Winter Car Maintenance Checklist for West Bromwich Drivers

Prepare your car for winter in West Bromwich

Winter brings cold temperatures, wet roads, and shorter days. Your car works harder in winter — batteries drain faster, fluids thicken, and brakes face more demanding conditions.

At Sun Garage in West Bromwich, we recommend a winter check in October or November to catch problems before the cold really sets in.

Battery health — critical in cold weather

Cold weather dramatically reduces battery performance. A battery that works fine in summer may struggle or fail completely in winter. If your battery is more than 3 years old, ask us to test it before winter.

Signs of a failing battery: slow cranking, dimmer lights when starting, or a clicking sound when you turn the key.

Winter battery checks:

• Battery age — over 3 years? Consider replacement
• Terminal corrosion — white or blue powder? We will clean it
• Load test — we can measure how well it performs
• Alternative charging — if the alternator is weak, we test that too

Brakes: wet and cold conditions demand peak performance

Winter brings wet roads, ice, and slippery surfaces. Your brakes need to be in perfect condition to keep you safe.

• Brake pad thickness — minimum 3mm for winter safety
• Disc condition — smooth and free from scoring
• Brake fluid level and condition — absorbs moisture in winter
• ABS system — check for warning lights

Tyres: grip is everything in winter

Winter tyres are designed for cold-weather grip. If you use summer tyres in winter, consider switching to winter tyres or checking your existing tyre condition is excellent.

Tread depth: minimum 1.6mm legally, but 3mm is safer in winter. Pressure drops in cold weather — reset to the correct spec.

Fluids: cold affects everything

Oil thickens in cold, diesel can gel, and antifreeze loses effectiveness. Check all fluids before winter.

• Engine oil — correct grade for winter (check the handbook)
• Coolant antifreeze — tested for -20°C protection
• Brake fluid — check level and test for water content
• Windscreen wash — switch to winter formula (do not freeze)
• Power steering fluid — check level

Lights and wipers: visibility is safety

Winter days are short and nights are long. Make sure all lights work, and replace wiper blades if they streak or chatter.

Book a winter check at Sun Garage

If you want a complete winter check without the DIY work, call us on 0121 553 0296. We will check battery, brakes, tyres, lights, and fluids, then give you a report with no obligation to have work done.

Better to be prepared now than stranded in the cold later.