The winter months are a particularly tough time for cars. As the days get shorter and colder, lights, heaters and windscreen wipers all put higher demands on the car’s battery; with more driving done in the dark, visibility is impaired; ice and snow can cause your car to skid off the road, and low temperatures can cause engines to freeze. Indeed, the AA reports that the number of breakdowns it has to deal with almost doubles whenever there’s a cold spell.

At this time of year it is therefore particularly important to make sure that you have adequate breakdown cover, which typically provides roadside assistance and alternative transport where needed. Some companies will also pay for or subsidise overnight accommodation near to your intended destination.

Aside from taking out adequate insurance, there are a number of steps you can take to minimize the risk of breaking down.

In a report concerning safe winter driving, the AA recommends taking the following precautions:

1. Look after the electrics. Colder weather and dark evenings mean you use your lights, heaters and windscreen wipers more often, putting strain on the battery. Avoid running the heater fan for longer than necessary by turning it off when the windscreen has cleared. Also remember to press down the clutch when starting a cold engine – this disconnects the engine from the gearbox so there’s less drag.
2. Make sure your engine is protected adequately against freezing by ensuring you use the right type of antifreeze. Traditional glycol-based antifreeze should be changed at least every two years and a 50-50 mix of antifreeze and water will give maximum protection down to -34°C.
3. Make sure you can be seen by cleaning your lights and number plates regularly – you can be fined if they are dirty and illegible. Also check that your bulbs are working.
4. Check the tread of your tyres. At least 3mm is recommended for winter driving, and certainly no less than 2mm. Snow chains are necessary only in areas hit with a lots of snow, where the roads are not cleared. They must not be used on dry roads.
5. Combat dazzle and improve your vision by keeping your windows clean. Replace worn or damaged wipers and use a proper additive in the screen wash – not ordinary antifreeze or washing up liquid, which will foam horribly. To keep the windscreen from misting up, soak a cloth in pure washing up liquid then let it dry. Now wipe over the inside of the windows with the cloth and it will stop them misting up.
6. Give yourself time to clear ice and snow from the window and check the lights in cold weather before you need to set off. If locks are frozen use a cigarette lighter to warm a key. Don’t leave the car unattended to warm up – it could be stolen.
7. Plan routes to favour major roads which are more likely to have been gritted and allow extra time for your journey. Carry some extra items in case you get stuck, such as a mobile phone with fully charged battery, torch, first-aid kit, tow rope, blankets, warm coat, jump leads, snow shovel, warning triangle and an old sack or rug (to put under the wheels if you do get stuck).
8. Keep to a slow, steady speed on snow and ice. Remember that stopping distances are 10 times longer in icy conditions. Pull away using second gear to avoid wheel spin and if you need to brake, do it gently. Take care where the road is shaded by trees – ice can hang around here when the roads around have thawed.
9. Only drive through water if you know how deep it is. Drive slowly and steadily to avoid creating a bow wave and keep the engine revving by slipping the clutch, otherwise water in the exhaust could stall the engine. Allow oncoming traffic to pass first and test your brakes as soon as you can after leaving the water.
10. Keep the fuel tank topped up – you never know when you might get caught up in an accident or be delayed by foul weather. Instead of waiting for the fuel light to glow, top up when you pass a petrol station in case you get stuck.

The AA is the UK’s most popular breakdown provider. It offers a number of packages including roadside cover which provides basic roadside and recovery assistance 24 hours a day, Home Start which provides additional assistance for breakdowns which occur near your home. And Breakdown Repair Cover, which helps cover costs for replacement parts and garage labour up to £500 (including VAT; less £25 excess) following a breakdown attended by the AA.

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 27th, 2008 at 2:56 pm and is filed under Vehicle Breakdown Cover. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.