Australia has always been known for its sunshine and rough deserts. But did you know that the winter months in the country, from June to August, are when the average temperature can drop between 8.8°C to 17°C?
These cold temperatures can make driving challenging, with snow and ice covering almost everything outside. As a result, taking proper care of your car during the winter is non-negotiable.
But how do you do that? This blog will explore some of the most important car maintenance tips for Australian winters. So, let’s dive into these tips to prepare your car for winter better.
Top Car Care Tips Before Winters in Australia
There are numerous ways to ensure proper car maintenance during the winter in Australia. Here, we will explore some of the most important car care tips to help you winterise your car:
1. Go For a Battery Checkup
The winter seasons are the greatest enemies of your car battery. These extremely cold temperatures can drain almost 50% of its power, leaving it weakened and challenging to start the engine.
Therefore, the wise option for you here is to schedule a battery check with a trusted professional dealing with car inspections in Adelaide. If you find that the battery is nearing its end, it would be wise for you to replace it before winter’s arrival.
You must also clean the battery’s terminals to prevent corrosion buildup that can prevent seamless power flow. Taking proper care of your car battery is one of the important car care tips you need to keep in mind for winter.
2. Check All Tyres (Including The Spare One)
Your car’s tyres are the only point of contact between the car and the road. Driving around with worn-out tyres during the winter poses significant safety risks. This makes proper tyres and vehicle inspection mandatory for your car before the winter.
The first thing you need to do is check for the tyre’s tread depth to ensure it offers proper grip on winter roads. Besides that, checking the tyre’s pressure is another important requirement, as colder temperatures tend to decrease the pressure.
If you live in colder areas where frost and snow are common winter sights, you can consider getting winter tyres. Any mobile auto mechanic can fix you with these specialised tyres with a softer rubber compound for better traction on colder roads.
3. Check Your Brakes
Brakes are the only way to slow your car down; anything wrong with these components can even be life-threatening. Proper brake inspections are one of the most important winter car maintenance tips.
The first thing you need to do is check that the brake pads are not worn out and that there is enough brake fluid to keep things going. You must always keep an eye on you for any warning signs such as a spongy brake pedal, grinding sound, or increased stopping distances.
This is one of your top car care tips before winter since any such signs and sounds could indicate that your brakes need proper maintenance. You must schedule a brake inspection with your trusted mechanic to prepare for the harsh winters.
4. Fluid Inspections
Your car’s engines must keep all the fluids running to ensure everything functions as intended. Unsurprisingly, the colder winter temperatures can make these fluids’ flow difficult, further hampering the car’s operational potential.
This makes it very important you schedule a full car inspection before the winter and evaluate their condition. You must start by checking the engine oil and use the recommended low, preferably with lower viscosity, to ensure it flows easily even in colder temperatures.
Then, you must check your car’s coolant, which regulates the engine’s temperature. Also, check the levels of windshield washer fluid. You should use winter-grade windshield fluids to prevent the liquid from freezing in colder temperatures.
5. Don’t Forget The Visibility Essentials
Proper visibility is essential for every weather, but even more so during the winter when the days are much shorter. You can seek out car mechanic mobile services to determine if everything is working properly and ensure you get proper visibility.
Start with an inspection of your windshield wipers and keep an eye out for any tears, cracks or signs of worn-out rubber. If you notice any issues with the windshield, make a wise choice and replace them immediately before winter.
The next item on your visibility checklist should be your car’s headlamps, turn signals, brake lights, and tail lamps. Check these lights properly to ensure they offer uncompromised visibility on the road. You can also keep a de-icing scraper or spray in the car to remove any ice or frost from the windows and windshield.
Also read: 11 Crucial Vehicle Inspection Checklist
Final Thoughts
Your car is your mode of transport for every weather and terrain. So, taking care of your car to better prepare them for the Australian winters is a great way to ensure safety. You need not do much for your car, but even following the aforementioned simple tips is enough to get the job done. There’s also the option of hiring a mobile auto inspection service to assess your car’s condition with convenience and better prepare for the winter.
If you are looking for a reliable car mechanic mobile service in Australia, Mobile Mechanic Adelaide is here to provide the best service! How? Find out below!
Why Choose Mobile Mechanic Adelaide?
At Mobile Mechanic Adelaide, we understand your car and what it needs. Our experts will quickly run multiple scans to determine potential issues and address them quickly.
But what’s more important is that we will come to you, saving you the time and effort needed to drive to a workshop. Reach out to us today and experience the difference we can make for you and your car!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is it important to winterise a car in Australia?
A – If you are someone living in the relatively colder regions of Australia, then preparing your car for the winter is essential for your safety and to protect your car’s operational potential,
Q2. Do I need to change my car tyres before the winter?
A – It is important you check your car tyres for any potential signs of wear and tear. In case the damage seems too severe, make sure you replace them before winter for better safety and traction on the road.
Q3. How much does it cost to check my car’s brakes?
A – The cost of checking your car’s brakes will depend on various factors such as the type, model, and make of the car, along with the location in which you are.
Q4. Is it alright if I mix some water in my car’s coolant?
A – Most expert mechanics will recommend you add a mixture of half antifreeze and half water, so mixing some water with the coolant should not raise any concerns.
Q5. Should I clean my car battery’s terminals to better prepare for the winter?
A – Cleaning your car battery’s terminals is highly important during the winter since it helps facilitate seamless power throughout the car.
