Now that the weather is turning bitterly cold and winter is just around the corner, drivers across the country need to start preparing for the changing conditions. Winter brings a number of risks and challenges for drivers, but many common issues can actually be avoided.
To help get your prepared, here, you’ll discover how 5 common winter vehicle issues can easily be avoided.
Battery troubles
Battery related troubles are by far one of the most common winter vehicle issues you’ll experience. According to statistics, there’s a 1.8% increased chance the battery will fail in winter. This is because as the weather becomes colder, it causes the car’s battery to start losing more power; in turn making it work harder upon starting up.
It’s worth switching off electrical items within the vehicle such as the heater and headlights whenever possible to avoid draining the battery.
Worn down windscreen wipers
Your windscreen wipers can go through a lot of wear and tear in winter, causing them to become worn down. To avoid this, you may want to think about investing in winter windscreen wipers.
Slippery tyres
One of the most dangerous issues you’ll face in winter is slippery tyres. Caused by a worn-down tread, the tyres can become extremely slippery in icy conditions. So, it’s paramount you ensure there’s plenty of grip remaining and to replace the tyres if needed. You may even want to consider using winter tyres instead of your standard ones.
Cracked or broken wing mirror
A cracked or broken wing mirror is actually a very common problem in winter. It’s largely caused by drivers losing control over their vehicle in icy conditions. The wing mirror is usually the first part of your car to become damaged in a collision. The easy way to avoid this is to drive slower and more carefully during icy weather.
Broken alternator belt
One of the more expensive problems you could be faced with is a broken alternator belt. Now, this can be one of the more expensive problems to fix so if it does end up broken and there’s other niggling issues, it could be worth investing in a new car this winter from a company like Peter Vardy. However, if you want to try and prevent it, avoid driving in deep waters and keep a listen out for squeaking when you brake. It could be the alternator belt just needs adjusting.
So, there you have it – 5 of the most common vehicle issues drivers face in the winter. Each can be avoided if you follow the advice above, though if your car is pretty old, you may want to consider investing in a new one as they are less likely to break down on you in the winter.
