Winter Car Checks: How to Get Your Car Ready for the Cold

Before the first hard frost, check five things: tyres, battery, coolant, wipers and screenwash, and lights. Most winter breakdowns come from one of these, and most of the checks take a few minutes on the driveway.

Cold mornings, wet roads and short daylight hours put extra strain on a car. Here is what to look at, what you can do yourself, and when it is worth booking the car in.

How much tread do my tyres need for winter?

The legal minimum for a car is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread, all the way round. That is the minimum, not a safe winter target. Grip on wet and slushy roads falls away noticeably as tread wears down, so many drivers replace tyres well before they reach the legal limit.

• Check the tread depth on every tyre, including the inner edge, which is easy to miss.

• Check pressures when the tyres are cold, using the figures in your handbook or on the door pillar. Pressures drop as temperatures fall.

• Look for cuts, bulges and cracking in the sidewalls.

If you drive on higher, rural roads around the Pennines in winter, our guide to winter tyres explains whether they are worth it.

Will my battery survive the cold?

Cold weather makes a battery work harder to start the engine, so a weak battery often fails on the first frosty morning. Warning signs include slow cranking, a clicking noise when you try to start, dim lights and stop-start that has stopped working.

Short trips make it worse, because the battery never gets fully recharged. If your battery is several years old or the car mostly does short journeys, have it tested before winter rather than waiting for it to fail.

Do I need to check antifreeze?

Yes. Coolant with the right antifreeze mix protects the engine from freezing and from corrosion. Check the level in the expansion tank with the engine cold. It should sit between the minimum and maximum marks. Use the coolant type your handbook specifies, as mixing types can cause problems.

If the level keeps dropping, there is a leak somewhere and it needs looking at.

Are my wipers and screenwash ready?

Worn wiper blades smear rather than clear, which is dangerous when the sun is low or the road spray is heavy. Replace blades that judder, streak or have split rubber.

• Use a winter screenwash that will not freeze in the bottle or on the glass.

• Never pour hot water on a frozen windscreen. It can crack the glass.

• Clear all the windows, mirrors and lights before you set off, not just a small patch. The Highway Code expects you to be able to see properly in every direction.

Do all my lights work?

With darker mornings and evenings, check every bulb: headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and number plate lights. Ask someone to stand behind the car while you press the brake. Clean the lenses too, as road grime cuts light output.

What should I keep in the car over winter?

• An ice scraper and de-icer

• A torch and a phone charging cable

• A warm coat, blanket and gloves

• Water and a few snacks

• A small shovel and something for grip, such as an old mat

• Jump leads, if you know how to use them safely

Common questions

Should I get my car serviced before winter?

If a service is due in the next couple of months, doing it before winter makes sense. A service covers fluids, filters, brakes and a general look over the car, which catches many of the problems that cause cold-weather breakdowns.

How often should I check tyre pressures in winter?

At least once a month and before any long journey. Cold weather lowers pressures, so a quick check when it first turns cold is worthwhile.

Is it worth warming the engine up before driving?

Leaving the engine idling while you scrape the windows is not necessary for modern cars and wastes fuel. Clear the glass fully, then drive gently for the first few miles while the engine warms up.

Get your car ready for winter in Barnsley

Our service centre in Barnsley, South Yorkshire can check your tyres, battery, coolant and lights, or carry out a full service. Our labour rate is £80 per hour plus VAT, and our menu prices include VAT. Book through our servicing and repairs page or call Customer Care on 01226 574321. For more seasonal tips, see our car care advice.

Updated October 2026.