Winter in West Yorkshire can be brutal. Freezing temperatures, ice, frost, salt-laden roads, and reduced visibility all take their toll on vehicles and drivers alike. The good news is that most winter-related breakdowns and accidents are preventable with some straightforward preparation in autumn before the cold sets in.
Here's our comprehensive winter car preparation guide from the team at Pro Flo Exhausts & Tyres, Bradford.
Your tyres are the single most important factor in winter driving safety. On cold, wet roads, tread depth and tyre pressure become even more critical.
The UK legal minimum is 1.6mm, but for winter driving we'd recommend a minimum of 3mm. Wet-weather braking performance deteriorates significantly between 3mm and 1.6mm — on icy or slushy roads, this difference is even more pronounced. Use a 20p coin to check: if the outer rim of the coin is visible in the tread grooves, you're near or below the limit.
Tyre pressure drops by approximately 1 PSI for every 10°F (5.5°C) drop in temperature. Tyres that were at the correct pressure in September may be noticeably under-inflated by December. Check and adjust pressures monthly through winter.
Dedicated winter tyres use a different rubber compound that stays softer in cold temperatures (below 7°C), providing better grip than standard summer tyres. If you drive regularly in cold, icy conditions, they're a worthwhile investment. We supply and fit winter tyres at Pro Flo — call us for availability and pricing.
Antifreeze prevents your engine coolant from freezing, which could crack the engine block — an extremely expensive repair. Check the antifreeze concentration in your coolant (a simple tester is available from any motor factor for a few pounds). Most manufacturers recommend a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water, which protects down to around -34°C.
Also check the coolant level in the expansion tank — between the min and max marks when cold. If you're regularly topping up, have the system checked for a leak.
Cold weather dramatically reduces battery capacity. A battery that just about coped in summer may fail completely on a cold January morning. If your battery is more than 3–4 years old, or if you've noticed slower cranking when starting, have it tested before winter. Battery failure is one of the most common causes of winter breakdowns.
Bradford tip: Short journeys are particularly hard on batteries — the engine uses a lot of power starting from cold, and a short journey doesn't give the alternator enough time to recharge it. If you predominantly make short trips, your battery will discharge gradually over winter.
Shorter days mean you'll use your lights far more in winter. Check all lights — headlights, brake lights, fog lights, and indicators — before the clocks go back. Ask someone to help you check brake lights and indicators that you can't easily see yourself. Replace any failed bulbs promptly — it's a legal requirement and an MOT fail.
Make sure your windscreen is properly clear before driving — it's illegal to drive with an obscured view. Invest in a good quality screenwash (properly diluted for winter — cheap screenwash can freeze in the pipes and jets). Check that your wiper blades clear the screen cleanly without streaking, and replace them if they're worn.
Salt on winter roads accelerates corrosion, particularly on exhaust systems. If your exhaust has been showing signs of rust or noise, winter is the time it's most likely to deteriorate quickly. At Pro Flo we fit stainless steel exhausts that don't rust — a permanent solution to winter corrosion.
In very cold weather, condensation can form in an almost-empty fuel tank, leading to water in the fuel. Keeping your tank at least a quarter full in winter reduces this risk and also means you're not stranded if you get stuck in unexpected traffic or bad weather.
Even if your car is perfectly prepared, winter conditions can lead to unexpected situations. Keep these in the boot:
We supply winter tyres, check tyre pressures and tread, and inspect exhausts and cooling systems. 365 Canal Road, Bradford BD2 1AL.
Book a Check Call 01274 370194