especially with poor visibility and less traction from wet surfaces. So, to help keep everyone safe, here are some important winter driving tips:

  • Inspect your car before driving, including chips on the windscreen and bulging or worn tyres
  • Ensure all lights, mirrors and windows are clean
  • Make sure your tyres still have at least 1.6mm (ideally 3mm) of tread depth
  • Check the weather forecast and adjust your driving habits accordingly
  • Drive slowly and leave plenty of space between you and other cars as braking distances increase in wet or icy conditions
  • Familiarise yourself with the route before setting off and have an alternative route in mind
  • Make sure you are familiar with any local driving restrictions and whether you can use snow chains
  • Fit winter tyres if you drive regularly and long distances

Top Locations For A Winter Car Service

If you are looking to book a winter car service in the south and southeast of England, you have several Elite Garages to choose from. Here is a list of our car service locations:

While all of our car service centres provide standard and premium car services and MOTs, Strood is the only exception. However, our Maidstone MOT centre is only approximately 30 minutes away.

We hope this guide has been useful in preparing you for driving in colder weather and why a winter car service is essential. If you have any questions about our wide range of services, please get in touch with our friendly team.