Care for Your Car this Winter with our Custom Car Products

Winter is upon us and it's a time of year that all drivers dread. Decreasing temperatures, wind, rain, snow- the number of breakdowns can more than double throughout winter months! According to research from Continental Tyres, there are almost 7,000 more car accidents on UK roads in winter than there are in summer.

But have no fear, you can prepare your car for winter in a few simple steps and with our custom car products.

Don’t’s:

Don’t leave your car unattended As tempting as it is to leave your car running to warm it up if you leave the key in the ignition and unattended this makes your car an easy target for opportunistic thieves. According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), 47% of motorists admitted to leaving their car unattended on frosty mornings to warm it up. Few insurers will pay out if you haven’t taken reasonable care to prevent your car from being stolen.

Don’t use hot water on your windscreen Don’t do it. It may seem like a good idea, but it's actually dangerous. The sudden change in temperature could cause it to crack and many insurance policies include extra cover for windscreen damage but you may still have to pay an excess. We have a wide range of branded ice scrappers that make the perfect solution. The best way to de-ice your windscreen is with a scraper and spray de-icer. Invest in a proper scraper and don’t be tempted to improvise — using other items like credit cards can scratch the windscreen.

Don’t ignore warnings In severe weather, the Met Office often issues warnings and sometimes advises against driving unless absolutely necessary. If there’s a severe weather warning, consider whether your trip is necessary, and make sure you listen out for weather and traffic reports before setting out. Although contrary to rumours you may have seen on social media, your insurance is not automatically deemed void if you drive while a weather warning is in place. Check out our branded Autocare category for your motoring essentials. 

Do’s:

Give your car a health check The cold weather can wreak havoc on your car. Many garages or retailers offer a winter health check to ensure your car’s in a good condition to face the cold — or you can carry out the checks yourself. Make sure you’ve got a suitable coolant or a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze in your radiator, your battery is in a good condition, you’ve got the correct tyre tread depth and pressure, and your car’s oil and water are topped up.

Make sure you’ve got breakdown cover Even if you maintain your car properly, there’s still an increased chance of breaking down in cold weather. Battery problems are the most common cause of breakdowns, and they are more likely to fail when the temperature is low. Make sure you’ve got adequate breakdown cover and you won’t be faced with a lengthy and costly emergency call-out process.

Be prepared If you did break down, what would you do if you were in a remote area and your mobile phone battery was dead? It may seem an unlikely situation, but as the weather worsens the risk increases. Pack a small cold weather emergency kit in your car, including essentials like a torch, shovel, blanket, and spare mobile phone/charger, and ensure you’re not left out in the cold. Make your battery is always fully charged with our branded car chargers. 

Keep yourself and your employees warm this winter whilst promoting your brand with our custom car tools, perfect for your winter marketing campaign!