Road Safety Week: Motoring experts reveal the three most-ignored winter car checks
A survey of over 40 servicing specialists reveals checking tyre pressure is the most neglected basic maintenance (47%) followed by topping up essential fluids (24%) and getting a scheduled oil change (17%)
With Road Safety Week commencing next week, it is timely reminder to consider the safety of our vehicles more than ever.
While the icy roads and windscreens pose risk, new data has revealed there are simple car checks that are going under the radar.
This comes as new research from Vertu, which surveyed over 40 servicing specialists, found that a staggering 43.5% of professionals believe regularly checking tyre pressure is the single most common maintenance issue that customers delay or ignore, followed by topping up essential fluids (23.9%) and getting a scheduled oil change (17.4%).
On the importance of car maintenance during the colder months, Calum Thomson, Group Service Director at Vertu, explains:
"The most dangerous issues are often the ones that seem minor. A car that feels fine in autumn can quickly develop problems when the temperature drops.
“Our servicing specialists see the consequences of these overlooked checks every day, from dangerous tyre blowouts to engine damage that could have been easily prevented."
So, to help drivers stay safe, experts at Vertu have revealed the three most critical maintenance checks that are too often ignored.
1. Check your tyre pressure and tread
A drop in temperature causes the air in your tyres to contract, leading to a loss of pressure that can severely compromise your car’s handling and grip on wet or icy surfaces. This is the most commonly ignored check, yet it is one of the most critical for winter safety.
The team have taken to TikTok to show an in depth tutorial of checking your tyres.
To get an accurate reading, always check your tyre pressure when the tyres are cold, using a pressure gauge. You can find the correct pressures for your vehicle in the handbook or on a sticker inside the driver's door sill. For tread depth, the legal minimum is 1.6mm, but for winter driving, 3mm is recommended for better grip. You can use the 20p test; if you can see the outer band of the coin when inserted into the tread, your tyres may be unsafe.
2. Inspect your essential fluids
Forgetting to check your fluids is the second most common oversight according to technicians. If the concentration of antifreeze in your coolant is too low, it can freeze and expand, potentially cracking the engine block and leading to a repair bill worth thousands. Similarly, a frozen screenwash system can leave you blind to road grime at the worst possible moment.
Before winter sets in, ensure your coolant is a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water. You can buy a simple tester to check the concentration. At the same time, top up your screenwash reservoir with a winter-grade formula that has a lower freezing point, and check your engine oil is at the correct level, as the cold can cause it to thicken and strain the engine on start-up.
3. Test your battery’s health
A cold battery has significantly less power, just as the demands from heaters, lights, and wipers are at their peak. An older battery that seems fine in mild weather can fail without warning, leaving you stranded on a dark, cold morning.
So, if your car battery is over three years old, it is wise to have its health checked by a professional before winter arrives. Listen for any sluggishness when you start the engine, as this is a key warning sign that the battery is struggling and may need replacing by a professional.