Here at ACC UK Ltd, Independent Volvo and Toyota Servicing, Repair and MOT Specialists based in the heart of Farnborough, Hampshire we like to give you weekly hints, tips and advice on all car related matters. With Winter truly upon us is your car 'Winter Ready'? With daily changes in the weather from rain, sleet, ice, snow, fog and everything in between its imerative your car is ready to cope with all these changing weather factors. Keeping your vehicle well maintained is important all year round, but doubly so in winter. For example, worn tyres won't hold the road in wet conditions as well as those with with a good, deep tread.

Make sure all exterior lights are working correctly and that windscreen wiper blades are in good condition. Check the oil, coolant and washer fluid levels. And, don't leave home on that long trip over lonely country roads without enough fuel for the journey.

The following checks will help ensure your vehicle is ready for winter:

Note: Before carrying out these checks, make sure your vehicle is cold and parked on a flat, level surface.


  1. Car Battery - the RAC reports that they attend more call-outs for batteries than any other problem. During February 2012 they went to more than 50,000 battery-related call-outs. Remember, if your car has not been used for a period of time, the battery may need charging before you come to use it. If in any doubt as to the condition of your battery pop along to your local independent garage, such as ACC UK Ltd, Volvo & Toyota Servicing, Repair and MOT specialists of Farnborough where they are more than happy to check your battery for free - it will give you peace of mind and at least you will be well prepared in advance. 
  2. Coolant - ensure that coolant is between the minimum and maximum markers. It is also important that there is sufficient anti-freeze in the coolant. If you're uncertain, have a look at your handbook or get your local independent garage such as ACC UK Ltd, Volvo and Toyota Servicing, Repair and MOT Specialists of Farnborough, Hampshire to check the strength. Anti-freeze is cheap to buy and your local garage will normally stock some. ACC UK Ltd advise carrying a handy boot bag in your car with coolant, antifreeze, water and oil! Damage from a frozen engine can be very expensive to put right, depending on the age of the car you may find that the repair or replacement of the engine is not worth it, or you dont have a spare couple of grand kicking about to instigate the repairs then you will be left with no car. Spend a few minutes checking and a couple of quid topping it up - dont take the risk in these freezing temperatures.
  3. Tyres - check tyre condition to see if there is adequate tread. Look for damage such as splits or bulges and check the pressure. If you live in an area particulary at risk of snow consider purchasing winter tyres or snow socks which give you greater traction and control. If you are unsure of the correct tread requirements use the 20p method of measuring, failing that take it to your local independent garage such as ACC UK Ltd Independent Volvo and Toyota Servicing, Repair and MOT Specialists of Farnborough, Hampshire - they offer free tyre checks to their customers! Maintaining your service schedule and actioning advisories on your MOT are so important - dont delay and put these important things off as a cost cutting exercise - they invariably end up costing more when a minor problem manifests itself into a far bigger one!
  4. Screenwash - make sure you have enough screenwash and that the concentration is suitable for cold conditions. Not all screenwash is the same so look for the temperature it protects down to. You should be looking for protection down to down to -10 degrees C and if you live in areas subject to the greatest extremes of weather, down to -20 degrees C. If you don't use a good quality screenwash there is a danger your washer pump could freeze which might lead to the fuse blowing and your wipers not working because they are often on the same fuse. If in any doubt pop along to your independent garage, they will be more than happy to assist - and always check your bonnet fluid levels regularly. With so much grit on the roads at the moment it doesnt take much to turn the windscreen white and impair visiblity and having no screen wash will make driving dangerous or impossible.
  5. Wiper Blades - check your wiper blades for damage and replace if necessary. When wiper blades become frozen to glass it is very easy to damage them when freeing them up. Be gentle and ensure you lift them from the windscreen when you are de icing before you turn your wiper blades on.

ACC UK Ltd are Independent Volvo and Toyota Servicing, Repair and MOT Specialists based in the heart of Farnborough, Hampshire. We pride ourselves on offering a dealership service at a fraction of the price. We service the vehicles of customers from a wide range of areas including Farnham, Guildford, Surrey, Hook, Fleet, Aldershot, Camberley, Frimley, Sandhurst, Crowthorne, Yateley, Wokingham and Bracknell, Berkshire to name but a few. We offer a free collection and delivery service along with free courtesey cars. If you require one of these please advise at the time of booking. Happy Motoring and we look forward to quoting you happy on your next service or repair!