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As Snug As A Bug In A Rug (Or Bus, For That Matter!)
Posted by Chris Gilmour on October 21, 2008
As Snug As A Bug In A Rug (Or Bus, For That Matter!)
When the nights draw in and temperatures drop, it’s a good time to start thinking about checking that your VW is winter-ready. Here’s some simple tips to ensure that you keep on motoring this winter.
Make sure your lights are in good working order. Check to ensure that the head lamp reflectors are in good condition too. Don’t forget in Winter conditions it’s really important to regularly clean your front and rear lights (give the chrome a quick wipe whilst your there and keep the salt off, too)
Washer bottle fluid should be made up to a stronger mix in winter, to help stop it freezing and to cut through the grime. It’s also well worth checking the condition of your wiper blades and the springs of the wiper arms. It matters not how good the blades are if they’re flapping about in the air!
On water-cooled models, check the concentration of the anti-freeze mixture to protect against freezing and cracking the cooling system. If it’s low, don’t top up with plain water! If in doubt have it checked professionally rather than risk it.
On aircooled models, check that the heater cables still work smoothly and have not seized up over the summer. Now is not the time to be without heat!
Check the condition of the exhaust and on aircooled models pay particular attention to the heat exchangers. Any splits in these crucial components can lead to carbon monoxide entering the vehicle, which brings a whole new meaning to ‘gassing it’. Not at all good for your health!
Always check the condition of your tyres. Whilst the UK legal minimum is a paltry 1.6mm, The deeper the grooves, the better your moves!. If your tyres are looking a little low, it’s well worth investing in a new set for winter. Don’t forget to check all of your pressures - and the spare too!
Winter weather can play havoc with your electrics. Check the condition of your distributor cap and leads as damp or condensation can creep in and start causing problems. It is also worth paying attention to the condition of the points (look for pitting) and also the rotor arm (look for corrosion or wear)
Check the condition of V belts and charging systems. Check the battery levels too. Cold and damp starting can place significant extra strain on the battery. A battery conditioner can make a great purchase for cars that will be standing over the colder months.
A good old blast with the jet wash or hose pipe at regular intervals under you car will help work wonders by removing the build up of mud, sludge and salt. This should help keep the dreaded rust at bay, and prolong the need for expensive repairs.
After you’ve cleaned the underside. Make sure that all of the paint or underseal is in tip-top condition Cracked or peeling underseal can hold water and cause more rust than it prevents.
Useful spares to carry this Winter:
Whilst most of us remember to carry a window scraper and a can of de-icer, very few people carry these parts with them - and they can make the difference between sitting in the freezing cold, waiting for the AA - and toasting your feet by the fire:
Spare bulb kit, V Belt, Torch (with good batteries), Accelerator and Clutch cables, points and condensor (if not electronic ignition)
Breaking down in Winter is never fun, but with a little planning, it can be relatively painless.
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