Breakdown Cover Articles

Don't be caught cold

The UK is going through one of its coldest spells in living memory, and anyone setting out on a journey these days should be asking themselves if it really is necessary. Even though a driver could have been taking the same route to work for years, the driving conditions and challenges that they will be asked to face under the present situation will more than likely be as bad as anything they have ever experienced.

Any driver that needs to make a road trip no matter how short or how they know the route shouldn't set off before they have made a check list of how they and their care should be equipped before they set off.

They should make sure that tyres are correctly inflated correctly and any tires that are showing even the most premature should be changed, as coping with icy and slippery conditions will require that tyres be in tip-top condition.

The car's battery will be under the strictest of tests, and if it has not been run for a while may have lost a lot of its charge. For diesel engine cars the battery needs to be in perfect condition to help the engine turn over in freezing temperatures. Cars can stall when waiting in line and the battery needs to be up to the task.

To cope with these almost impossible driving conditions, a driver has to make sure that they keep certain items or pieces of equipment that will help them to make the winter driving experience bearable. To begin with they should always make sure that they have a powerful screenwash in their windscreen washing container, with reserves in the car in case they run out. If a truck overtakes and sends a sheet of mud and slush onto a car's windscreen, it can prove to be a lifesaver.

Other items to keep in the car that can prove to be very necessary over this cold winter will include the following:

• A set of jump leads ( to help or be helped)
• A sack of grit or sand
• A small shovel
• Some WD40 ( to unfreeze locks)
• Something that can be used to scrape ice from the windscreen without scratching it
• A powerful torch with spare batteries
• A flask of coffee or soup
• A Mobile phone in case you need to call out your emergency breakdown service

These are difficult times, and being prepared for them, will mean that the a journey can be as safe as possible under the circumstances.

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