{"id":7378,"date":"2024-11-06T01:47:44","date_gmt":"2024-11-06T01:47:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/save-money-and-stay-safe-with-these-simple-tips\/"},"modified":"2024-11-06T01:47:44","modified_gmt":"2024-11-06T01:47:44","slug":"save-money-and-stay-safe-with-these-simple-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/?p=7378","title":{"rendered":"save money and stay safe with these simple tips"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\t\tLiz Hughes<\/small><\/p>\n

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\n\t\t<\/i> 3rd Nov 2024<\/small>
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\t\t\t\t\t\tReading Time:<\/span> 4<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Winter continues to drive on in earnest; the cold weather making the roads very unpredictable. Ice, wind and rain are tough on all vehicles and this is the time of year many of us want to make sure our cars are in the best possible condition to avoid any pricey breakdowns or more serious incidents. But car care doesn\u2019t come cheap.<\/p>\n

To help you reach payday with your sanity (and safety) intact, here are some winter car care tips that\u2019ll help you save money and stay safe this season.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Invest in Breakdown Cover<\/h2>\n

\"RAC\"RAC<\/p>\n

Shelling out for breakdown cover might sound counter-intuitive to saving money this January, but doing so could save you a small fortune in the long term. Breakdown firms handle tens of thousands of call-outs per month during the winter, the season sees more breakdowns than any other time of year. If you don\u2019t have breakdown cover, the cost of a roadside emergency could wind up costing you a three or four figure sum \u2014 and who needs that when you\u2019re still paying off your Christmas credit card debt?<\/p>\n

Take Care of Your Windscreen<\/h2>\n

\"Man\"Man<\/p>\n

Despite the run up to Christmas being unseasonably mild, winter is far from over \u2014 and a cold snap could be just around the corner. For drivers, a night of sub-zero temperatures could hamper the morning school run or commute, leaving you to defrost your windscreen in the freezing cold.<\/p>\n

While it can be tempting to pour hot water on a frozen windscreen to speed up the defrosting process, doing so could result in the screen cracking or shattering \u2014 leaving you to pick up the costly repair bill and find another way to get the kids to school on time.<\/p>\n

Instead, use a can of quality de-icer and a scraper, and manually remove the frost from the windscreen and door windows. Or, if this Daily Express article<\/a> is to be believed, use a mixture of water and rubbing alcohol to quickly remove the ice in a matter of seconds.<\/p>\n

Head over to Halfords for a FREE winter car check.<\/h2>\n

Each winter, Halfords provides a free five-point car check for customers. This includes inspecting your wipers, windscreen, lights, and car battery, plus sending you a helpful MOT reminder. It\u2019s a simple way to ensure your car is safe and ready for the winter months.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, you can choose their ten-point check for \u00a315 (free for Halfords members), which covers all the essentials above, along with a screenwash top-up, tyre checks, oil check, and a look at your AdBlue and coolant levels.<\/p>\n

These affordable checks are designed to catch potential issues early, preventing costly problems down the road. For instance, you might not notice a burnt-out fog light until you\u2019re driving through thick fog. Identifying these issues in advance can help keep you safe\u2014and save you money!<\/p>\n

Drive Safely and Economically<\/h2>\n

\"Man\"Man<\/p>\n

If there\u2019s one thing you can rely on during a British winter, it is unpredictable weather. Rain, hail, ice or snow \u2014 the season throws all kinds of weather our way, leading to some fairly unsettled and treacherous driving conditions.<\/p>\n

In order to get from A to B safely during a bout of horrible wintry weather, it\u2019s important to steady up and give yourself more time to reach your destination. While this might add time on to your commute, it will keep you safe \u2014 and that\u2019s not the only benefit of driving a little slower during the winter.<\/p>\n

Further to this, fuel economy experts, Redex, recommend driving smoothly without labouring the engine to achieve maximum fuel efficiency during the winter. They said: \u201cBefore an engine has warmed through, it\u2019ll burn fuel less efficiently. Engines are also more susceptible to wear and tear in the first few miles of a journey, so try not to gun it before it\u2019s had time to warm up.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Check Your Fluids Regularly<\/h2>\n

\"Man\"Man<\/p>\n

Cold temperatures can lead to the development of all kinds of symptoms beneath the bonnet, but only if you neglect to keep your car\u2019s fluid levels well topped up \u2014 specifically coolant\/antifreeze.<\/p>\n

Coolant\/antifreeze circulates through the engine to regulate its operating temperature, and without it you\u2019d almost certainly experience a breakdown. During the winter, coolant\/antifreeze will freeze in the engine if the correct ratio of antifreeze and water isn\u2019t present. To prevent your engine\u2019s coolant\/antifreeze freezing solid and ruining your engine, use a high quality product that\u2019s been tested in temperatures down to -37\u00b0C.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n