Winter breakdowns: flat batteries, ice and snow
Updated
Quick answer
Winter breakdowns are mostly flat batteries, tyres and getting stuck. Check your battery, tyres and screenwash before the cold sets in, keep a small winter kit in the car, and if you're stuck in snow, stay with the vehicle and keep the exhaust clear if you run the engine for heat.
Why cars break down more in winter
- Cold weather reduces a battery's power just when the engine needs more to start. Older batteries often fail on the first frosty morning.
- Short journeys with lights, heater and wipers on don't give the battery time to recharge.
- Tyres with low tread or low pressure lose grip on wet and icy roads.
Before the cold sets in
- Have your battery tested if it's four or five years old or more, or if the engine sounds slow to start.
- Check tyre tread and pressures (including the spare).
- Top up screenwash with a winter mix, and check the wipers.
- Check coolant (antifreeze) is at the right level.
A winter kit for the car
- Phone charger or power bank
- Torch, hi-vis vest and a warm coat or blanket
- Ice scraper and de-icer
- Water and a snack
- A small shovel and something for grip (an old mat or cat litter), if you live somewhere rural
Stuck in snow or ice
Pull away gently in second gear to reduce wheelspin, and don't rev hard: it digs the wheels in deeper. Clear snow from around the driven wheels if it's safe.
If you're stuck and waiting, stay with the vehicle where it's safe to do so. If you run the engine for heat, make sure the exhaust pipe is clear of snow, and open a window slightly: a blocked exhaust can fill the car with carbon monoxide.
When to call us
Flat battery? We'll come and jump start it. Stuck, or won't start after a jump? We'll recover it to your home or a garage. See our prices.