How to Prepare Your Car for Winter Roads: 6 Tips

Every winter season, we see these same situations in workshops across the entire UK. You could almost set your watch by it! Batteries that gave up the ghost, tires that had lost grip at even the first frost, or wipers that leave such bad smears across the windscreen that you may as well be looking at the world through cling film. This is nothing new, but it still catches people out.

Generally, preparing your car for winter roads isn’t the long checklist that many people think. It is a small handful of sensible checks that make a massive difference once the temperature drops.

As a service expert, my experience over the years at the dealership in preparing cars for winter to use daily is always the same: well-maintained cars will always make it through all winter, neglected cars will struggle the moment the first cold snap allows winter to take hold.

Here’s how to get your Vauxhall (or any car) ready for winter, based on real-world experience and what the UK’s top motoring organisations recommend — with a bit of behind-the-scenes insight from someone who sees the effects every year.

Step 1: Start With the Battery — Because Winter Hits It First

If you’ve ever had a car refuse to start on a frosty morning, you’ll know exactly why this comes first. Cold weather drains battery strength faster than most people realise. In fact, the RAC says battery-related breakdowns spike every winter — and I can confirm that from years of watching recovery trucks roll in.

A battery will seem fine in autumn-perfectly able to turn over the engine, but drop the temperature down two or three degrees, and it suddenly struggles to turn the engine over.

If you notice a slow crank when attempting to start, dim headlights as the engine cranks, or dashboard lights flickering are clear indicators that your battery is starting to fail.

A battery test is a no-brainer that takes no more than two minutes in a service bay. If your battery is four or five years old, not changing it could be more expensive; the cost of a new battery before the winter months is usually less than the inconvenience of having a completely flat battery on a cold night.

Step 2: Tires Make the Real Difference on Winter Roads

Competitors like AA, RAC, and Kwik Fit all emphasise tires because they make the biggest difference to your safety. It doesn’t matter how advanced your car’s safety systems are — if the tires can’t grip, nothing else works properly.

Here’s what is most important:

• Tread Depth: Tread depth needs to be more than “legal.” The UK legal minimum requirement for tire tread depth is 1.6mm, but in winter, it will cause trouble. Therefore, you should aim for 3mm to have enough grip in cold, wet, or icy conditions.
• Type Pressure: Tire pressure drops naturally as temperatures fall. Under-inflated tires reduce grip and increase braking distances.
• Location: If you live somewhere rural or in a higher altitude area like Eastern England or Scotland, consider all-season or winter tires. They’re not just for snow; they’re designed to stay softer and grippier in cold weather.

I’ve lost count of how many drivers came in complaining about sliding or poor handling, only for us to find tires worn to the edge.

Step 3: Inspection of Coolant and Antifreeze Concentration Before Winter

Most drivers will only pay attention to their coolant system when "something" is not functioning or lets them down. However, winter is when it is most important. Your coolant system is responsible for ensuring your engine does not freeze internally, and if your antifreeze concentration is not correct, this will cause your fluid to thicken and freeze.

At the beginning of winter, garages will employ a simple device, no more complicated than a simple hydrometer, to check your antifreeze (coolant) concentration. It’s quick, cheap, and worth doing. Coolant issues are one of those “silent problems” — you don’t know anything is wrong until you’re stuck.

And while you’re at it, top up the screenwash tank with winter-grade screenwash. Many of the top winter-prep guides mention this because water alone freezes instantly on the windscreen, and that’s the last thing you want when you’re trying to clear winter grime.

Step 4: Lights and Visibility Become Crucial During Long Winter Nights

Winter driving is mostly done in the darkness. Even at 4 pm, visibility drops sharply. UK winter conditions throw everything at your headlights — dirt, salt, spray, and condensation.

Here’s what you should do:

• Check every bulb, front and back.
• Clean the lenses — a thin film of dirt can cut your brightness in half.
• Make sure your fog lights work.
• Inside the car, ensure the heater and demister clear the screen quickly.

A slow demister usually means a clogged cabin filter. Replacing it takes minutes and makes a world of difference on damp mornings when the screen fogs up instantly.

Many drivers don’t realise this, but a weak heater or slow demist is often the first sign of a bigger airflow issue. Better to fix it now than wait until the school run.

Step 5: Wipers and the Windscreen Need Extra Attention in Cold Weather

Other blogs have also highlighted this because it’s something most drivers overlook. The truth is, winter will test your wipers more than the rest of the year combined.

If they leave streaks, chatter across the glass, or bounce at the edges, they’re ready for replacement. The dirt thrown up by winter roads eats through wiper blades faster than on dry summer days.

Also, check the windscreen for chips. A tiny chip can become a full crack when freezing temperatures hit. Cold causes expansion and contraction, and that chip spreads fast. And, a £40 repair now saves you from a full windscreen replacement later.

Step 6: Braking Systems Must Operate at Full Capacity When Road Conditions Are Poor

Winter brings to the fore the faults in braking systems that have been unnoticed in previous warmer months. A soft pedal, squeaking, grinding, or uneven braking all suggest checking the brakes.

Cold and wet weather will automatically increase stopping distance, and when with any issues with pads, discs, or brake fluid, the consequences are greater.

Tips for External Care of Your Car

Salt and road grit start appearing early once the council gritters come out. They protect the roads, but they’re not kind to your paintwork.

Winter protection tips you never see in AI-written content, but every technician knows:

• Rinse wheel arches regularly, as salt gathers there and causes rust.
• Wax your car before winter. It puts a protective layer between paint and salt.
• Keep door seals clean so they don’t freeze shut.
• Lubricate locks and hinges lightly to stop them from sticking.

These are small tasks, but they prevent long-term damage.

Always Carry a Winter Kit: Checklist to Consider

Top-ranking winter guides all include this, and they’re right, as a small winter kit goes a long way.

Keep these in your boot:

• Ice scraper
• De-icer spray
• A pair of gloves
• Torch
• Blanket or spare jacket
• Portable phone charger

You don’t need survival gear. Just enough to keep you safe if something unexpected happens.

Common Signs To Look When Your Car is Unwell

Cold mornings make rattles, squeals, or hesitation more obvious. If your car feels different, even subtly, winter will amplify it.

Some early signs include:

• Rough idling
• Struggling to start
• A belt squeal on cold starts
• Steering that feels heavier
• A faint vibration at certain speeds

These things don’t fix themselves. Get them checked before they turn into breakdown calls.

Get a Winter Check Today at Advance Motors

At Advance Motors, we’ve seen every winter-related issue you can imagine. Therefore, we have curated a special service called the seasonal service. Our winter checks aren’t just a quick look under the bonnet. We focus on the parts that genuinely cause problems when the weather dips.

Our expert technicians check:

• Battery strength
• Tire tread levels and pressures
• Brake condition
• Coolant protection
• Wipers and washer system
• Cabin airflow
• Exterior lighting
• Oil condition

It’s a practical, honest look at the areas that cause real breakdowns in winter. No fluff. No unnecessary upsells. Just proper preparation.

The Bottom Line

Winter roads demand more from your vehicle; however, none of this is rocket science. A good battery, good tires, good visibility, and a healthy braking system make more difference than anything else. Take care of the basics, and your car will perform much better than you anticipate in winter.

However, if you would rather have peace of mind prior to the wet winter arriving in the UK, you can bring your Vauxhall to the Advance Motors service centre located in Slough, Hemel Hempstead, High Wycombe, and Romford and Maidenhead for a winter health check-up.