Getting your lease car ready for Winter.

Winter is coming - preparing your lease car. 

We all need an extra bit of TLC when it comes to the colder months – the heating goes on and the Winter coats come out, and we all like to have a good moan about how dark it is. If your lease car could moan about the cold, it probably would too. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to get your vehicle ready to brave the lovely British weather, so it stays happy and in the best condition.

Is your lease car due a service?

One of the best things you can do for your lease car is to keep up with its service, and this is even easier if you opted for a maintenance pack with your lease deal. Before the temperature drops right down, it’s a good idea to get a service if you’re due one. There’s nothing worse than breaking down and being stranded in the Winter, so catch any issues before they catch you off guard. A basic service will check areas such as your tyres, lights, oil, and coolant levels, and will really help towards the maintenance of your car.

It’s important to always keep your coolant levels up, but especially so in the chilly months. Keeping your coolant levels topped up will ensure your engine temperature is always regulated, so your poor lease car won’t get stung by the cold. If you’re not due a service and can’t squeeze one in before Winter, it’s still a good idea to get your coolant levels checked out and advice from a professional on how to top this up if needed. Your car manual will have details on what your specific car needs, so always check this first.

Pack up some cold weather essentials in your lease car.

If you do have a hiccup on the road and get stranded out in the cold, you really want to be prepared. Having a few essentials in your lease car ahead of time is a good way to make these scenarios run much smoother, so having a survival kit on hand is a great idea.

We recommend you pack a torch, spare bulbs, jump leads, and a first aid kit in your car, as these items can help solve a lot of minor issues or tide you over until help arrives. A high-visibility vest or coat, and a vehicle breakdown warning triangle are also helpful to keep you safe in the dark. We also recommend adding an extra coat or blanket in your car – it can get really cold out there!

Wrap your car up nice and warm, too!

Waking up in the morning and having to rid layers of ice and snow off your car can be an absolute pain, especially if you’ve got an early commute. A good item to have on hand to completely get rid of this stress is a simple car cover. They’re inexpensive and readily available, and will do a brilliant job of preventing snow, ice, dust, and grime from building up on your car if you leave it outside overnight. Plus, you’ll feel less guilty about abandoning it for your warm, cosy house – poor lease car.

Keep an eye on your tyres.

If you’re having your car serviced, any immediate issues with your tyres will be spotted and you can handle them, but it’s still important to keep an eye on them throughout the Winter. Cold weather really takes it out on your tyres and can lead to faster deflation times and low pressure, so we recommend regularly checking them to make sure they’re in safe condition. You’ll also need to keep an eye on your tyre tread too, as the legal tyre tread depth requirement is 1.6mm in the UK, to ensure that you’ll keep a good grip on the road in the ice and snow. Your recommended tyre pressure and other details will usually be written in your car owner’s manual, and you can always seek help from a pro if you’re unsure.

A romantic Winter bath for your lease car.

We get it, you love your lease car, and we do too. A romantic Winter clean is the best way to show your lease vehicle you care and keep its finish in top condition. Salt and grit on the roads in the colder months can wreak havoc on your paint work, as well as snow and sludge that seems to get absolutely everywhere. To ensure you enter the Spring with your car still looking shiny and new, regular washing is definitely recommended. You can pick up some really great products for Winter cleaning specifically, but keeping up with your preferred washing method will almost certainly do the trick.

Go into the Spring with a happy lease car.

Offer your lease car a little bit of extra love and care during the chillier season and it will be sure to return the favour – coming out of the cold months looking shiny, fresh, and in brilliant condition. We always recommend you consult a professional before topping up your car coolant or carrying out any maintenance, and it’s best to get this work completed at an official manufacturer’s garage. If you did add a maintenance pack to your lease deal, remember that lots of upkeep is included, and you’ll still have a manufacturer’s warranty with your lease deal as standard.