10+ Tips to being safe on the roads this winter

Information from Rejel the official suppliers of Dinitrol rustproofing

All cars no matter what their age need continual tender loving care to keep them going for longer and most importantly to keep you safe on the road. Winter care maintenance is of particular importance due to the limited number of daylight hours and the risk of adverse weather conditions. With a long winter ahead knowing your brakes, lights, windscreen wipers, tyres and other components are all in good working condition will give you peace of mind. Knowing you and your passengers are safe every time you turn the key in your ignition will give you added confidence no matter what the weather throws at you!

Here is a general car check list to ensure good overall maintenance which you can either tackle yourself or send your car to a professional who offers winter car maintenance checks.

1. Brakes - particularly important when driving on wet roads (more cautious approach to braking to avoid aqua-planning) or at dusk when fading light create hazardous driving conditions due to impaired visibility - don't wait to have an accident in these conditions. Your cars braking system is the most important safety item. Brake pads last an average of 25000km's before they need replacing.
2. Lights - when not working you will soon know about it - law enforcement will soon be knocking at your window to alert you or worse still fine you! The most obvious reason for lights working is the need to see during night time driving and to alert other motorists of your presence on the roads. The brake lights, tail lights and indicator lights are also just as important as the head and taillights which all require maintenance.
3. Tyres and tread - check tyres regularly for any uneven wear, which if present may be due to an alignment issue or a problem with the cars suspension or wheel balance. Regardless of the cause it needs to be dealt with as the tread on car tyres is extremely important for your safety when driving in wet, icy or snow conditions.
4. Tyre pressure - regular tyre inspection is important to ensure they are all fully inflated and have the legal amount of tread on them.  Tyre pressure also affects handling and stability, fuel consumption and tyre longevity.
5. Wiper blades and windscreen wash - regular maintenance will ensure the wiper blades are fully functional at all speeds in removing rainwater from your screen when driving in wet conditions. Worn blades will impair vision and hinder safe driving conditions.
6. Brake and power steering fluids - generally checked during a service but if you have any concern with the functioning of your brakes it should be bought to the attention of a car mechanic.
7. Battery - not being able to start your car on a cold winters morning is a recipe for an unhappy start to the day!
8. Air filters -  their purpose is to prevent dirt and other particles from entering the fuel system, engine or air conditioner system.  Air filters need to be changed on occasion as dirt and debris begin to build up which, if they become clogged-up may then lead to performance issues. 
9. Drive belts -  they deliver power between different engine components. They work by means of friction between the belt and pulley. If the belt becomes loose it can affect the working of various components.
10. Rust - a car is never too young or too old to have their under "belly" treated to a coat of rustproofing wax or fluids. This is of particular importance where roads are frequently gritted through the winter months. Rustproofing protects the longevity of a car. 

This comprehensive list of maintenance checks, can either be done at a treatment centre or you can do yourself.  Ensure you act promptly when any one of the 10 tips to being safe on the roads in winter becomes a concern. Find and deal with minor problems before they become major ones costing you more or worse still, leading to a break-down on a cold and icy winters day. 

Rustproofing kits contain all the products needed to treat your specific car model and make, plus an accompanying spray diagram to assist you in getting the job done like a professional!