Scots drivers are being urged to carry out essential checks on their car ahead of the winter season.
Temperatures are expected to plummet across Scotland over the coming weeks, with the thermostat set to dip to below freezing towards the end of October.
Met Office forecasters say that a widespread frost could hit rural parts of the country from around October 24.
Snow could also land in areas of the north west from this period.
Car experts Leasing Options is warning that drivers must look into six essential maintenance checks before the colder climates set in.
They say that failing to do some of these could see drivers facing a fine of up to £1,000 and potentially three points on their licence.
These include ensuring that your lights are fully functioning and checking your tyres.
Here is everything that drivers need to know ahead of the winter months.
1. Check and replace worn down windscreen wipers
If you’re driving with worn-down windscreen blades in wet, snowy, and icy weather you will not have a full view of the road.
In the lead-up to the bad weather, we’re facing in October drivers should look for splits or harness to the rubber of their windscreen wipers. Replace the wipers immediately if there is a sign of wear and tear.
2. Ensure all lights working ahead of darker evenings
With dark evenings approaching car lights are more important than ever. Not only so that as a driver you have a full view of the road, but also so other road users can see you in advance too. Having broken lights on dark evenings could lead to a serious accident.
Make sure all your car lights are working, including fog lights front and rear. Back up to a garage door or large window to check the functionality of brake lights and reverse lights.
3. Clean mirrors before setting off
Rule 229 of the highway code states that when driving in adverse weather conditions before setting off drivers must make sure the mirrors are clear and the windows are demisted thoroughly.
We recommend keeping a cloth in your car glove compartment in winter months to clean your mirrors before setting off on a car journey.
4. Check tyres for inconsistencies
Make sure your tyres are inflated to the correct pressures, anything different could affect braking distances, and steering feel.
If your car has been laid up for a while, you may have developed slight flat spots in the tyre, which will feel like a vibration. If you take the car on a drive, the heat from friction and rotation should remove the flat spots.
Also, check the sidewalls for signs of cracking and your tread depth.
5. Check coolant system hasn't frozen
A frozen coolant system can cause significant damage. You should also make sure the coolant is at an adequate concentration to prevent freezing at lower temperatures. Drivers should NOT just top up the existent coolant they have in their vehicle with water, the mixing ratio should be 50:50. Always top up coolant with the same colour already in the system.
6. Prevent screen wash freezing
Another fluid that needs to be the correct concentration to prevent freezing is screen wash. For the winter months, it is best to go with a 50:50 mix of water and screen wash.
