Breakdown Cover Articles

What you need to know to reduce the risk of car breakdowns

When the weather is as cold as it is now, there can be very few things worse than having your car break down. Being stuck at the side of the road in the rain and the snow can be a real nightmare and with winter firmly upon us, it is every car owner's responsibility to make sure that their care is in the most roadworthy condition.

There are many reasons why a car should break down, and one thing for sure is that in a vast majority of the cases they could have been prevented, and preventing the discomfort and inconvenience that a car breakdown can cause.

To begin with, most UK drivers would be amazed to discover how many car breakdowns come about simply because a car runs out of petrol. Yes, that is a breakdown too, as any roadside recovery service will tell you. While it is always tempting to refuel at a garage that you are used to, it is certainly not worth the inconvenience that can be causes. So when your fuel gauge gets around the quarter full mark, it's time to get to the nearest filling station. Cars that are stuck in a five mile tailback in sub-zero temperatures will eventually run out of fuel, and nobody should ever find themselves in that situation.

Carburetor problems will rapidly occur during the cold weather, and if fuel doesn’t reach the pistons, the car will break down. This can be prevented by taking the car for a simple pre-winter check, which is best done before the freezing nights and snowy days begin. Other potential problems that are examined in pre-winter check are the electrical, steering and braking systems, as well as the state of the car's tyres and wheels.

Another area where the pre-winter test examiner should be taking a special look is the car's exhaust system. As a residue from last year's winter, most local councils will have spread salt on the roads, which can cause loads of corrosion to a car's exhaust system. The examiner will make a list of any exhaust parts that look vulnerable, and will advise on which needs to be replaced. A faulty exhaust can cause major problems to a car's performance.

Before the car winds down its pre-winter check, as a matter of procedure, anti-freeze will be added to the engine. Adding antifreeze will prevent engines seizing up in the cold and the major expense that it is likely to bring.

Without any doubt, a pre winter check up is a must for the UK car owner and doing so will go a long way to preventing that horrible feeling of being stuck by the side of the road on a cold UK winter's day or night.

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