Winter Car Care Don'ts: Avoid These Common Mistakes

❌ Don't Activate Frozen Wipers
Operating wipers frozen to the windscreen can tear rubber blades and burn out wiper motors.

‍What to do instead:
- Gently free wipers with cold water
- Carefully remove ice chunks by hand
- Consider lifting wipers when parking before frost
- Allow complete thawing before operation

❌ Never Jump-Start Without Checking Your Manual
Improper jump-starting can damage sensitive electronic components and engine management systems.

‍What to do instead:
- Consult your vehicle's manual for specific instructions
- Note whether your vehicle has dedicated jump terminals
- Follow proper cable connection sequence
- Consider professional assistance if unsure.

Note: Serious and costly damage can be caused by power surges by not following your manuals guidelines. Most at risk are electrical components such as engine management systems (EMS and ECM). If in doubt contact a professional.

❌ Don't Check Tyre Pressure When your Tyres are too hot from driving
Tyre pressure specifications are based on cold tyres—checking when hot gives inaccurate readings.

‍What to do instead:
- Check pressure before driving or at least three hours after
- Follow manufacturer pressure recommendations
- Adjust for winter conditions as needed
- Maintain consistent monitoring throughout the season.

Note: Your vehicle manual may have recommendations to increase the tyre pressure (pre driven rating) in winter pending your location as extreme cold will limit the amount of expansion even when driving.