Is Your LEVC TX Taxi Winter Ready? Here is Your Black Cab Winter Checklist
Winter is in full swing and that means a spike in people turning to taxis to help them beat the cold snap and get home safely.
Whether it’s merry revellers seeking a way back in the early hours, Christmas shoppers realising they have bought too many presents for the bus or simply anyone that doesn’t want to walk in frigid or wet weather conditions, taxis are anything from a welcome convenience to a lifeline in the colder months.
This is especially true of LEVC TX – aka. Black Cab – models, which with their practical interiors, convenient access and easy manoeuvrability, are the perfect mode of transport for large groups and their accoutrements whether they’re trying to get to the shopping centre, or the best bar in town, or simply home.
So, it’s essential your taxi is in excellent working order during the harshest months to ensure your operations can make the most of the peak season.
To ensure your LEVC TX taxi is winter ready, here are some easy checks – many you can do yourself – that will ensure you stay on the road come snow or shine.
Taxi Winter Check
Tyres
It is always important to stay on top of checking your tyres to ensure they are well within the legal limit for use. The legal limit is 1.6mm but at least 3mm is best for your tyres to cope with winter conditions.
Winter is the best time to change tyres on your LEVC Black Cab. It means they will have optimum tread and depth during a time when cold, wet and icy conditions are more commonplace.
In fact, there is no better time than now to get four new tyres fitted to your LEVC TX Taxi for just £71 per fitted tyre (excluding VAT). Offer ends 31st January 2026, contact The Taxi Centre for more (full details of this offer can be found at the foot of this article).
Beyond the actual tread and depth of the tyres, it is also important to check tyres are inflated to the correct level of pressure. Tyres can slowly deflate over time, particularly if your cab is regularly carrying heavy passenger payloads.
Moreover, carrying more passengers run the risk of tyres being less effective under braking and cornering, but this can be sorted by ensuring you have the correct pressures. Better still, having the correct pressures is cost-saving in terms of fuel economy.
Finally, inspect for damage. Taxis might be prone to bulges and cracks from potholes – which are susceptible to opening in colder conditions – traffic calming furniture like speed humps and catching on kerbs when parking.
Electric Taxi Preparation
Colder weather has an impact on the efficiency of an electric vehicle’s battery, such as reduced range and slower charging, but a few small actions can have a noticeably positive effect.
It is a good idea to pre-condition your taxi before you head on your rounds by heating it and the battery, preferably when it is still plugged into mains power.
Keeping the battery warmer for longer is also beneficial, so charging regularly is one measure to take, as is parking it in a covered space, such as a garage or in a car park with a roof.
When driving without fares, consider using heated seats and steering wheel (if equipped) instead of the main dashboard heater.
These measures, of course, are to assist with the range and longevity of your LEVC TX taxi’s range-extending battery, which works in tandem with your 1.5-litre petrol engine for improved emissions and fuel economy.
Wiper Blades
As one of the few moving parts on the outside of your taxi, wiper blades tackle the harshest conditions in the winter time.
Rainier weather means a likelihood of using your wiper blades more often, resulting in wear. Not only that though, salt or wet spray on the roads can kick up grit and debris onto your windscreen, potentially damaging wiper blades.
As a rule, wiper blades should be changed twice a year to ensure you get optimum wiping performance before the materials begin to wear.
Worn wiper blades are one of the most common causes of a failed MOT, but they can be easily replaced cheaply and quickly.
Lights & Visibility
Much like windscreens, lights and number plates are subject to the worst of the conditions on the outside of your taxi, so it’s important to keep them clear and make sure they remain in good working order for all those long nights.
Essential Fluids
Make sure your fluids are kept topped up under the bonnet, including anti-freeze, and check your oil too.
Also, have plenty of washer fluid to hand. The wintery conditions throw up more debris to clear on the windscreen and washer fluid is critical to keeping it off, so you’re likely to run through it more quickly.
Passenger Comfort
Be sure to double-check everything is in working order for your passenger’s comfort, including testing the rear windows, heat flow and seatbelts.
Winter Emergency Kit
As they say, hope for the best but prepare for the worst. In those instances where your taxi might be brought to a standstill for whatever reason, it is important you have provisions and equipment to ride out an unscheduled stop.
This should include an ice-scraper, de-icer, a first-aid kit, a torch, a blanket, warm clothing, water and a hi-visibility vest.
Taxi Winter Checklist
- Check or consider replacing your tyres so they are in optimum working order to handle wet or icy conditions.
- Pre-heat your LEVC TX Taxi to maximise the chances of full electric range out of it
- Replace worn or damaged wiper blades
- Check all lights to ensure they offer clear visibility
- Keep essential fluids topped up
- Check all functions are in working order in the rear passenger compartment
- Pack a Winter Emergency Kit
This LEVC TC Winter Tyre promotion provided by The Taxi Centre and Union Motors, trading names of Grantham Motor Company Limited. Promotion limited to select ENSO TXB1 tyres for LEVC TX models only and is available until 31 Jan 2026. £71+VAT fitted based on purchase of max volume discount on 4 tyres. Promotion may be varied, withdrawn or terminated at any time. Visit thetaxicentre.com/terms-and-conditions/ for full terms and conditions.