Many drivers will already know a number of things they need to do to keep their car on the road throughout the cold winter weather conditions.
However, each year the number of breakdowns, caused by the temperature drop, shoot up as winter strikes.
Many of these could easily be avoided by taking some easily achievable steps to ensure the motor is kept in top-top condition.
Some of the things will be obvious to many, but the figures suggest plenty more are still being left at the side of the road.
Keep your motor running
When the cold snap hits it is a wise idea to start your vehicle's engine even on days when you have no plans to use it. This gives you an indication of whether everything is working properly and should help to prevent any false starts when you get back behind the wheel.
Keeping a car in a garage - if you have one - could also keep the vehicle functioning as it should be.
Prepare for the worst
Sometimes the worst is unavoidable, so keeping a warm blanket in the car, ensuring you have waterproof clothing with you and fully charging a mobile phone before making a journey can make an unavoidable stop more comfortable.
Ideally though you will make it through the coming months uninterrupted and one of the first steps to take should be to check the anti-freeze in your vehicle. Look at the bottle at the top of the engine to check where it is between the maximum and minimum marks.
Particular attention should be paid to the anti-freeze content of the cooling system and drivers may wish to take a look at their handbook or consult an expert as to the best anti-freeze to use.
Oil levels are also important and can be easily checked by pulling out the dipstick. The oil should be close to the upper mark, rather than the lower, with around one litre's worth of oil making up the difference for those who find themselves running short. A low level of oil can, over time, cause engine damage.
Another important consideration is the battery. Connections should be tight and free from corrosion so a quick check of your battery and charging system now could prevent a breakdown later.
Around one third of breakdowns are due to flat batteries, so if your battery is showing signs of weakness it is quit possible it could go flat overnight.
With more electrical equipment in use inside the vehicle over winter it is important to ensure everything is turned off before exiting the car.
Take your time
With the conditions on some roads likely to be particularly hazardous, drivers should give themselves plenty of time before the journey and during it.
Driving slower on icy roads could prove just as important in preventing an accident as ensuring the car is ready for the journey before taking to the road.
One way of doing this is keeping in mind that petrol stations could be busier at this time of year so filling up the night before your journey should allow you to take your time the following day.
If windscreens are icy then pouring hot water from a kettle on to it should be avoided as it could cause cracks. A windscreen scraper and a good de-icer can make sure that vision is as clear as possible.
Locks can also freeze over in icy conditions so motorists may want to use lock de-icer to keep things running smoothly.
Consider getting breakdown cover
Despite ensuring that your car is as well prepared as possible, the unexpected can still happen. Therefore, drivers may want to ensure that the effects of the unexpected are minimal.
As always, it is a good idea to shop around for the best deal in terms of your needs and value for money.
To compare breakdown cover from the UK's leading providers click here.
Author: KYM Editor
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