Good winter car maintenance prevents most cold-morning surprises. Winters in Denizli are colder than on the coast: temperatures can drop below zero at night and in the early morning, and trips to higher ground can mean snow and ice. Cold weather has a habit of exposing a car’s weak points at the worst possible moment. This list covers what to check before winter sets in.
Antifreeze
Antifreeze stops the coolant from freezing and also protects the engine from corrosion. Check not just the level but how low a temperature the mixture protects against — a simple tester will tell you. Topping up with plain water dilutes the mixture and reduces frost protection. Your handbook lists the right type of coolant for your car; mixing different types isn’t recommended.
Battery
In the cold, a battery can deliver less power just as the starter motor needs more. An ageing battery that coped all summer may fail on the first frosty morning. An engine that turns over more slowly than usual is the first warning sign. A quick battery test before winter tells you whether it needs replacing. Check the terminals for corrosion and looseness too.
Tyres
Winter tyres use compounds that stay soft in the cold and tread patterns designed for snow and ice, giving better grip at low temperatures. Tyre manufacturers generally say winter tyres become the better choice once temperatures fall below around 7°C. In Türkiye, winter tyres are compulsory for commercial vehicles but only recommended for private cars — keep an eye on the current regulations.
Whatever tyres you use, check tread depth and pressure. Tyre pressure drops as the air gets colder, so check it more often in winter.
Wipers and screenwash
On wet, muddy roads, visibility depends on your wiper blades. Replace any that smear or squeak before winter. Fill the washer reservoir with a winter screenwash — plain water can freeze, blocking the jets and even damaging the reservoir.
Lights
Days are short in winter and headlights are on for longer. Check that all headlights, indicators, brake and fog lights work. Cloudy headlight lenses reduce light output, and correctly aimed headlights matter both for your view and for oncoming drivers.
Brakes, oil and general servicing
If a service is nearly due, it makes sense to have it done before winter. Brake pads, discs and brake fluid matter even more on slippery roads. Fresh oil and filters help protect the engine on cold starts. See what a service includes on our scheduled maintenance page.
Bodywork and paint
Road salt and slush can speed up corrosion, especially underneath the car and along the sills. Touching up stone chips and any scratches that expose bare metal, adding a layer of paint protection before winter, and keeping up underbody washes through the cold months will leave your car in better shape come spring. For more, read how to protect your car’s paint.
Worth keeping in the car
- An ice scraper and small brush
- Jump leads
- A torch and spare batteries
- A blanket, gloves and water
- A phone charging cable
- Snow chains, depending on your route
Quick checklist
- Coolant level and frost protection
- Battery test and terminals
- Tread depth, pressures and winter tyres
- Wiper blades and winter screenwash
- All lights and headlight aim
- Brakes and service schedule
- Stone chips and paint protection
If you’d like us to go through these checks with you, call us on 0531 474 19 90.
