Come the snow and ice and we slide, slither and bump our way around and very often our cars are as unprepared for winter as we are. Geraldine Herbert has some tips on how to get your car ready for Winter.   A properly maintained car can weather winter’s chilly temperature and November is the perfect month to start preparing. Ideally a pre-winter service is the best bet, when tyres, battery, wiper blades and anti-freeze will all be checked and the vehicle given a thorough inspection for potential trouble. But if your budget does not stretch to this a few simple checks on a regular basis would go a long way to preventing breakdowns. 1.       Battery – Battery failure is one of the most common causes of breakdown and despite what people may think they don’t actually last forever. Replacing them can save you a lot of time and inconvenience. Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of any battery and if it is more than three years old it is worthwhile having it checked. To get the most out of a battery ensure that lights, radio etc are turned off when the car is not being used and when starting the car wait until the engine is on before turning on lights, wipers and heaters. But if you battery is reaching the end of its life, usually indicted by sluggish starting,  then it’s time to think about a new one. 2.       Coolant – Ensure coolant is topped up regularly to ensure a healthy engine as overheating is a common cause of breakdown. Don’t forget to top up the windscreen washer fluid, ensuring it contains an anti-freeze agent. Check the vehicle handbook for the recommended ratio. 3.      Fuel – Don’t let the fuel levels drop too much so fill up before you set off on a long journey. If you do get stuck at least you’ll be able to stay warm. 4.      Lights – Check that all the light bulbs are working and that headlights are clean and aimed correctly Lights should be cleaned regularly, especially when roads are salted. 5.      Wiper blades – Wiper blades should be replaced regularly, so check them out as winter approaches for wear and tear. 6.      Tyres –Always ensure that your tyres are properly inflated to ensure...