Regular vehicle checks to keep your car in good condition gives you peace of mind, but be prepared just incase you do breakdown.

WINTER weather can increase the risk of having a car crash or breaking down as slippery roads mix with the effects of cold weather on a vehicle’s electrics, tyres and battery. The dark nights also mean longer evenings and extra car congestion as more people decide to use their vehicles as opposed to greener methods such as walking or cycling. To help motorists stay safe during the winter, we have put together a simple check list for road users to use to reduce their risk behind the wheel. 

It may seem a little excessive to have a bag full of essentials in the event of a breakdown but studies have shown that road users often have such items as phone chargers and loose change as opposed to safety equipment such as red warning lights or jump leads.   It is also important to be able to keep warm should you break down.  The last thing you need is to be on the side of a motorway freezing and wet.  The following list contains items that we recommend for you to have in your vehicle prior to making your journey this winter: 

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• Waterproof Jacket
• Jumper / Fleece / Hat
• Socks / Boots
• Scarf / Gloves 
• Warm Blanket
• First Aid Kit
• Torch
• Anti-Freeze 
• Screen Wash
• Red Warning Triangle
• Jump Leads
• Bottles of Water / Snacks

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Keep your vehicle well maintained. To make sure your vehicle is safe on the roads we offer free Winter Health Checks.   With no cost to you,  all it takes is a little bit of your time for extra peace of mind. Phone our Service Reception and book in today on 0161 477 6266.

• Make sure your overall visibility behind the wheel is improved by replacing your car’s headlights, topping up the screen wash on a regular basis and making sure your vehicle’s windscreens are kept completely clear both inside and outside. All of these tips will reduce your risk of making contact with a potential road hazard.

• Do not ignore early warning signs on your vehicle dashboard which may give clues a breakdown incident is imminent. We urge road users to make a note of dashboard warning lights or strange noises coming from a vehicle which could be signs of a bigger issue. 

• During the cold winter months, the last thing you need is a breakdown due to car battery problems. While the majority of batteries are guaranteed for four years and can go on to last between five and seven years, your car battery’s ability to charge is reduced in the cold weather, something to think about when choosing a new car battery.  Bosch makes car batteries that last quite a long time, and powerful ones too. If this battery fails on you within 4 years of ownership, Bosch will replace it absolutely free. We offer free battery checks and sell Bosch batteries too – book in today for your free check on 0161 477 6266.

Before you set off on your journey 

• There is a legal requirement to completely clear things like frost and ice from a windscreen, failure to do so can see police officers stopping the vehicle and issuing a £60 fine.
• Technology can offer massive distractions while behind the wheel and should be used as little as possible in a car. It is vital motorists have devices programmed and ready to go before setting off on a journey. 
• Sat navs or mobile phones should be set to a destination before starting a car to cut out time spent adjusting a final destination while on the move. Tweaking a device when a car’s engine is running is a criminal offence and motorists could be hit with severe fines if they are caught. 

Stay legal

• There is a legal requirement to completely clear things like frost and ice from a windscreen, failure to do so can see police officers stopping the vehicle and issuing a £60 fine. 

• It is also of the utmost importance to ensure your tyres are legal and therefore safe.  
• To ensure your tyres are safe, place a 20p coin into the lowest tread depth of your tyres. If you can’t see the outer rim around the edge of the coin, then your tyre is safe and has a minimum of 3mm tread depth.
• If you CAN see the rim then your tyre tread is less than 3mm and should be checked by a professional.  
• We offer free tyre checks here at John Delany Motors, so call into our reception today and make sure you are legal on the roads.

& make sure your MOT is valid

• Lastly please make sure your car has a valid MOT.  Motorists driving without an MOT are not only putting lives at risk, but they risk receiving a fine of upto £1000 and invalidating their insurance.