Whilst the thought of maintaining your vehicle during potentially freezing temperatures can feel daunting, Halfords are always on hand! To help you prepare your car for winter, we’ve put together a list of 5 essential fluids that will keep your car running when temperatures have dropped, giving you the confidence to keep going. Essential fluids for your car In addition to the icy weather, British winters also bring a great amount of rain! Rain-X is a valuable product which applies a repellent barrier to your windscreen to help improve visibility during wet conditions. Antifreeze comes in concentrated form which must be diluted with water and a ready mixed form. Knowing which antifreeze to use will be dependent on the make and model of your vehicle. More modern cars made after 1998 require antifreeze with silicate-free, organic acid technology (OAT). Pre-icer spray - When sprayed onto car windows the night before a frost, the pre-icer formula prevents ice from adhering to the glass. This makes it much easier to remove in the morning.

De-icer spray - Made with a blend of chemicals, de-icer is available as a liquid spray and an aerosol spray. Both types lower the freezing point of the ice formed on the windscreen to start the melting process and loosen the adhesion between the ice and the glass to make it easy to scrape away. Using homemade de-icers may seem like a cost-effective and convenient solution for clearing ice and snow, but it's important to understand the potential risks associated with their use: Sitting at great value for money, this aerosol de-icer from CarPlan is a great way to dissolve ice from your windscreen without spending too much. Don’t miss out! Join the Halfords Motoring Club today to access a range of amazing benefits and discounts that are designed to keep you moving, keep you safe and keep you saving. Use a spray bottle or watering can to apply the de-icer evenly onto the icy or snow-covered surface;

To combat the cold weather’s harsh effects on your engine, use a petrol or diesel cleaner such as Wynns Total Action Petrol Cleaner or Diesel Cleaner. These additives are developed to keep your vehicle’s injectors and fuel system clean. They will also help to restore engine performance, as well as reduce exhaust emissions and fuel consumption. These seasonal automotive products are used to maintain a vehicle's performance during any weather. Antifreeze and engine coolant are liquid additions made to engine components. Antifreeze must be diluted with water before use, but both are added to a reservoir to feed the car's cooling system and prevent the water from freezing and overheating in variable weather conditions.

Safety risks: Homemade de-icers may not effectively melt ice, leading to unsafe and hazardous conditions. Insufficient ice melting can result in slippery surfaces, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries for pedestrians and vehicles alike. It's crucial to prioritize safety and choose a reliable and properly formulated de-icer to ensure the removal of ice and the reduction of potential risks. Park facing east: The Sun rises in the east and sets in the west. If your windshield is facing the Sun as it rises, there's a chance that any ice formed in the night will melt before you wake up in the morning; Learning how to make homemade de-icers can be a useful skill during the winter months. It provides an affordable solution and allows you to take control of your ice removal needs. However, it's important to keep in mind that homemade de-icers may not always provide consistent results and could require frequent re-application. Antifreeze is essential during the colder months as it prevents water within your engine’s cooling system from freezing over. Frozen water within the cooling system can cause significant damage to the radiator and can be costly to fix. With prolonged use, salt and rubbing alcohol can destroy automotive paint: The first time salt or rubbing alcohol touches the paint on your car, you might not notice a problem. But, if you continue to use them, after a while, you will start to see the gloss fade and the color dissolve. So, when using these ingredients in your homemade de-icer, take care to only use them on the glass.The one other thing it won’t save you from is a completely snowed-over windscreen. For those instances where you’ll need a set of snow chains, a full-on snow brush will be a more useful bet. Registered office: Media House, Peterborough Business Park, Lynch Wood, Peterborough PE2 6EA and H Bauer Publishing, Company number: LP003328; Running low on engine oil is a frequent cause of breakdowns and can cause serious damage to the engine. Oil helps lubricate the engine and keeping it topped up could save you from having to fork out on unnecessary repairs. Potential damage to property and vegetation: Homemade de-icers can contain ingredients that are corrosive and may cause damage to surfaces such as concrete, metal, or wood. Additionally, the residue left behind by these de-icers can stain or deteriorate surfaces over time. Moreover, their chemical composition might harm nearby vegetation, causing damage to plants and grass;

With the colder months in full swing, it’s essential to ensure your car is fully protected for those essential winter journeys. The cold weather can impact your vehicle in many ways including battery issues, engine troubles, and windscreen damage. However, you can protect your vehicle from the elements by ensuring that your fluids are topped up sufficiently. Now that you know the preventative measures to take against freezing temperatures, let's look at some solutions to try today. 7 Homemade De-Icing Sprays You Can Make Right NowRemember to exercise caution when applying homemade deicers and wear appropriate footwear to prevent slips or falls. Stay safe and enjoy the benefits of your homemade deicer! Bonus De-Icing Tips Potassium acetate: For an eco-friendly de-icing product, potassium acetate solutions are a great option. Potassium acetate is biodegradable and non-corrosive, making it safe for concrete surfaces.