Drivers urged to ‘listen’ when they start | Tech News
All drivers will know how important it’s to all the time guarantee your car is in good situation. But within the UK, this is not all the time as straightforward because it sounds – particularly during winter.
The colder months can wreak havoc on our vehicles, and though we’re now in February, we’re not out of the woods fairly but. Ongoing low temperatures and damp situations can considerably affect varied elements of your vehicle’s operation. But realizing what cold climate checks to do and remembering how to do them may be complicated.
Matthew Briggs, CEO at Right Fuel Card, has put collectively a information of probably the most important cold climate duties all drivers must be conscious of.
He says there’s one factor that is the ‘most common trigger’ of a winter breakdown – however being actually observant when you start the car can help you to pinpoint any potential points earlier than they crop up.
Matthew defined: “Battery problems are one of the most common causes of winter breakdowns. Cold weather reduces battery efficiency, especially if your car goes unused for a day or two.”
“When beginning your car, listen to how the engine turns over. If it begins slowly or struggles to start, this may be a signal of a weak battery. Dim headlights or dashboard lights also can point out battery points.”
If you want to carry out a basic visual check, open the bonnet and look for corrosion around the battery terminals, which appears as a white or bluish powder. Loose connections can also cause starting problems.
Matthew added: “If your battery is more than three to 5 years previous, otherwise you discover repeated beginning points, be sure to have it checked by a skilled earlier than it fails utterly.”
But it’s not just your car’s battery that can suffer during the winter. Tyres are another very important safety component, so it’s crucial to take good care of them.
Matthew said: “Cold temperatures may cause tyre strain to drop, whereas moist or icy roads increase the need for good grip.”
A quick way to make sure your tyres are in good condition is to check the pressure. The pro explained: “Start by checking tyre strain utilizing a tyre strain gauge or an air pump at a fuel station. Compare the studying with the producer’s beneficial strain, normally discovered inside the motive force’s door body or within the vehicle handbook. Every tyre will need to be checked, together with a spare when you have one.”
“Next, check tread depth. You can do this using a tread depth gauge or the edge of a 20p coin. If the coin’s outer rim is visible when placed in the tread, your tyres may be too worn. Although the legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm, winter driving is safer with more tread, allowing for more tread on wet or icy roads.”
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