Getting your car prepared for winter
September 10, 2025Winter can be an especially punishing time for you and your car – so, let’s spare a thought or two on preparing it for the testing weather conditions ahead.
Preparation is key
The better prepared you are, the more stress, time, and money you’re likely to save when winter driving conditions come along. As the weather turns colder, any mechanical issues with your car are likely to come to the fore. As the RAC has reported, there is a sharp increase in the number of emergency calls it receives when temperatures plummet.
You can help avoid the chaos of things going badly wrong when the weather turns rough if you maintain and service your car regularly in advance.
However carefully your car is maintained, however, wintry weather can certainly produce the unexpected – leaving you to cope with a roadside breakdown at the worst of times. That is when car breakdown insurance with roadside assistance will come into its own, and as we explained in our posting earlier this year.
Today’s cars might not break down quite as often as they did in the past, but you can be sure that when they do, it’s likely to be when you least expect or want it – on the side of the road when it’s pelting down with rain or blowing a bone-chilling wind.
Car breakdown insurance could then come into its own – and you can even get affordable car breakdown cover with home start options.
Survival kit
The description might be a little dramatic, but there is certainly kit that could make conditions more comfortable as you wait for the roadside breakdown crew.
Once again, preparation is everything whenever you set out during the winter months. With your car maintained in good condition, effective preparation also means keeping your fuel tank topped up – so that you have plenty in reserve if you get stuck and need to keep the heater running.
Extra layers of warm clothes, for example, can be especially welcome. Include a blanket or two also. Energy bars, chocolate, and other snacks may help to keep spirits up, though don’t forget you’ll need to stay hydrated too, so stow a few bottles of drinking water.
If you are setting out on a relatively long journey and snow is forecast, then you’ll clearly need to be even better prepared for emergencies. In this case, extra waterproof clothing may be necessary, along with stout, cosy footwear. Together with some food, make a warm drink to keep in a flask and make sure your mobile phone is fully charged. Keep a torch handy (winter days can be especially short) and have a shovel in the boot of your car.
With the peace of mind knowing you are prepared, you can set out on any necessary journey during the challenging winter months with confidence.
Further reading: Safe winter driving tips: be prepared and stay safe