Now winter is here, it’s more important than ever to make sure that your car is roadworthy and can get you safely to your destination whatever the weather. If you have a company car then regular servicing and your annual MOT check might be included as part of your company’s car scheme, however, routine car maintenance is likely to be your responsibility so here are some of the important checks you need to do on your company car to keep it running this winter.
Tyres
One of the most important routine checks you’ll need to perform on your company car is to check your car tyres. You want to make sure that your tyres are in good condition during winter to avoid an increased chance of accidents. Look over your tyres for any obvious problems like flat tyres, punctures or other issues.
You should also check the tread on your tyres to make sure that it meets the minimum legal requirement. Many modern tyres come with an inbuilt indicator for tread depth but if yours don’t or you’re not sure, don’t worry as this simple check can also easily be done with a 20p piece.
Car Fluids
Make sure that all your car fluids are correct. This includes checking your engine oil and coolant (also called antifreeze) as well as your windscreen wash or wiper fluid. If any of your levels are low, get them topped up. You should perform these checks at least once a month as a minimum or more frequently if you do a lot of miles.
If you find yourself having to top up your engine oil more often than usual, this could indicate a leak or another issue with your engine so you might want to get your company car booked in at a reputable garage so they can take a closer look and accurately diagnose the problem.
Headlights
Make sure that the headlights on your company car are clean. if they’re not clean, then it limits your view of the road, particularly in bad weather and during winter when it gets dark earlier. Having obscured headlights also means you’re less visible to other road users, such as other drivers or pedestrians, which can be dangerous.
If any of your lights aren’t working, you should get these replaced immediately, not only is it dangerous to drive with broken headlights or brake lights but it’s also illegal and you could face a hefty fine and penalty points on your driving licence.
