Winter in Kingston SE can be a challenging time for drivers.

The cooler temperatures, frosty mornings, and occasional wet conditions make it crucial to ensure your car is in top-notch condition. One of the best ways to prepare for winter driving is through regular servicing. Let's dive into why regular service is essential and what specific tasks should be undertaken to ensure your vehicle is winter-ready.

Regular service is vital for maintaining the overall health and safety of your vehicle. By adhering to a scheduled maintenance routine, you can catch potential issues before they become significant problems. This is especially crucial as winter approaches, where the cold and wet conditions can exacerbate existing issues and lead to unexpected breakdowns. Here's a breakdown of the critical components that need to be checked and serviced to ensure your car is ready for winter driving in Kingston SE.

Why Regular Service is Essential for Winter Driving

Imagine driving on a frosty morning and suddenly needing to stop quickly. Your brakes are your car's lifeline, and ensuring they are in optimal condition is non-negotiable. Regular servicing includes checking the brake pads, discs, and brake fluid. Worn-out brake pads can reduce your stopping power, which is especially dangerous on slippery winter roads. A thorough brake check can prevent accidents and provide peace of mind knowing your car will stop when you need it to.

Your tyres are the only part of your car that makes contact with the road. Ensuring they are up to the task is paramount for safe winter driving. Regular service checks include inspecting tyre tread depth and tyre pressure. Worn-out treads can significantly reduce traction, making it harder to control your car on wet or icy roads. Additionally, proper tyre pressure is crucial for optimal performance and fuel efficiency. Don't forget to check the spare tyre as well; you never know when you might need it.

Cold weather can be brutal on car batteries. A battery that's already weak will likely fail when the temperature drops. During regular servicing, technicians will test the battery's charge and overall health. If your battery is more than three years old, it might be time for a replacement. A strong, fully charged battery ensures your car starts reliably on those cold winter mornings.

Fluids like engine oil, coolant, and brake fluid play a critical role in your car's performance. Cold weather can cause fluids to thicken, making it harder for your engine to run smoothly. During a regular service, all fluid levels are checked and topped up as needed. Coolant, in particular, is crucial for preventing your engine from freezing. Ensuring the correct antifreeze mixture can protect your engine and radiator from the harsh winter temperatures.

Fluid Levels: The Lifeblood of Your Vehicle

Visibility is often compromised in winter due to rain, frost, and fog. Ensuring your windshield wipers are in good condition is essential for maintaining clear vision. Regular service checks will include inspecting the wiper blades for wear and tear. Replacing worn-out blades ensures that you can effectively clear your windshield, providing you with a clear view of the road ahead.

Windshield Wipers: Clear Vision, Safe Driving

Shorter daylight hours and overcast skies mean you'll be relying on your car's lights more often in winter. Regular servicing includes checking all lights, including headlights, taillights, brake lights, and indicators. Ensuring all bulbs are working correctly and that the lights are clean can make a significant difference in visibility and safety.

A well-functioning HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system is crucial for comfort and safety during winter. The heating system keeps you warm, while the defrost function ensures your windows remain clear of frost and condensation. During a regular service, the HVAC system is inspected for any issues, ensuring it works efficiently when you need it the most.

Regular servicing is not just about maintaining your car's performance; it's about ensuring your safety and the safety of others on the road. As winter approaches in Kingston SE, taking the time to service your vehicle can make all the difference in preventing accidents and breakdowns.

By getting you trusted local Kingston SE mechanic Kingston Sales & Service to check essential components like brakes, tyres, battery, fluid levels, windshield wipers, lights, and the HVAC system as part of a regular service schedule you can drive with confidence...

One of the best ways to prepare for winter driving is through regular servicing. Let's dive into why regular service is essential and what specific tasks should be undertaken to ensure your vehicle is winter-ready...

Get a vehicle winter ready with regular service

Brake fluid transfers the pressure you put on the brake pedal through to the actual brakes.
Without the brake fluid your brakes quite simply would not work. As everyone knows - not having brakes is a huge problem! In fact even slightly affected brakes are very dangerous.


Brake fluid absorbs moisture very easily. Brake fluids are also subject to very high temperatures and so they are designed to have a high boiling point to stop them from boiling and evaporating- when brake fluid has accumulated too much moisture- this lowers its boiling point and it can boil off more easily causing low levels. Low levels of brake fluid affect your braking performance and could mean your car will fail to stop.
Brake Fluid that has absorbed too much moisture will also shorten the life of your braking system including damaging the callipers, wheel cylinders and anti-lock braking systems.

Why is brake fluid replacement necessary?

Your manufacturer's log book will advise how regularly your brake fluid should be changed or flushed, we recommend a drain and replacement every two years however it is wise to have it regularly checked by an expert at every service to make sure the levels are not reducing too fast (a sign of a leak) or that the moisture levels have not reached a point that could be damaging your system.

How often should I replace my brake fluid?

At Kingston Sales & Service we offer a full 65 Point Vehicle Inspection report, upon request, with every full car service which includes a written review of your brake fluid, master cylinder, front and back discs and pads, callipers and cylinders and more. This inspection helps to identify any issues in your vehicle which should be addressed and our mechanics will certainly advise you if they feel your vehicle might need a brake fluid replacement, or an out of schedule brake system service or repairs.

Do you check the brake fluids during a car service?

Without the brake fluid your brakes quite simply would not work.

Brake fluid - what is it and why do I need it? 

When it comes to brakes, you should never wait until brake repairs are necessary.  

Proper testing and routine checkups, such as our 65 Point Vehicle Inspection which we provide with all full car services, are important to ensure your vehicle's brake system is in top condition. Our expert team of technicians will be happy to advise you when they suspect that service or repair of your brake system is indicated to stop it becoming a bigger issue.

Brake services we perform at Kingston Sales & Service include:

Brake Disc/Rotor and Drum Resurfacing or Machining

If you recognise any symptoms that your car's braking system could possibly need service or repairs simply book online with us and have the brakes of your vehicle assessed through our Kingston SE workshop today.

When it comes to brakes, you should'nt wait until brake repairs are necessary, get tested regularly.  

Brake and Clutch Service in Kingston SE

Brake and Clutch

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Kingston Sales & Service take great pride in offering their clients personalised, and friendly service at all times. 

Conveniently located in Kingston SE, the business is a member of the Repco Auto Tech training program, ensuring their technicians are kept fully up to date with modern vehicle repair methods. 

Kingston Sales & Service have a wealth of experience in servicing all makes and models, including commercial fleet vehicles. As a Repco Authorised Service Centre, they have a commitment to high quality workmanship, ensuring the very best in automotive care.


Kingston Sales & Service

Brake and clutch

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