Preparing your Figaro for the Winter

10 Winter Tips

Tyres

Know the correct tyre pressures for your car and check them at least fortnightly using a good-quality gauge or garage air line. Don’t forget the spare!

Toolkit

Know the correct tyre pressures for your car and check them at least fortnightly using a good-quality gauge or garage air line. Don’t forget the spare!

Engine Oil

Check the dipstick at least every fortnight and before any long journey. High oil consumption can indicate engine problems.

Water

Check the coolant level regularly and top up as necessary – but only when the engine is cold. Antifreeze not only prevents the coolant from freezing but also prevents the build–up of corrosion within the cooling system and so is important all year round.

Wiper Blades

Wiper blades wear down over time and smear the windscreen if they become worn. Replace them at least once a year for best performance

Screenwash

Check and top up regularly – it's a legal requirement that the system works.

Windscreen

Inspect the screen regularly for stone damage and always replace or repair a cracked or chipped screen as soon as possible.

Lights

Check all lights weekly. Don't forget indicators, brake and fog lights. Clean lights regularly

Power Steering

Ensure that the fluid reservoir is checked at every service and check it yourself once a month.

Bodywork

Deal promptly with damage to bodywork to prevent rust setting in.

Tyres

The minimum legal tread depth in Ireland is 1.6 mm, measured across three quarters of the road contact surface of the tyre. This effectively is the depth of tread that allows the water to disperse away as the wheel drives over a film of water. Ensure you have enough tread!

Check your Tyre Pressures

Tyre Size

165/70R12

155SR12

Tyre Pressure

2.2

2.0

Note

Standard Vehicles

Vehicles for Cold District

Battery

If a battery is in any way weak at all, Winter is generally the time that this will show up as a fault. Winter driving demands more from batteries as the extra loads of heating, rear screen demisters, lights on in both the mornings and the evenings all take their heavy toll.

You should ensure at the very least that the connections on the top of the battery are clean, damage free, secure and free of corrosion. Where there is corrosion build up, this often manifests itself as white ‘furring’ around the terminals and should be cleaned off with warm water and sealed with petroleum jelly (not grease!). Be careful not to let any corrosive substances come in contact with your skin.

Lighting

Motorists are legally obliged to ensure that all the vehicle lights are in good working order at all times, but this becomes more significant from a safety point of view in darkening Winter conditions. Ensure that all bulbs are examined and found to be working including those number plate bulbs, and make sure also that the headlights are aligned properly.

General

A general check under the bonnet for any signs of wear and tear is advised. Keep an eye out for any damaged or worn belts or hoses and any signs of fluid leakage. If you are in any doubt at all, have your car examined properly by a qualified technician. Remember, never open the bonnet with the engine running, as there are serious dangers including moving pulleys, high voltage electricity, and extremely hot components!