Regular maintenance will prolong the life of your car
Short dark evenings, wind, rain and frost as well as the odd spell of snow … These are the harsh conditions drivers can expect this coming winter. Your local Škoda service dealer can prepare your vehicle for the long winter ahead. Technicians at Škoda authorised service dealers can perform all winter service checks on your car so you can face this winter with confidence.  
Braking systems – just a visual check is not enough

When your brakes are in perfect condition they should not only react quickly, they must distribute brake force appropriately between all wheels. Your local Škoda dealer can conduct a system check-up on a brake testing machine to ascertain the efficiency of your brakes.

At the same time it is necessary to have the brake fluid checked. Over time the quality of brake fluid deteriorates for this reason it is recommended that brake fluid should be changed every two years in order to maintain optimum braking efficiency and safety. 

Cooling system
In addition to the examination of the cooling system, it is also very important to check the concentration of anti-freeze mixture in the system. Insufficient anti freeze can lead to damage to the radiator and cooling system. Your local Škoda dealer can do a complete check of the cooling system to prepare your car for harsh winter conditions.
Battery

In winter time your battery is placed under particular strain. When temperatures fall only some of the batteries capacity is available for starting the car. A depleted battery can freeze even at a few degrees below zero.

This is why we recommend having the battery checked at a Škoda authorised service dealer before the weather starts to turn cold and if necessary having the battery recharged and terminals cleaned and tightened properly.

Windscreen wipers

The importance of windscreen wipers is often under estimated. Your safety depends on clear vision. In Ireland with heavy precipitation it is recommended to change your wiper blades at least once if not twice per year. It is also important to check your windscreen washer reservoir to ensure there is sufficient winter additive to prevent it from freezing.

TIP for Frosty Nights: For regular windscreen wipers you place cardboard along the length of the blades to prevent them from freezing to the glass. For aero wipers, lift the wipers off the windscreen before the frost sets in. If the wiper blades do end up freezing to the glass NEVER turn them on as this could damage the wipers and the wiper motor itself.

Headlight check-up

We recommend having your headlights checked at an authorised service partner who has equipment specially designated for this test. Your dealer can also supply you with spare light bulbs and fuses to carry with you in your car.

Always remove snow and ice from the polycarbonate headlight covers using a soft brush and a de-icing liquid designated for this use. Never use a hard scraper as this could lead to irreversible damage to the protective coating on the headlight cover.

 

What else might you need?
• Ice scraper, de-icing spray
• Replacement anti-freeze washer filler to prevent freezing of the washer jets   
• 1l of engine oil for top-ups
• Spare bulbs
• Car care cleaning products