How to avoid car breakdown this winter

Date posted: October 15, 2012

Breaking down is bad enough but when you’ve got the weather as an additional enemy it can be a pretty frustrating experience. Whether this winter will bring us flash floods, icy spells or frosty spats, it’s important that you are heavily prepared in the event of a car breakdown… but there’s plenty you can do in order to avoid car breakdown altogether! We look at some of the most common causes of winter breakdown and how to avoid them.Battery bother

Having a flat battery is undoubtedly the most common cause of winter breakdowns. Unfortunately, many motorists fail to bother checking car batteries, as they presume they’re fine once the car has been serviced.

A battery, like many other parts of your vehicle, is subject to wear and tear and if neglected, it’ll only cause you problems in the future. Now’s the time to check your battery before the winter weather really kicks in.

Head down to your nearest garage and ask to have your battery tested. Most garages will show you the condition of your battery free of charge.

Low levels of liquid and minor incidents

Regularly check oil levels (at least once a month) and anti-freeze. Although modern cooling systems shouldn’t really need constant top ups, it’s good practice to check that there are sufficient amounts of antifreeze to prevent your engine from giving up on you this winter!

Refer to your car’s manual for guidance.

Minor incidents are also a major cause of car breakdown during winter so make sure you properly maintain your vehicle on a regular basis, even more so when the weather worsens.

Tyre problems

Tyre problems account for a large number of breakdown calls – mainly during the winter – meaning it’s very important that you keep on top of basic tyre maintenance. Check your tyre’s tread depth (this should be at least 1.6mm) to ensure maximum traction on wet roads.

You should also look out for any punctures or object embedded within the tyres in order to avoid tyre blowout.

Last but not least, don’t forget that important spare wheel! You never know when you might need it.

Problems with road visibility

Ensure all lights are working properly, both inside and outside of your vehicle. Get someone to help you check whether they are working to their full potential and make sure that they are clean. Wipe off any dirt or debris on your headlights to ensure maximum visibility of the road.

Checking interior lights is very crucial otherwise you’ll find it difficult to find what you’re looking for if you happen to get stuck in the dark.

Car breakdown cover

Looking for car breakdown cover for the winter season? Take our breakdown cover on your vehicle with Rescuemycar.com and you’ll be joining one of the UK’s largest network of breakdown specialists!

Call us now on 0845 29 34 700 to speak to our experienced staff.