5 Great Ways to Prepare Your Car For Winter
The colder months are coming, but how do you prepare your car for winter? If you’ve ever stood shivering on the hard shoulder of the M6 waiting for a recovery truck, you’ll know just how unforgiving a British winter can be. Between frosty mornings, rain that never seems to stop, and the odd burst of snow, your car takes a real beating this time of year.
The good news? A little bit of preparation now can save you money, prevent breakdowns, and keep you and your family safe on the road. At Thompson Automotive in Wigan, we help drivers get ready for winter every year — here are the five checks we always recommend before the cold really sets in.
How to Prepare Your Car For Winter
1. Give Your Tyres Some Attention
Think of tyres as your car’s winter boots. Without good grip, stopping distances shoot up, especially on icy or wet roads.
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Tread depth: Legally, you need at least 1.6mm, but in winter, we recommend no less than 3mm as it is much safer and maintains a good stopping distance for your car.
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Pressure: Colder weather makes tyre pressure drop — check it monthly, maybe even weekly if we have gone through a particularly cold spell.
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Condition: Look for cracks, bulges, or nails (a slow puncture is the last thing you want on a freezing morning).
If you’re unsure, drop by our Wigan garage. We’ll check your tyres, repair where possible, or fit replacements. You can read more about our Repairs & Servicing.
2. Test That Battery
Flat batteries are one of the biggest causes of winter breakdowns in the UK. Imagine dashing out for the school run only to find your car won’t even start. It's not an ideal way to start the day, and it adds extra stress when you need to think about getting the kids to school or getting to the office.
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If your battery’s more than 3–4 years old, get it tested.
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Check for corrosion around the terminals.
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If your headlights dim when you switch the heater on, your battery could be struggling.
We can test and replace batteries quickly, so you’re not left stranded.
3. Top Up Your Fluids
Cold weather makes your engine and systems work harder, so it pays to keep everything topped up.
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Antifreeze: Stops your engine from freezing and prevents serious damage.
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Screenwash: Use a winter-grade one that won’t freeze. You can purchase winter-ready screen washes or, if you are diluting your own, check the instructions on the back of the bottle.
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Oil: The right viscosity helps your car start smoothly in the cold. If you haven't had your oil changed in a while, your engine may struggle to start, we would recommend checking when your last service was.
When you book a winter service with Thompson Automotive, we’ll check and top up all fluids. See our service options here.
4. Don’t Forget Your Lights and Wipers
With darker evenings and grim weather, visibility is everything. It's hard enough driving in the dark, however, trying to see past streaks of lines is not going to help us with our night-time driving.
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Replace wipers that leave streaks.
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Check every light works — side lights, headlamps, brake lights, fog lamps, indicators and hazards. When the weather gets bad these will help you spot other road users and them to spot you.
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Keep lenses clean (salt and dirt from the roads build up quickly) - wiping these down once a week will make a big difference.
If you’re unsure, pop by and we’ll do a quick bulb or wiper change. It’s a small fix that makes a big difference.
5. Pack a Winter Emergency Kit
Even if you’ve ticked off all the checks above, it’s smart to be prepared for the unexpected. A breakdown in summer is annoying; in winter, it can be dangerous.
Keep these in your boot:
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Ice scraper and de-icer
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Blanket and spare gloves
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Torch and spare batteries
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Warning triangle and hi-viz vest
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Phone charger (and keep our number saved for recovery!)
At Thompson Automotive, our 24/7 Recovery Service covers Wigan and the North West — so if the worst happens, we’re just a call away. Learn more here.
Why Bother With a Winter Check?
Because it’s not just about convenience — it’s about safety. The RAC estimates that more than 50,000 UK drivers break down on the first icy day each winter. And most of those callouts could have been avoided with some simple checks.
That’s why we offer Winter Health Checks at Thompson Automotive. We’ll help you prepare your car for winter by handling tyres, batteries, fluids, lights, and even put together a recovery plan with you. For peace of mind before the frost really bites, give us a call or book online today.
Helpful Resources
Would you like to do some further reading on how to prepare your car for winter? We recommend looking into the two links below for more information.
What Now?
Winter driving in Wigan (or anywhere in the UK) doesn’t have to be stressful. By giving your tyres, battery, fluids, and lights a once-over — and keeping an emergency kit in the car — you’ll be well prepared for whatever the season throws at you.
At Thompson Automotive, we’re here to make that prep as easy as possible. Whether you need a full winter service, emergency repairs, or round-the-clock recovery, our team has you covered.
Ready to get winter-ready? Book your winter check today.
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