Breakdown Tips
The last two winters have seen some of the coldest weather conditions for the past 30 years, so it’s important to make sure you are prepared for whatever the British weather can throw at you.
That’s why the ETA has produced this simple guide to help you prepare your car for the winter, and has information on what to do if your car or van does breakdown.
1. A STEP by step guide to preparing your car for winter
A = Antifreeze
During the winter you will use more windscreen wiper fluid so make sure that you add anti-freeze or windscreen washer fluid anti-freeze mix to your car’s water bottle – you don’t want to find yourself stuck behind a lorry trying to clean your windows only to find your washer liquid has frozen.
S = Survival Kit
Consider carrying a winter driving Survival Kit that will make your life easier when starting the car should the worst happen. The ETA suggests: a torch, ice scraper, windscreen de-icer, starter cables, a small shovel, some extra windscreen washer fluid, non-perishable food (our favourite at the ETA is Kendal Mintcake), blanket, first aid kit and a tow rope.
T = Tyres
Checking the condition of your tyres is important throughout the year, but when there’s snow and ice on the road it’s vital. When checking your tyres first make sure that the tyre treads are the correct depth – the ETA recommends a tread depth of more than 3 mm for winter. Secondly, make sure the tyres are inflated correctly as the cold weather can lower tyre pressure.
E = Electrics
Many people don’t realise that the most common cause of breakdown during the winter is battery failure. Most car batteries don’t last more than 5 years, so if your battery is older than this get it checked by a local garage. If you feel your battery is struggling to start your car then charge it overnight.
P = Petrol
Keep your fuel tank toped up in the winter as you never know when you’re going to need that extra fuel. If you are passing a garage and the gauge is nearing red – fill up. Try to conserve fuel if you’re stuck in traffic don’t just sit with your engine on – run it enough to make sure you are warm, then turn it off.
2. Driving in the winter
Winter driving can be more hazardous; rain and snow make the roads slippery and less forgiving creating dangerous situations. Also other drivers can be slower to respond to situations, adding to the risk.
Before you set out on your journey, check the weather forecast and warnings about ice, strong winds, fog and floods. Allow yourself plenty of time.
Plan your route, making sure that you use main roads as these are more likely to be gritted if there is snow or ice on the roads. If you are using a satnav check it’s not going to send you down minor roads and have a map as a back-up.
Never leave your car running with the keys in the ignition and the heater on, instead get a warm drink and stay in the car and tune in to the traffic conditions on the radio.
Don’t start driving until you have cleared all your windows, mirrors and lights.
The key to driving in the winter are stay alert, slow down and stay in control
Stay alert – to the driving conditions as things can change quickly, so make sure you keep your wits about you.
Slow down – put more space between you and other cars in case you need to stop quickly as stopping distances double on wet roads and are 10 times longer on icy ones.
Stay in control – Ease up on the accelerator pedal if your car starts to slip.
3. What to do if the worst happens
Even if you have done all you can to prepare your car for winter and are an experienced driver, it’s important to have breakdown cover – it costs at least £105 to remove your car from the motorway if you are towed by the police.
Breakdowns on Minor roads
Be aware of any problems with your car – don’t ignore warning lights, it’s better to pull over in a safe place than risk carrying on and doing more damage to your car.
Make sure where you stop is safe and does not obstruct the road,
Turn your hazard lights on so other road users are aware of you.
Call us – our average response time is forty minutes, but we aim to get to you within the hour. If we don’t, we’ll offer you a £10 refund
Stay in your car – don’t be tempted to find help as this can be very dangerous in bad weather.
Stay warm – cover yourself up with an blanket. Run your engie every twenty minutes to keep the inside of the car warm.
Breakdowns on Motorways
If your car does develop a fault when you are driving on the motorway try if possible to leave at the next exit or service station
If you are unable to exit, carefully pull onto the hard shoulder and pull in as far as you can. Switch on your hazard lights on
Get yourself and any passengers out by your nearside (left side) doors and move away from the road.
Don’t try and fix the problem yourself as this can be dangerous even if it is something simple like fixing a puncture.
Do not stand behind or in front of your car, if possible try to climb any banking as you will be safer up there.
Use the motorway emergency phone (they are placed every half a mile and marker posts with arrows will tell where the nearest phone is).
Do not get back into the car, but stay on the embankment, or as far away from the traffic as possible and for help to arrive.
Do you have Breakdown Cover?
ETA offer award winning breakdown cover from as little at £29