What is LJ-Automotive Store?

LJ-Automotive is the premium shopping experience for high-performance aftermarket automotive parts including LED Headlights / Rear Lights, Coilovers lowering suspension, Universal Bucket Seats and body styling upgrades.

Do I need winter tyres in the UK?

For most drivers all-season tyres are enough, but winter tyres earn their keep in the north of England and Scotland where temperatures sit below 7°C for months at a time. Grip improves noticeably when the road is cold, wet or lightly frosty. Check the size you need with our tyre calculator before ordering.

What tread depth should I run going into winter?

The legal minimum is 1.6mm across the central three quarters of the tread, measured all the way round. For winter driving we would not want to start the season under 3mm, because tread is what clears standing water.

Are brighter headlights worth it for winter?

Yes, if you commute outside daylight hours. Complete LED or projector headlight units are the safe route and pass an MOT when they are E-marked and correctly aimed. Fitting LED bulbs into a halogen lamp is a different job and commonly fails the test, because the light source and the lamp are not compatible.

Does road salt actually damage suspension?

It accelerates it. Salt and grit attack the coating on springs, corrode damper bodies and seize adjusters, so a winter-driven car wears suspension faster than a summer one. Broken or badly corroded springs are an MOT failure, so it is worth inspecting them in the autumn.

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September to February

Winter Driving Prep

See further in the dark, hold the road when it is wet and keep the salt out

In season now

The three upgrades that make the biggest difference to a British winter are how well you can see, how well the car handles a cold, wet, gritted road, and how well the interior survives the salt. Budget for lights first if you commute in the dark, then springs and dampers if the car has covered more than 60,000 miles, then mats and liners to stop salt working into the carpet.

What to sort first

Sort your lighting before the clocks change

The 4pm sunset is when tired standard lamps show their age. A set of LED or projector headlights and bright rear lights is the single most useful winter upgrade you can fit.

Look hard at tired springs and dampers

Cold, wet roads and a car full of people expose worn dampers. If the car floats or bangs over broken surfaces, coilovers or a fresh spring kit restore the control you rely on in the wet.

Keep the grit out of the cabin

Road salt works into carpet and boot trim and never comes out. Rubber mats, boot liners and seat covers cost little and protect the resale value of the interior.

Check the basics the tester checks

Tread depth, correct tyre sizes and a legal beam pattern matter more in winter than at any other time of year. Our free tool runs the same checks an MOT tester does.