Below are the Harper Sports Cars safety suggestions for preparing your vehicle for Winter, and the cold and rainy roads that follow.

Vehicle maintenance and safety tips for Winter

1. Battery – In cold weather, your battery is less effective and will struggle to supply your cranking amps. Older batteries will show signs of stress on cold mornings, in some cases cranking the engine too slowly to start.
2. Wipers – Windscreen wipers become hard and cracked over time, so remember to have your wipers checked and changed if they don’t clear the water from your windscreen effectively. They should be quiet and leave no streaks.
3. Your tires are your only connection to the road surface, and the tread is designed to clear away standing water effectively. Inspect your tires carefully, if the wear beads are level with the tread surface, it’s wise to have the tires changed. call us if you don’t how to spot the wear beads- we can help you!
4. Winter in Cape Town is not cold enough to require antifreeze, but antifreeze also provides corrosion resistance, preventing your precious engine from rusting away on the inside. Always use the recommended antifreeze in your car.
5. Brakes are considered “life and Limb” parts- critical to your safety. If you hear an annoying squeaking sound, or worse, a deep grinding sound when you press the brake pedal, have them seen to immediately by a qualified professional. If the brake pedal changes it’s feel at any time, stop driving if possible. 
6. Your thermostat is extremely important and if your temperature gauge deviates from where you expect it to be, have your cooling system checked out immediately- it might save your engine from destruction. Thermostats are generally inexpensive so don’t scrimp here! The gauge should sit approximately in the middle of the gauge.
7. Spark plugs are the way the air/fuel mixture is ignited in your cylinders. Over time they become contaminated with combustion by products and they begin to misfire, leading to a loss of engine power and rough running/heavy fuel consumption. They are generally inexpensive and an easy fix.

Drive safe this Winter