How to Prepare Your Car for Winter: A 2025 Cold-Weather Checklist

As temperatures drop and the days grow shorter, preparing your car for winter isn’t just a good idea — it’s essential. Cold weather, rain, and icy roads all put extra strain on your vehicle, and a few simple checks now can prevent costly repairs or dangerous breakdowns later.

At Drift Bridge Group, we’ve created this 2025 winter car checklist to help UK drivers keep their vehicles running safely and smoothly all season long.

1. Check your tyres

Your tyres are your car’s grip on the road — especially important when surfaces become wet or icy.

• Ensure tread depth is at least 3mm (the legal minimum is 1.6mm, but deeper tread improves safety).
• Check for cracks or uneven wear.
• Consider winter or all-season tyres for extra traction in snow or frost.

2. Test Your Battery

Car batteries work harder in cold weather and often fail during winter.

• If your battery is over 3 years old, have it tested.
• Clean any corrosion around the terminals.
• If your car struggles to start on cold mornings, book a battery health check at your local Drift Bridge dealership.

3. Top Up Antifreeze and Coolant

Antifreeze prevents your engine’s cooling system from freezing.

• Check levels and top up with the correct antifreeze mix for your vehicle.
• Most manufacturers recommend a 50/50 water-antifreeze blend.
• Never mix different types of antifreeze — check your handbook or ask a technician for advice.

4. Inspect Your Wipers and Washer Fluid

Visibility is crucial during darker, wetter months.

• Replace worn or streaky wiper blades.
• Fill the washer reservoir with winter-grade fluid to stop it freezing.
• Keep a spare bottle in the boot.

5. Test Your Lights

Shorter days mean your car lights work overtime.

• Check that all bulbs (headlights, indicators, brake lights, and fog lights) are working.
• Clean lenses to remove road grime or condensation.
• Consider upgrading to brighter bulbs for safer night driving.

6. Check Your Heating and Defrost Systems

Your car’s heater and demister aren’t just for comfort — they’re key to safe driving.

• Ensure your windscreen heater and rear demister work properly.
• Run the air-conditioning occasionally to prevent foggy windows and keep seals lubricated.

7. Keep an Emergency Winter Kit in Your Car

Prepare for the unexpected with a few essentials in your boot:

• Ice scraper and de-icer
• Torch and spare batteries
• Blanket, gloves, and warm clothing
• High-visibility vest
• Phone charger or power bank
• Jump leads
• First-aid kit

8. Book a Winter Health Check

A professional winter car health check ensures your vehicle is ready for the season. At Drift Bridge Group, our technicians can inspect:

• Tyres and brakes
• Battery condition
• Fluid levels
• Lights and wipers
• Heating and demisting systems

A small investment now could prevent expensive breakdowns later.

Book your Winter Car Health Check at one of our dealerships today and drive with peace of mind this season.

Book Your Winter Check