Avoiding winter breakdowns — the most common causes

About 40% of all breakdowns in winter are battery problems. Cold drastically reduces a battery’s performance. A battery that still works in summer can be too weak in winter.

What you can do: have the battery tested before winter. If it’s more than 4 years old, replace it as a precaution. A new battery costs less than a breakdown call-out in the middle of the night.

Avoid short trips in winter. The engine doesn’t run long enough to recharge the battery properly. Drive a longer distance at least once a week (30 minutes or more).

Winter tyres are a must — not just legally, but also practically. Summer tyres lose grip at temperatures below 7 degrees. They slip, brake poorly and endanger others.

Check the tread depth: the legal minimum is 1.6 mm, but at least 4 mm makes sense. Below that, winter tyres lose their effect.

Tyre pressure: slightly higher in winter (+0.2 bar), because cold air has less pressure. Check regularly.

Diesel can gel in hard frost (from around -7 degrees without additives). In winter, petrol stations sell so-called winter diesel, which stays fluid down to -20 degrees. Only fill up at reputable stations.

If you come back from holiday and still have summer diesel in the tank: drive to a station and fill up. This dilutes the old diesel with winter diesel.

If the coolant freezes, the engine block can crack — a write-off. Have the antifreeze checked before winter. It should protect down to at least -25 degrees.

The windscreen washer fluid also needs antifreeze. Without it, it freezes in the lines and you drive with an iced-up windscreen.

Never pour hot water over an iced-up windscreen — the glass can crack. Use an ice scraper or run the heater.

Check the wiper blades: if they smear, replace them. In winter you need a clear view — especially with low sun and salt on the road.

Call us: 0172 7776606. We’re on the road 24 hours a day, in winter too. Whether it’s a flat battery, gelled diesel or a stuck vehicle — we’ll get you out.