The winter weather has finally hit and with icy roads, snow, wind and flooding its essential to keep your car well maintained and stay safe on the roads this winter.
- Make sure that your BMW has had an annual Winter Health Check done at Dick Lovett BMW. This includes checks of your: Electrical system (battery, ignition and lights), Brakes, Tyres, Exhaust, Wipers & Fluids (radiator, antifreeze, heating, cooling system) £39.95. To book your Winter Check, please speak to the Service Department.
- Be sure to check your tyre tread depth and replace your tyres when they reach the legal limit of 1.6mm. If you're unsure of how to do this then pop into our BMW Centres.
- Consider purchasing winter wheels and tyres.
- Make sure that your windows and mirrors clean and clear of ice and snow to ensure full visibility in the low winter sun.
- Check your lights regularly so you are fully prepared for lower visibility and shorter days.
- Make sure that your windscreen washer is topped up with the correct concentration of cleaner fluid to prevent freezing.
- Ensure your wiper blades are in good condition, if they leave streaks they require replacing so please ask to speak to our Parts Departments.
Winter tyres
Winter tyres have tread that is specifically designed to go through snow and not slip. They’re meant to provide traction even in the slipperiest of conditions, which is helpful at any speed. But temperature also plays a factor. For more information on Winter Tyres, please speak to the Parts Department.
Before your journey
Consider if it is really necessary to travel and also pack provisions before leaving if there's a chance severe weather could disrupt your journey or cause a breakdown.
We recommend warm clothes, a blanket, a fully charged mobile phone, some food and water.
Driving in the rain
When it is raining, allow yourself extra time to stop. Traction control is incredibly helpful while moving along if the rear wheels start to slip and the tail starts to slide, traction control will kick in.
Consider applying window sealants such as Rain-X to allow the water to bead off the glass, improving visability.
Driving through ice and snow
Before you begin your journey, make sure that your roof and windscreen is clear of snow. Snow can slip down and obscure your vision.
It also helps to know how to get out of snow. If the car is stuck and the tyres keep spinning, turning the traction control off helps.
Driving in windy weather
During windy weather, it is incredibly easy for cyclists, motorists or lorries to lose their course so take extra care when driving during windy weather.
Take note of any delay caused by toppled down tree's or lorry incidents as these could take hours to clear!
Drive safely
And last but not least, look out for other drivers and drive cautiously, looking out for any potential hazard(s).
It doesn’t matter how skilled you are in the snow, because you will be on the road with many other drivers who’s skill levels vary.
BMW Emergency Service
Don’t forget should the unexpected happen over the Christmas period you can call BMW Emergency Service on 0800 777 111.
Book a winter health check or find out more about winter tyres
