Melbourne winters may not bring snow to the suburbs, but cold mornings, heavy rain, and foggy conditions create their own set of challenges for drivers. A little preparation goes a long way.
Check Your Tyres
Wet roads mean longer stopping distances. Ensure your tyres have adequate tread depth — the legal minimum is 1.5mm, but for wet weather safety we recommend at least 3mm. Check pressures regularly as cold weather can cause them to drop.
Test Your Lights
With shorter days and morning fog, your lights are more important than ever. Walk around your car and check every light works — headlights (low and high beam), tail lights, brake lights, indicators, and fog lights. Replace any blown globes immediately.
Replace Your Wiper Blades
If your wipers are streaking or chattering, replace them before the rain sets in. Good visibility is critical in winter. Also top up your windscreen washer fluid — you will use more of it.
Battery Health
Cold mornings make your engine harder to turn over, putting extra strain on the battery. If your car is sluggish to start on cold mornings, get the battery tested before it leaves you stranded.
Demisting
Know how to quickly demist your windscreen. Use your air conditioning (even in winter) directed at the windscreen, and crack a window slightly to equalise humidity. Driving with a fogged-up windscreen is both dangerous and illegal.
Brake Check
Wet brakes are less effective. If your brakes squeal, grind, or feel spongy, get them inspected before winter sets in. Worn brakes on wet roads is a dangerous combination.
Keep Your Fuel Tank Above Quarter
Running on fumes in winter increases the risk of condensation forming in the fuel tank. Keep it above a quarter tank, especially if your car sits for days between drives.
Get your car winter-ready with a seasonal check-up at Heatherdale Automotive.