Prepare your car for the cold months ahead
If you haven’t checked your car for a while, the clocks going back is the perfect time to give it the once-over. A spell of cold weather will soon expose a car battery that is on its last legs. Car batteries start fading at five to seven years old and, if yours is struggling to start the car, you will need to get it checked and likely replaced. The AA says battery faults are the most common cause of breakdowns – especially in the winter.
If you have a friend with a multimeter (a device that can measure voltage, current and resistance), check it is reading close to 12.6 volts with the engine off. Much below that and you will need a new one. Kwik Fit offers a free battery check – you are under no obligation to buy a new one from it.
Your local motor parts supplier will probably have one in stock. Alternatively, Guardian Money recommends the online battery seller Tayna, which will deliver the next day and has some of the cheapest prices on the market. The website will tell you which battery you need – we would always opt for the mid-priced option. Fitting at home is straightforward, provided you have the right spanner. It has a fitting service if you don’t.
While you are waiting for the new battery to arrive, Sam Sheehan at the car buying and selling site Cinch recommends firing up the ignition in five-second bursts, waiting 30 seconds between tries, to keep you on the move.
Once the car is starting nicely again, you will want to check the coolant has the correct fluid and is topped up to the right level. Modern (orange) antifreeze typically needs to be changed every five years or longer. A decent independent garage will tell you when yours was last changed.
Make sure the tyre pressures are correct, too.
Next up, you will want to make sure the windscreen cleaning reservoir is full of the right fluid, and check the wipers are cleaning the screen properly, and replace if not. Again, don’t go to the dealer; head to your local car parts store instead, where you may well pay half the dealer price.
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Last, if you live in an area where heavy snow is likely and you travel in all weathers, bung a sleeping bag, shovel, candles and lighter, plus a few nonperishable snacks, in the boot. If the worst happens, you won’t freeze or be hungry.
How to keep riding comfortably and safely
Armed with the right clothing, some decent lights and some warm gloves, there is no reason not to carry on cycling through the winter months.
A hi-vis waterproof jacket is highly recommended but you don’t need to spend a fortune. At the time of writing, if you can run to about £65, Tredz was selling a Guardian Money best-buy, the Altura Nightvision Storm jacket, in men’s and women’s sizes. It has lots of pockets and good vents, making it a solid commuter choice.
Failing that, try the Hump Strobe waterproof jacket, which comes in a range of hi-vis colours and costs about £40 on eBay and elsewhere. Decathlon has a nice softshell one for the same price, and a good starter yellow jacket for under £30. Merlin Cycles is not alone in selling off jackets, with some starting at only £16.
For waterproof trousers, Decathlon has some clever £20 ones that come complete with built-in overshoes and get great reviews. And eBay has non-cyling hi-vis and other waterproof trousers for about £11, which are perfectly good for a short commute.
You will also need a decent pair of gloves. Cycle shops will tell you that you need to spend £60 or more on a decent pair but that’s nonsense. A £5.25 pair of Thinsulate fleece gloves are really warm, and will resist a 30-minute ride in the rain before the water leaks in. They dry out in a matter of hours, and if you lose one, they are cheap to replace.
Don’t forget your lights. Once again, cheap doesn’t have to mean poor quality. You can pick up decent rechargeable LED rear lights for less than £5 on eBay. For front lights, we do suggest a branded one: the Lezyne Hecto Drive 500XL is a great USB-rechargeable front light for £27 at various retailers, including Evans. As a light, it is no better than the £25 CatEye equivalent, except that it is quicker and easier to take off the bike when you park up.
