It’s cold outside, and you scurry shivering to your car. You get in, can’t slam the door closed quick enough, and put your key in the ignition, expectant of a nice rush of warm air to embrace you like a blanket.
Nothing happens. You try again. Still nothing.
No lights appear on the dash; there’s no response; zip. You keep turning the key hoping something will happen, but knowing that you’re merely delaying the admission that you have a flat battery.
A flat battery is the most common cause of motor breakdown during the winter. And you may assume that the battery is something which is inspected in a service, but this is not necessarily the case.
Due to the cold, and extra strain put on the battery in such conditions, it’s an idea to ensure it’s in tip-top shape. A condition indicator may be present on your battery, in a small upward-facing window. Usually blue means everything’s in order, red means top up with distilled water, and white mean in need of charge. Colours may differ, but the battery will probably come with a key. It is also worth checking the connections are free of corrosion.
At very least it’s a good idea to keep your engine ticking over. If you’re not planning on using your car for a few days, start it up between journeys to keep the battery alive and kicking. If your battery is more than three years old, you should have its ability to hold charge checked. A certified repair shop should be able to do this for you.
And it probably sounds obvious, but avoid draining the battery when the car’s not running. Be sure to turn off lights, the car stereo, and anything else that may sap the battery’s juice when the engine’s off.
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In addition to keeping the battery in shape, there are other checks one can make to ensure your pride and joy is braced for the winter. Your tyres should be in good order to cope with the wet and potentially icy conditions. It’s prudent to make regular maintenance checks, as tyres have a habit of puncturing at the worst times and in the worst places. Also keep them inflated at the correct pressure for the best possible traction, which can otherwise be compromised in winter conditions.
Being able to see is pretty important when it comes to driving, so make sure that your heaters and fans are working properly, and that your windscreen washing well is topped up. Using de-icer will prevent the water from freezing up, and should be mixed 50/50. Likewise, your engine’s water supply should be well topped up and mixed with antifreeze. A 50/50 mix is a good rule of thumb here too; although brands of antifreeze may vary in concentration, so check the water to solution ratio on the bottle.
Other things worth bearing in mind this winter
- After a particularly cold night, allow your car time to defrost before making your journey.
- Oil tends to thicken in the cold, which is not so great for keeping the engine well lubricated. Ensure that your oil is of the right viscosity/thickness. You should be able to find this information in your manual.
Be prepared!
If you are travelling anywhere even vaguely remote this winter, it’s probably an idea to load a few extra items into your car just in case you break down in the middle of nowhere. It is better to have these things and not need them, than to need these things and not have them:
- a mobile phone, and an in-car charger
- a blanket or warm covering
- warm clothes
- gloves and boots – a nice pair of sturdy wellies should do the trick
- an ice scraper
- a torch
- windscreen washer fluid (de-icer)
- jump leads
- a tool kit
- a tyre gauge
- a spare inflated tyre
- tyre-changing equipment (your car should probably have a jack and a wheel brace, but if you’re not sure, check before making your journey)
- a first-aid kit
- a small shovel if there is a chance of snow
It is nowadays becoming more common for motor shops to stock ready-made kits of essential items you might need should you break down in your car, which should save you a bit of shopping around.
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