Prepare Your Car for Winter: 7 Checks to Avoid Sudden Faults

Winter in Saudi Arabia is not as harsh as summer, but it reveals faults caused by summer heat: a battery weakened by the heat that fails on the first cold morning, wipers cracked by the sun that do not clear rain, and tyres whose pressure has dropped as the weather cools. Simple maintenance before winter helps you avoid most of these surprises, especially in cold areas such as the north, Tabuk, Qassim and the highlands.

Prepare your car for winter:

Choose your car from spare parts and order the battery, wipers and filters in one order, with delivery within 2 to 4 business days.

1. Battery: winter's first victim

Summer heat is what actually weakens a battery because it speeds up fluid evaporation and internal corrosion. But the fault appears in winter because cold weather reduces the battery's ability to supply current, while a cold engine needs more current to start. The result is that a car that started normally in summer struggles on the first cold morning.

Signs: The starter turns slowly, the lights dim during starting, or it takes more than one attempt. What to do: Check the battery before winter, especially if it is more than two years old, and clean corrosion from its terminals. If you have confirmed the problem is not the battery, read alternator fault symptoms and symptoms of a faulty starter motor.

2. Wipers and washer fluid

Summer sun cracks the wiper rubber, so in the first rain they streak the windscreen instead of cleaning it. This is a real hazard when visibility is poor. Replace the wiper rubbers before the rainy season, fill the washer reservoir with dedicated fluid, and make sure the jets are not blocked.

3. Tyres: pressure drops in cold weather

As temperatures fall, air pressure inside tyres drops naturally. An underinflated tyre reduces grip on wet roads, increases fuel consumption and wears the tyre at the edges. Check the pressure weekly in the morning when the tyres are cold, and set it according to the number written on the door pillar. Also check tread depth, because a worn tyre is very dangerous in rain. Read tyre balancing and when you need it.

4. Brakes and wet roads

Stopping distances increase on wet roads, so any weakness in the brakes becomes more dangerous in winter. Check the thickness of the brake pads, as well as the level and colour of the brake fluid. Read signs of worn brake fluid and browse brakes and brake pads.

5. Lighting

Winter brings longer nights, and sometimes fog and rain. Check the front and rear lights and indicators, and clean dusty or yellowed headlights because they significantly reduce illumination. Browse headlights and lighting.

6. Radiator coolant and cold starting

Radiator coolant is not only for summer. The right fluid protects the engine from corrosion all year round, and in very cold areas it protects against freezing. Make sure the coolant meets the correct specification and is at the required level. If your car is slow to start when cold, check the battery, spark plugs and fuel pump before anything else.

7. Heater and air-conditioning filter

The heater relies on heat from the engine coolant, so if it is weak, the cause may be low radiator coolant or a thermostat stuck open. The air-conditioning filter also serves the heater, so if it is clogged, hot airflow is reduced. Replace the air-conditioning filter before winter, especially if it has worked hard all summer. Read signs of a faulty air-conditioning filter.

Quick list: prepare your car for winter in one order

• A new battery (if it is more than two years old or weak)
• Front and rear wiper rubbers
• Air-conditioning filter
• Brake pads (if they are thin)
• Headlight and indicator bulbs

Choose your model from your make page, such as Toyota, Hyundai, Kia or Nissan, and order all the parts at once to save on delivery. Instalment payments are available through Tabby and Tamara.

Frequently asked questions

Why does the battery fail in winter?

Summer heat weakens the battery, while winter cold reduces its ability to supply current, so the weakness appears on the first cold morning.

How often should I replace the wiper rubbers?

Usually about once a year in Saudi Arabia, because the sun cracks the rubber. Replace them as soon as you notice streaking on the windscreen.

Does tyre pressure change in winter?

Yes, it drops in cold weather. Check it weekly when the tyres are cold.

Why is the heater weak?

It is usually caused by low radiator coolant, a stuck thermostat or a clogged air-conditioning filter.