Having a breakdown is never a nice experience. When it happens in the winter months a roadside breakdown can be particularly distressing. The recent cold snap has seen an increased number of roadside breakdowns on Irish roads. Here are some tips on how to avoid motoring breakdowns, meaning you don't have to call your car insurance company for roadside assistance.
1. Check Your Battery/Electrics
Lights, heaters and wipers all put extra strain on the car battery. If the car is mainly driven in the dark and in rush hour traffic the battery may die completely. Batteries generally don't have a lifetime of more than 5 years so it is important to change it when necessary to avoid it packing up. Avoid leaving your vehicle's electrics running longer than necessary turn off heaters when the car is heated and turn off rear window heater off when the window is clear this will help ease the strain on the battery.
2. Make Sure You Have Antifreeze
Antifreeze is essential for keeping your engine block free from ice damage. Antifreeze will only set you back a few Euro, a cracked engine block will cost considerably more to repair. The majority of modern cars use long-life antifreeze, and it is absolutely essential that you don't mix these with other types as this can cause a sludge to form in the engine. If you're not sure what type of antifreeze is in your car, take it to a dealer or a mechanic.
3. Check Your Tyres
Check all your vehicle's tyres for pressure, condition and thread depth. At least 3mm of thread depth is recommended for winter driving and no less than 2mm. Snowy and icy conditions can lead to more rapid deterioration of tyres so it is important to check them regularly. Make sure you have a working jack and wheel brace and have the ability to change a tyre. If tyres are in poor condition even the slightest incline will cause difficulty for your vehicle and the handling will be compromised too.
4. Make Sure You Have Enough Fuel!
This seems pretty obvious but there has been an increase in people calling road side assistance after running out of fuel. Running low on fuel can be a real problem when driving during winter as there is increased congestion and traffic inevitably will be moving slower.
Hopefully some of these tips will help you prevent a breakdown this winter. If the worst happens and you do break down make sure you have adequate roadside assistance from your car insurance company.