Author: Simon Pavey

Taking care of your tyres is important throughout the year, but during winter there can be a number of factors that make doing so all the more imperative.

With freezing temperatures, snow, ice and rain to contend with, understanding how to keep your tyres in the best possible condition and make use of the right sort of tyres to match the conditions you face is essential.

Check your tyres before each trip

A few simple checks can make all the difference to ensuring your vehicle is ready to face the rigours of winter, with an up-close examination of your tyres key to staying safe on the roads.

The first thing you should always check is that your tyres have sufficient tread depth to be able to displace any standing water.

Tread depth should always exceed the legal minimum of 1.6 mm and this can be checked easily by inserting a 20p coin into the tread and looking to see that the outer band of the coin is obscured. If you can still see the outer band of the coin after it is inserted, this means your tread depth has fallen below the legal minimum and they must be replaced.

The next thing to consider is the pressure of the tyres. You should consult your vehicle’s manual to find out the recommended psi of each tyre, and remember that this can be different for front and rear tyres.

Finally, another up-close examination is essential, this time looking out for any areas of excessive wear and tear around the entire circumference of the tyre. You should be searching for any rips in the tread or sidewall of the tyre, as well as possible bulges that may indicate a serious issue with the internals.

Safety is of utmost importance

Ultimately, your vehicle’s tyres are the only part of the car that physically comes into contact with the road. As a result, you’re solely relying on them to give you the grip, handling and braking that is so imperative when the weather takes a turn for the worse.

Each year, accident rates increase by around 20 per cent during the winter months in comparison to the rest of the year, so taking the time to check your tyres are in the best condition possible can help all road users to stay as safe.

Another change to consider at this time of year is the use of winter tyres. They are specially designed to provide optimal traction in colder temperatures of less than seven degrees Celsius. However, because of the softer compounds used in their construction, winter tyres can be more fragile and will wear more quickly than traditional, all-season tyres.

MyService.Expert offers regular reminders to our customers regarding the essential maintenance that keeps their vehicles in top condition. We also provide savings of up to 30 per cent on all parts and labour for customers, with thousands of garages across our national network where work can be carried out.

Winter is here and that means darker evenings, colder temperatures and plenty of wind and rain. As a result, windscreen wipers can take a battering at this time of year.

You should never underestimate the importance of being able to keep your field of vision clear and unobscured when driving, so taking the time to understand how to maintain and change your wiper blades when needed is something every motorist should do.

Why are the wipers such crucial equipment?

Being able to see clearly at all times is obviously essential for safety when travelling on the open road and windscreen wipers serve to remove debris and clear water that might otherwise inhibit the driver’s vision.

Common issues that might highlight a vehicle is in need of replacement wiper blades include smearing or streaking when clearing the windscreen that may indicate rips or tears in the material, as well as squeaking or skipping as the blades move back and forth.

It’s also important to remember that as wiper blades are made from rubber, freezing temperatures can cause the rubber to harden and this too can have an adverse impact on their ability to function correctly.

You should carry out a simple inspection on your vehicle’s wipers (both front and back) before embarking on any journey. It takes just a few seconds to lift the blades and examine them for signs of excessive wear and tear, but you might be surprised at just how often this simple step is overlooked.

How to change your vehicle’s wipers with ease

In the most part, changing a set of wiper blades is an easy undertaking. Indeed, it’s something that every driver should be able to carry out.

The first thing to do is to lift the arm of the wiper into its vertical position, then turn the blade perpendicular to the arm and locate the release tab.

Next, turn the blade parallel to the arm and apply gentle pressure to release the wiper blade. Repeat this process in reverse to attach the new blade.

This is the process for the vast majority of vehicles. However, if your car has a unique setup for its wiper blades, refer to your vehicle’s manual or visit the website of the manufacturer for more information.

We understand that vehicle maintenance can be costly and time-consuming, but at MyService.Expert we offer a solution to help keep your cars in tip-top condition with a minimum of fuss and expense.

Our service offers up to a 30 per cent discount on parts and labour for all our customers. We also offer regular maintenance reminders for vehicles you have covered, while you can make use of the facilities at thousands of garages across our national network.

Winter is here and that means driving is far more hazardous than at any other time of year.

If you want to stay safe this winter, then it pays to be smart about your driving behaviour. Indeed, research shows that accident rates increase by 20 per cent on average during the winter months.

Motorists can do something about this, however, with some simple steps helping to make all the difference when it comes to staying safe when there is snow and ice on the ground.

Top tips on safer winter driving

First and foremost, it’s important to remember that with the inclement weather common in winter comes the need to be extra vigilant when taking to the roads.

For example, when it rains, stopping distances can be doubled, so you should always remember to cut your speed and leave ample distance when following other road users.

Moreover, when it’s icy, stopping distances can be ten times what they are in the dry, so slow down when faced with ice or snow. Always adjust your speed to match the conditions you face.

As traction can be reduced when its cold and wet, remember to apply smooth driving practices that will help to maximise grip. This means avoiding aggressive braking and acceleration, as well as looking ahead on the road to anticipate potential hazards.

Darker evenings also mean it is imperative that motorists have good visibility, so take the time to ensure windows and mirrors are clean and clear at all times.

Finally, it’s important to stay connected when travelling in adverse weather, so charge up your mobile and have it ready to be able to call for assistance in the event of an emergency.

Make sure your car is in top condition

Winter can be a particularly harsh environment for vehicles, with freezing temperatures, rain, sleet, snow and grit on the roads meaning there is the potential for higher levels of wear and tear than at any other time of the year.

As a result, keeping your car clean and well maintained during the winter months should be a top priority for all drivers, as doing so will help to ensure excessive wear and tear and corrosion of parts and bodywork can be avoided.

Simple checks that every driver should aim to undertake each time they embark on a winter journey include checking the battery to ensure it is holding a good charge, the condition of tyres to ensure they have sufficient tread depth and are not overly worn, as well as cleaning your lights, windscreen and mirrors to maximise visibility.

Ellie Baker, brand manager at Fuel Card Services, comments: “Driving in the colder winter months is never easy, especially when faced with freezing temperatures, ice, wind, rain and darker days. Taking the time to properly prepare for every journey and being extra vigilant when behind the wheel is therefore essential.”

An MOT is essential for every car that is more than three years old in the UK. It’s a document which states the road worthiness of your vehicle and you can get into considerable hot water if you’re driving without one.

Every year, millions of vehicles are assessed in this manner, with many cars passing but a significant proportion seeing potentially dangerous issues flagged. Knowing what an MOT involves is therefore crucial if you want to ensure your vehicles are fit to face the rigours of the open road.

What does an MOT cover?

You can book an MOT at any one of thousands of registered MOT providers up and down the country, with the MOT itself usually taking no more than an hour to complete.

Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the different elements that will be specifically examined during an MOT:

• Horn: Must emit a continuous uniform note that is loud enough to be heard by other road users.
• Battery: Must be secure and show no signs of leaking.
• Wiring: Should be secure and undamaged throughout, with no risk of causing a short circuit or becoming detached.
• Towbar: Mountings must be secure and the bar itself must be in usable condition. All electrical connections must be working.
• Steering: Steering is assessed for strength, wear and tear and accuracy of moving the wheels. Vehicles with power steering will be tested to ensure their power steering fluid is sufficient within the reservoir. Steering lock is also checked.
• Suspension: Suspension components and shock absorbers are examined for signs of excessive wear and tear, corrosion, distortion or fractures.
• Brakes: Brake pads, pedals and levers must be in good condition, while all warning lights must work effectively. A brake efficiency test will be carried out, while ABS and ESC systems are also checked.
• Tyres/wheels: Tyre tread depth must be above the legal limit of 1.6mm and tyres must not have excessive wear and tear, lumps, rips or exposure of the inner cord. Wheels must be in a general good condition.
• Seat belts: Each seat belt is checked for condition (including attachments and fittings) and that it will restrain the occupant in the event of a sudden stop.
• Bodywork: A general inspection of body panels, chassis, engine, mountings, seats, bonnet, boot and doors for areas of excessive corrosion/sharp edges is carried out.
• Registration plates: Must be clear and legible up to 20 metres from the car and in line with DVLA requirements.
• Exhaust: Must be secure and have no holes. If a catalytic converter is required, this must be present and functional.
• Fuel system: Will check for leaks throughout the system. Fuel cap must close securely.
• Emissions: A gas analyser probe will be used to be used to test smoke emitted from the exhaust. Emissions of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons must fall within the legal limit.
• Mirrors and wipers: Wiper blades must be tear-free and in good condition. Mirrors are examined for cracks/damage that could obscure vision of the driver.
• Windscreen: Must be no damage or obstructions directly in front of the driver’s seat of more than 10mm. Outside this area, must be no damage or obstructions greater than 40mm.
• Speedometer: Must be fitted correctly, accurate and must be illuminated.
• Seats/doors: Must be fitted securely. Doors should close seamlessly and seats must be fully adjustable.
• Boot/tailgate: Must close securely.
• Lights: Must be correctly positioned, in full working order, not obscured, show the correct colour and not be adversely affected by the operation of other electrical equipment.
• Bonnet: Must latch securely when closed.

What isn’t checked on your vehicle’s MOT?

It’s important to understand that while an MOT is a comprehensive check on the road worthiness of a vehicle, it does not cover every aspect of the car.

Mechanics will not examine the engine, clutch and gearbox of a vehicle when carrying out an MOT. So, if you’re having difficulties or faults with any of these systems they will not be flagged.

Keeping up regular maintenance and ensuring you pay close attention to the general working of your car is therefore highly important.

At MyService.Expert, we offer competitive savings on all vehicle servicing, maintenance, repairs and MOTs for our customers. We can help to save fleets up to 30 per cent on the cost of all parts and labour, helping to take the hassle and expense out essential vehicle upkeep.

Visit My Fleet Hub for additional services information.