Make Sure to Remove Any Leftover Salt

This can affect certain people compared to others, simply due to the sporadic weather that we get here in the UK. In harsh weather conditions, such as snow and ice, salt is used on the road to melt it, but this can cause serious damage to vehicles if left untreated. The salt can get into the undercarriage and promote rusting.

Because of this, make sure to properly wash the entire vehicle, including the undercarriage.

Double Check the Suspension!

Potholes can be a popular site through the winter; they arise from the expansion, contraction, freezing, and thawing of water under the road. When water freezes, it expands, which causes the road to crack and result in potholes.

The number of potholes you might see during the spring season could be quite a lot, so make sure to avoid them, as they can damage your vehicle quite significantly. If you have accidentally driven over a pothole, you need to check your vehicle’s alignment and suspension.

Make Sure the Tyres are Fixed

The tyres are one of the most important parts of any vehicle, as they help to ensure the safety of you and your vehicle whilst driving. Therefore, it is important to check the pressure of your tyres, as well as the spare one.

The reason it’s important to check the pressure is because the cold weather during winter can cause the pressure within the tyres to decrease, which can be a hazard while on the road. It’s also important to check the tread of the tyre; the tread is responsible for ensuring the handling of the vehicle is as effective as possible.

Potholes and other obstacles that could occur during winter can damage the tread, meaning that handling issues could occur. As such, it is vital to double check all the tyres and replace them if necessary.

Inspect the Brakes

If you talk to any driver about what you should keep an eye on the most, they will most likely say the brakes. Brakes that work properly help to ensure the safety of everyone that is within the vehicle, as well as the general public.

If salt gets into the tyres, this can affect the brakes and cause them to rust, making them less effective, which is something you don’t want. With this in mind, you need to properly inspect the brake system within your vehicle so that it is ready for spring.

Once you have taken these steps in maintaining your vehicle, then it will be ready to tackle the roads for the next season. We at CWS 4×4 want to make sure that the drivers on the roads are as safe as possible, which is why we provide spare parts for people who have 4x4s, as they are one type of vehicle that is more likely to experience problems during winter.

If you want to know more, then contact us today; we will be more than happy to help.

Flat or Faulty Battery

If you have a problem with your battery, it could be a number of different things. It could be due to lack of use, only being used to make short journeys or a poor electrical connection. When it comes to the winter months, battery faults are the most common cause of breakdowns. Always check, if your vehicle is being serviced, that the connections are secure, that the terminals are clean and there is no corrosion.

Damaged Wheels

Damaged wheels are generally due to uneven tyres, worn down tyre tread or the misalignment of tyres. When maintaining your car tyres, make sure that your tyres’ tread depth is regularly checked. If you have a spare tyre, always make sure that it has plenty of tread and it is fully inflated. If you are driving with heavy loads, make sure that you adjust your tyre pressure to cope with the additional change in weight. 

Engine Problems

There is a whole array of items that could cause engine problems. One of which could be the spark plugs; spark plugs can break or wear out after a long period of time, but as long as your car is regularly serviced, then there should be no problems.

As well as this, the leads that connect the battery to the spark plugs, known as high tension or HT leads, can actually deteriorate over time, which can make it quite difficult to start your vehicle. Regularly servicing should avoid these problems but it’s best to check at your local garage to investigate the ignition system as well. 

An easy way to make sure that your vehicle is properly maintained is to get the spare parts yourself and, if you have the technical know-how, service the easier parts yourself.

Luckily, at CWS 4×4, we are able to provide spare parts for a plethora of 4x4s, from Land Rovers to Range Rovers. If you’d like to know more information, then get in touch today on 01458 834930 and we will be more than happy to help with any enquiries you may have.

The transmission of your car is a complex mechanical system that controls the power from the engine to the gearbox. It starts to wear over time, mainly because of the interaction between the many moving parts of the car. Knowing if your transmission needs to be fixed might not be a straightforward answer, but you may want to stay alert to some of these clues:

Problems With Shifting Gears

When you’re trying to shift gears you may have run into the same problem a few times. Either it takes a while for the car to finally shift gears or it doesn’t change at all, which definitely means there’s something wrong. If the gear you chose slips into another one for no apparent reason, the problem may lie with the gearbox itself, although it can be a symptom with the transmission, so it needs to be checked out.

If you happen to get the scent of burning transmission fluid, the transmission is overheating for some reason, which is another problem that needs immediate attention.

Grinding

If you hear noises that sound like something grinding, the gears or the transmission might be at fault. The car should run smoothly without any shaking or grinding, but if you’re having issues every time you shift gears, it could be a clue to a bigger problem. The clutch might need to be fixed but, in general, if there’s a grinding noise when you change gears, the issue might be related to the transmission.

Fluid Leak

If you see fluid on the ground after you park the car, whether it’s a clear or cloudy liquid, you’ll want to get professionals to check out the car. The transmission is a sealed system, so there shouldn’t be any leaks. If there are, take a look at the colour. Transmission fluid tends to be red or dark brown, so check to see if that’s what you’re finding under the car.

Problems with the transmission can be fixed if caught in time, so don’t hesitate to get your car into a repair shop as soon as you find it. If you have questions about this issue, or about what we do, feel free to send us a message or call us on 01458 834 930.