How to avoid breakdowns during the worst of the winter weather

The cold winter months are the worst time to break down. Who wants to wait for roadside assistance when it’s cold and pouring with rain? But some of the problems your car faces over the winter months can be because of the weather, so it’s important to check your car is in its best condition before heading off. We’ve compiled some checks that you should carry out on your car so you don’t get caught out.

Antifreeze

Antifreeze lowers the freezing point of your engine’s cooling system, keeping it from freezing when it’s cold. This is crucial for the winter months when the temperatures plummet, or otherwise you can face some costly damage to your radiators. You can get it changed at a garage if the levels are low, but if you decide to do it yourself make sure to read your vehicle’s manual as each car is different.

Tyres

Although the legal requirement for tyre tread depth is 1.6mm, you’ll be safest with a depth of 3mm or more. This will ensure your car has the best grip to the road during the worst of the winter weather. The risk of aquaplaning and a shorter stopper distance is increased the lower your tyre tread depth is. It’s better to play it safe and have a deeper tread if you can, as you may already be facing some rough weather conditions.

Lights

Visibility can be a real problem during the winter, as not only are the nights longer but the weather tends to be worse. Making sure your headlights and full beams are working is essential. Replace any bulbs that aren’t working so that you don’t only have better visibility, but you are more visible to other drivers. While you’re at it, check your brake and reverse lights.

Battery

Your battery won’t perform at its best during the winter because the cold weather affects how efficiently it charges. You’re more likely to be using the heaters and the lights which also affect the battery. This problem can be made worse if there’s been a particularly hot summer, as the battery doesn’t run well at either extreme. Definitely make a point of checking your battery if there’s been a scorching summer.

Emergency Kit

Even when you’ve taken every precaution, sometimes a breakdown will catch you by surprise. Keep essentials in the car so if you are caught out, you can stay safe and warm. The AA recommend  a few items to have handy, such as a blanket, snacks, waterproofs and a flask to combat against the worst of the winter weather if you need to pull over.