Fleet Hub

Driving home for Christmas...

Get your car ready for winter!

What you should do to prepare your car for the winter months:

1. Tyre tread - Your tyres are the only part of the car that touches the road, and it’s vital that they have the right tread to ensure grip. This is especially important in winter when roads are icy and you’re at more risk of skidding. Should your tyres need attention, please contact a local branch of your leasing company’s approved tyre provider, this can be found in the ‘My Account’ section on our website once logged in. Alternatively, a mobile fitting may be available contact details can be found in the ‘My Account’ section on our website.

2. Maintenance - It’s important to regularly check your fluid levels, this includes your screen wash, engine oil, engine coolant, brake fluid etc., but especially when it’s winter. Water expands when it freezes, so without antifreeze to prevent this from happening, you could cause damage to your car’s radiator and other pricey and essential engine components such as the head gasket. You can find out how to check your fluid levels by looking in your Drivers Handbook. If applicable, make sure that your MOT and any servicing are up to date. This will ensure your car is safe and ready for winter driving conditions.

3. Get charged up - The cold temperatures impact all batteries. In the case of an electric car, the weather may mean that it's going to take a little longer than usual to charge up. So, it's important you give yourself plenty of time to get the car up to 100% before setting away on your winter journey.

4. Keep your lights and number plate clean - Over the course of winter, your car pretty easily starts to build up a layer of muck. Both your lights and number plate need to be unobscured and readable. Making sure that your lights can work to their full effect has obvious benefits during the longer nights, and when it comes to plates, it’s vital for the police to be able to able to identify vehicles, hence why this law exists!

5. Emergency kit - Because of the damage winter weather can cause, it’s always good to have a little emergency kit in your car, and make sure you’re ready for every scenario. We’d suggest packing the following:

• Ice scraper & de-icer

• Warm clothing/blankets

• Phone charger

• Snow chains

• Appropriate footwear

• Emergency warning triangle

• Jump leads

• First aid kit

• Torch

There’s nothing like a white Christmas but make sure you’re prepared.