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As residents of the UAE, we're fortunate enough to experience warm weather for the better part of the year. However, the winter chill can sneak up on us if we're not cautious enough. Relax, relax. This isn't us telling you to stock up on heavy-down jackets and winter coats. You don't need all that. What we're getting at is winter car care.



While we don't deal with adverse conditions such as frost and snow, that doesn't necessarily mean we can be complacent. With a cool head and a hint of proactivity, we can make it through the winter with just about no car troubles. Lest we forget, the winter's when we have most of our road trips planned.

Whether it's unexpected rains, expected morning dew, or a sudden burst of fog, proper vehicle maintenance is imperative in the winter. Cold weather tends to take a toll on cars, and the difficult driving conditions might catch you off-guard. With a bit of long sight and proper planning, you can ensure your vehicle stays road-ready for the winter.

Let's look at what some of the most essential winter car care tips are for the season, straight from your resident auto service experts at Service My Car.

Keep a check on your oil and fuel levels

Ensure your oil level is well within the minimum and the maximum mark on your car's dipstick. Running low on oil can cause hazardous situations on the road. You're advised to check your oil levels only after the car has fully warmed up. If you find yourself running low on oil, it's best to get a car oil change.



With doorstep services becoming more popular than ever, you can get your oil changed at your doorstep with a mobile oil change service, such as the one provided by Service My Car.

While you're at it, it doesn't hurt to fill up on petrol too. Ensure you have the right amount of petrol in your tank before you plan long trips. You're especially advised not to stretch out the last few kilometers with low fuel as you might just end up being stranded on the road.

Ensure your headlights are clean

With unexpected rains and dust storms, it goes without saying that cars tend to get dirty during the winter. While a simple car wash might fix most problems, it's especially important to ensure your headlights are clean.



It's estimated that your headlights lose around 40% of luminosity in 35km when driving on a wet winter's day. If possible, get someone to stand outside the car and ensure all your lights are working correctly.

If you happen to have any issues with any of your lights, it signals battery issues.

Get a thorough battery test done

Speaking of battery issues, did you know that the number one cause of vehicle breakdowns is a flat battery? It turns out, the risk of battery failure grows exponentially in cold and wet climates.



While you should endeavor to change your car's battery every three years, you might have to do it sooner if the cold climate is affecting it. Some signs to look out for include the engine turning over slower than usual, the battery light flickering in the dashboard, and any faults in the electrical unit.

Whether your headlights aren't working, or you run into any other battery troubles, it needs to be fixed. You can avail a hassle-free battery replacement from the auto repair experts at Service My Car.

Thoroughly assess your tyres

We've covered this before, but it doesn't hurt to be repeated. Tyres that are worn out are always dangerous, but the danger is enhanced when you drive in wet conditions. We're aware that the UAE is prone to sudden rainfall in the winter, and driving in such conditions can be hazardous if your tyres aren't in a good condition.



It's also vital to ensure you have a roadworthy spare tyre too. If you happen to face the misfortune of dealing with a flat tyre, Service My Car provides flat tyre services as part of their roadside assistance services.

Check your windshield wipers and ensure you have washer fluid

Ensure your windshield wipers are in proper condition. They should not have any holes or tears. Moreover, they should be able to clean your windshield accurately without posing the risk of damaging it.



You can wipe the wipers clean every now and then. On top of that, you'll need adequate windshield washer fluid too. A mix of rain and dust can make your windshield dirty in no time, and washer fluid is the best way to get it back to its original state.

Winter's also when you're most likely to face some form of windshield damage. If your windshield's worse for wear, then it's probably time to get it replaced. Get the best windshield replacement from Service My Car.

Inspect your brakes thoroughly

Your brakes need to be working at its best, especially during the winter. If your brakes are squealing or grating, it's best to get them checked immediately.

Moreover, if you're taking the car out after a while, start off slowly to allow the discs, calipers, and handbrake to warm up gradually.

Check if it's time for a service

Like several of the tips above, this one's essential all year round. However, the adverse wintry conditions make this one just the more necessary.

You're typically advised to get a major service every 20,000km. You can always consult the vehicle manufacturer's guide if you're unsure. Alternatively, you could just ask one of the resident auto service experts at Service My Car.

[Note:-These tips and tricks are powered by the Subaru Service Center of United Arab Emirates] With hassle-free service packages, they can guide you to choose precisely what's required for your car. Get prepared for the winter by booking a service package at Service My Car today.

Dubai's got a rather car-friendly urban planning. From large-scale communities to skyscraper blocks lining highways, there's very little to explore by foot, and just as much to explore by road.

Regardless of where you stay, there's probably a mall, a bunch of supermarkets, a mosque, and so much more, all within a 10-minute drive. Living in such close proximity to such places can definitely feel convenient. Sometimes, you just want to go on a quick drive and get all your work done in no time.

However, it turns out that your frequent short drives can have an adverse effect on your car. We're here to tell you all about it, and even have some nifty mitigative measures up our sleeves. Sit back, get comfortable, and enjoy, as your resident auto service experts are here to serve it up.

Are short drives bad for your engine?

Engine oil, especially as it ages, is a thick and slow-moving sludge of fluid. As your engine warms up upon usage, the oil heats up and gets a lot denser, allowing it to move freely and lubricate the engine.

However, the engine has to adequately heat up for this to take place. It can only do so after a certain period of usage. Quick, short drives tend to result in the motor not reaching the optimal operating temperature. The lack of heat can result in less-than-ideal viscosity levels of your engine oil, rendering it incapable of lubricating the engine properly.

Moreover, your motor oil can only get rid of its contaminants with optimal heat. When your engine fails to arrive at an adequate temperature, these contaminants remain in the oil, posing additional risk to your engine.

The best way to combat such risks would be to avoid too many quick and short drives. You're also advised to get a car oil change regularly. If you're unsure about when to change your oil, consult your car manufacturer's maintenance schedule, or simply ask one of our auto service experts.

Getting an oil change has never been easier. You can either have your car picked up, taken to the garage for an oil change, and delivered back to you, or you could get it all done at your doorstep with our mobile oil change.

Are short drives bad for your car's battery?

An action as simple as starting your car requires a lot of effort from your battery. It's still not as demanding as getting your engine going. It's a meticulous and complicated process that starts from your alternator recharging your battery, all the way till the next time you start the car.

As such, taking frequent short trips results in your battery not getting enough time on the road to recharge entirely for your next trip. Imagine just how problematic this could be if you happened to be far away from home. What makes it even worse is that it significantly shortens the life of your battery.

Similar to how your engine needs several minutes to warm up to an adequate temperature, your battery has to be running long enough to get recharged completely. As a result, you ensure that your battery doesn't get rapidly depleted, leading to premature wear and tear.

In short, quick and short trips can be a guaranteed way of shortening the lifespan of your battery. Whether your battery is old or not, you're advised to watch out for signs of having a weak battery. These signs include your engine being slow to crank, your headlights being dimmer than usual, or the obvious, seeing the battery warning light on your dashboard.

Stay on the side of caution and get your battery inspected by your resident auto service experts at Service My Car. If there's anything faulty, you can also get a car battery replacement from us.

Still, making too many short trips? Here's how to take better care of your car

As we stated earlier, living close to your most used amenities most certainly has its perks. However, all those short drives affect your engine a lot more than you can realize.

No matter what type of damage you suspect you might have with your Land Rover in Dubai, whether it's to your engine or your battery, we can fix it all. Whether it's regular servicing, or extensive engine repair, or a battery replacement, Service My Car provides you the best Land Rover Service in Dubai with free pickup and delivery from your location.


Making a service booking or requesting a repair quote has never been easier. All you need to do is visit our website or download the Service My Car app now.

Mitigate the short trips by getting your car fixed at Service My Car today.