Winter Car Care: Seven Things to Check Before the Cold Sets In

Perth's winter is often underestimated. The temperatures are mild by most Australian standards, but the season brings consistent rain, reduced daylight, and wet roads that place genuine demands on your vehicle. A car that performs without issue through a dry summer can show its weaknesses quickly once the rain arrives.

Cold weather increases the load on your car battery. Engines require more power to start in lower temperatures, and if your battery is carrying an existing weakness, winter mornings are often when it shows itself. Battery condition is not always visible from the outside. A battery can look fine and still be operating below the capacity needed to reliably start a cold engine. The most reliable way to know where yours sits is to have it tested properly.

New Town Toyota's service centre uses manufacturer-approved battery testing equipment. A Toyota-trained technician can assess the battery's current state and advise whether it is still within a serviceable range or approaching the point where replacement makes sense. If your battery is more than four years old or has not been tested recently, this is a straightforward check worth doing before the coldest months.

Tyre condition matters year-round, but wet winter roads make it more consequential. Two things to look at before the season:

Tyre pressure drops as temperatures fall. Under-inflated tyres have a larger contact patch, which increases rolling resistance, reduces fuel efficiency, and can cause uneven wear. Check your tyre pressures against the manufacturer's recommended figures, which are found in your owner's manual or on the sticker inside the driver's door frame. Check them when the tyres are cold, before you have driven.

Tread depth is the other variable. The legal minimum tread depth in Western Australia is 1.5mm, but most tyre manufacturers recommend replacing tyres at 3mm for wet-weather safety. Worn tread reduces your vehicle's ability to channel water away from the contact patch, increasing the risk of aquaplaning on wet roads. A quick check with a tread depth gauge or a visual inspection of the tread wear indicators built into the tyre will give you an indication of where you stand.

If you are not sure about either measurement, New Town Toyota's service team can check both as part of a vehicle inspection.

3. Assess Your Brakes

Stopping distances increase on wet roads regardless of brake condition. If your brake pads or rotors are already worn, wet conditions will compound the problem further. Some signs that your brakes warrant attention before winter: a squealing or grinding noise when braking, a vibration through the brake pedal, a longer stopping distance than you are used to, or the brake warning light appearing on your dashboard. Any of these are worth acting on promptly.

Engine oil is the most routine of the winter checks, but it is worth including because it is also the most commonly deferred. Oil degrades over time and with use, and an engine running on old or low oil works harder than it should, particularly during cold starts when oil is at its thickest and takes a moment to circulate fully.

Check your oil level using the dipstick when the engine is cold and the car is parked on level ground. The level should sit between the minimum and maximum markers. If it is low, top it up using the grade specified in your owner's manual. If it is due for a change, get it done before the season starts rather than during it.

New Town Toyota uses Toyota Genuine Parts and adheres to manufacturer-recommended service intervals. If you are unsure when your oil was last changed, your service history will tell you, or our service team can advise.

Two fluids that deserve specific attention heading into winter:

Windscreen washer fluid tends to run low faster in winter, when rain, road spray, and spray from other vehicles mean you are using the washers regularly. Running out at the wrong moment is a minor inconvenience at best and a visibility hazard at worst. Keep the reservoir filled with a proper windscreen washer solution rather than plain water, which can leave residue on the glass and is less effective at cutting through road grime.

Coolant (also called antifreeze) prevents both overheating in summer and freezing in winter. Perth winters are not cold enough to cause coolant to freeze in most circumstances, but coolant that has degraded or been diluted beyond its effective concentration can affect its ability to regulate engine temperature properly. Check the coolant level in the overflow reservoir and confirm the concentration is within the manufacturer's specification. If it has not been changed in several years, it may be due for a flush and replace.

Wiper blades deteriorate through sun exposure over summer, and a blade that cleared light dust in March may streak badly on a wet winter windscreen. Streaking, skipping, or squeaking are reliable signs that a blade is past its best.

New Town Toyota stocks Toyota Genuine wiper blades suited to your specific vehicle. A new set is an inexpensive fix that makes a real difference to driving visibility in heavy rain. If you are not sure how to replace them yourself, our parts team can advise, or our service centre can fit them during any service visit.

While you are checking wipers, also make sure your rear demister and windscreen defroster are working. Fogged windows are a common winter issue, particularly in the morning, and a defroster that is not functioning properly significantly affects your ability to see clearly while the cabin temperature catches up.

Perth's winter daylight hours are shorter than the rest of the year, and rainy conditions reduce visibility further. Both mean your vehicle's lights are working harder from May through August. Walk around the car and check that all lights are working: headlights on low and high beam, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, and reversing lights. A blown globe is easy to miss when you are driving because you cannot see it from inside the vehicle. It is also one of the most common reasons for a roadside police check.