No one wants to break down in their car period, but when it’s freezing cold, dark and wet, breakdowns become more than just an inconvenience; they can be a nightmare. So, to prevent the cold weather from affecting your WAV we’ve put together a checklist to help make sure your wheelchair accessible vehicle runs as it should through the colder months.

#1 – check Battery

It’s a well-known fact that cold weather can affect a car batteries performance, and this of course also applies to your mobility vehicle as well. As the winter months draw in, the top factor on our Winter WAV Checklist is to check your battery.

Make sure the battery is fully charged before heading out on long journeys, check the condition of the cables, posts, and connectors to ensure they are in good health and are securely fastened to the battery.

If your vehicle battery is more than two years old, it is good practice to have it tested whenever possible, more so in the colder months and before long journeys.

#2 – Tyres

Road surfaces are at their most dangerous during winter months, rain and cold is a bad combination and things like black ice and aqua planning can be quite common. We suggest giving all your tyres a good once over before undertaking a long journey.

Take a look at the wear pattern on your tyres, particularly the outer tread and shoulders. Ask yourself if rotating the tyres may do the job or it would be safer to have them replaced?

Be aware that the cold weather will make your tyre pressures drop, this can affect safe driving and also fuel efficiency, we advise checking your tyre pressures regularly in the winter months.

#3 – Hoses, Clamps and Drive Belts

Belts, hoses and clamps will usually have very important functions on your vehicle. During the winter months, these components can get very hot and very cold very quickly. The fluctuation between temperature extremes can sometimes have an adverse effect on rubber and metal car parts.

We advise having these items checked before any long road trip or before the colder winter months begin. The best time to have these items looked at is when your vehicle is serviced or MOT’d but, if you are due to take a long trip close to a scheduled TBC Conversions visit, please feel free to ask our team to cast their eye over the hoses, clamps and belts you cannot see yourself.

#4 – Wipers

A small but important feature on our Winter WAV Checklist is your wiper blades.

Visibility is often impaired during the winter months due to ice, salt and grit on the roads, having a sturdier set of winter wiper blades is advised. It’s also best practice to keep your washer fluid topped up, with a 50/50 mix of washer fluid and water to prevent the jets from freezing over.

#5 – wheelchair Lifts and Ramps

As you know, our aftercare team ensure that your WAV is subject to regular safety checks, and our mobile technicians will take care of the maintenance and repair of your access lifts or ramps as part of our annual and biannual checks.

The conversion equipment on your mobility vehicle is exposed to the winter elements when you enter and exit the car, we advise making sure any moving parts are clear of debris, such as leaves and road muck. It’s also best practice to ensure proper lubrication and adjustments are adhered to.

Snow, salt and road grit can compound corrosion and rust; therefore we recommend being extra vigilant during the winter months and reporting any causes from concern to our aftercare team in good time.

#6 – Contact numbers

At TBC Conversions our aftercare team are available on the telephone from 9 am– 5 pm, Monday to Friday on 0800 999 5090, please store this number on your mobile phone.

An important part of our Winter WAV Checklist is to ensure you have all the correct contact numbers available to you if and when you need them.

During our scheduled mobility vehicle checks, our team members will hand you a leaflet that gives you all the most important contact numbers, please leave this in your vehicles at all times for safekeeping and easy access.

Please make sure you have a full charge on your mobile phone during long winter road trips as well as all these essential contact numbers.

#7 – Blankets, Water, Snacks

“Fail to Prepare, Prepare to Fail “

It may seem extreme, but during the winter a vehicle breakdown can quickly become dangerous, therefore we advise all drivers to have warm blankets, extra clothing, water and snacks in their vehicles when undertaking long road trips.

These simple preparations can make all the difference if you are unlucky enough to be stranded roadside during the coldest months of the year.

#8 – Basic vehicle checks

Year-round these basic vehicle checks and practices should be adhered to, to ensure your car performs at its best.

• Check your oil
• Travel with enough fuel for your journey
• Have proper safety equipment to hand

At TBC Conversions we are confident that your mobility vehicle will perform and run as it should throughout the duration of your ownership or lease.

If, however, there is an instance when this is not the case, by following our Winter WAV Checklist we can help keep you and your passengers safe as can be on the road during the colder months.

For any further guidance on the maintenance and upkeep of your wheelchair accessible vehicle, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our aftercare team on 0800 999 5090 or email mobilitycustomercare@tbcconversions.com We are here to keep you safe on the road, free to enjoy travel in your WAV all year round.