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The autumn is upon us and it will be winter in no time. This is a challenging time of year for vehicle owners as the issues you’ve not had crop up all summer with your car start to emerge with the damp and cold weather.

It could be a little damp messing with your cars electrics, or a condensation and damp problem leading to mould and terrible smells inside your vehicle.

Not to mention the impact that aggressive salting of roads can have on the overall condition of alloy wheels, your cars suspension, running gear and undercarriage.

Preparing yourself can be as simple as being aware of the issues so you can tackle the causes before they turn into costly damage and repairs.

Due to the ongoing Pandemic your car may not have been out on the road much over the last few months, so there’s also a risk through lack of use your car doesn’t get the frequent battery charge top ups, air flow, axle rotations and general use to keep it limber.

Dealing with Stale & Damp Interiors

It’s common for air to go stale inside your vehicle, and it’s not a bad idea to occasionally get the cabin temperature up inside the vehicle to above 25 Degrees for at least 30 minutes. You can do this by simply running the car with the heaters on, but this can be quite wasteful – or if used with extreme car and a little ventilation and small electric heater could also be used to get the car’s temperature.

Something as simple as a little windscreen heater may be sufficient to get the temperature of your car up – but a mains powered electric heater will get the job done more quickly.

You’ll want to monitor temperature with a simple room thermometer or garden thermometer so that it doesn’t get too hot – or doesn’t heat up quite enough to stave off the cold damp air.

If you’re not using the car at all, or very infrequently this is something you could do every couple of weekends to keep things fresh.

Dealing with low power in your Car Battery

If you’re wondering how to check your car battery, we previously published an article taking you through the steps – you can read it here.

Beyond checking the battery, you should consider topping up the charge in your battery every now and then. Cold damp weather can hit batteries really hard and reduce their charge carrying capacity permanently if the combination of low power and cold weather take hold. A simple car battery charger, sized for your battery should be used. Smaller battery chargers, even if 12v will sometimes struggle to make much of an impact when charging large capacity batteries – no matter how long they’re charging for.

Dealing with pests!

We recently wrote an article about getting rid of moths in your car. It’s likely that some pests like spiders, moths and other insects could take sanctuary in your car during long periods of being unused. The winter is especially a time when these pests are looking for a place to hide out. So be vigilant, don’t welcome these unwanted guests into your vehicle and make sure you keep a close eye out for the signs of moths and other insects.

FAQs

How do I keep pests out of my car?

Regularly clean your car’s interior, especially food and drink spills. Never leave food or garbage inside your car. Inspect your car for any openings or gaps that pests can use to enter. Pay attention to areas around doors, windows, and vents. Use weatherstripping or sealant to close any gaps, ensuring a tight seal. When parking your car, make sure all windows and doors are securely closed to prevent pests from entering. Place pest deterrents in and around your car.

How do I keep the inside of my car dry in the winter?

When entering your car with snow or ice on your shoes or clothing, take the time to shake and wipe off as much snow as possible and remove any wet items before getting in. Invest in high-quality, all-weather floor mats or rubberised mats to trap and contain moisture from snow, slush, and melted ice. Regularly clean and dry the mats to prevent water from seeping into the carpet. When possible, crack open the windows slightly to allow fresh air circulation. This helps prevent condensation and keeps the interior drier. Avoid leaving wet umbrellas, damp clothing, or wet items inside the vehicle. If necessary, use plastic bags or containers to contain wet items. If possible, park your car in a covered or enclosed area like a garage.