Is a winter health check a waste of money... and time?

​Is there still a need to carry out a winter health check, or winter service, on your car? Enhancements over recent years in engine components, lubricants and coolants have meant that your vehicle’s engine can operate efficiently at a much wider temperature range. In fact, low viscosity synthetic oils reduce engine wear, increases fuel economy and can increase the life of your engine, whatever the weather. That, coupled with developments in coolant, which can last up to 10 years, the argument for winter checks can sound quite weak.
 
However, as statistics show, there are still more breakdowns in winter than in any other season, and we strongly believe there is a need to carry-out a few simple winter checks, for your safety and peace of mind. If you take good care of your car, and have a regular yearly service, all should be fine, but it’s good practice to check the parts of your car that are particularly at risk from winter conditions.
 
At Okee we offer a free Winter Vehicle Heath Check which includes battery life, tyre health, fluid level checks, wipers, coolant strength, and brake effectiveness, among other things.
 
This health check should form part of your yearly vehicle maintenance plan, and we encourage everyone to have an annual vehicle service, an air conditioning regas and preferably a 4-wheel alignment (particularly if you notice uneven tyre wear) to keep your car in tip-top condition.
 
Your annual vehicle service will include detailed checks of your; lights and electrical systems, engine, brakes, steering, suspension and more. A vital element of the service is replacing the pollen filter (sometimes called ‘cabin filter’) at least every 24 months. When the pollen filter becomes full of dust, pollen and other foreign particles, the fresh air output into the car is heavily reduced and condensation will take longer to clear. Clearly an issue in winter (when you’re late for work!).
 
Also, an annual air conditioning re-gas is a really good idea, as your air conditioning system will leak up to 10% of its gas each year. Efficient AC is not only important in summer (to keep you cool), but also in winter, as it’s an effective method for demisting windows.
 
So, we would encourage everyone to have a winter vehicle health check. It’s undoubtedly not a waste of time, and as it’s a free service at Okee, money well spent!  We understand how difficult it is to remember all the things you need to do to ensure your car is in the best condition, and we always try to make the process as simple to understand as possible. We work with our Clients to create a bespoke yearly service plan for their vehicle, based on what’s best for them. To find out more about our services, please give us a call on 01823 617790 or email office@okeedrive.co.uk.
 
Also, for Winter Driving Tips go to the ROSPA website for some really useful resources and advice. Safe motoring everyone!