Advice on preventing a breakdown
Friday, 05 March 2010
Under normal conditions the winter months can prove hazardous for motorists, yet as the UK struggles under the grip of the coldest winter in 30 years it is even more important that drivers know how to prevent a breakdown.
Thousands of car insurance customers each year are still failing to carry out the simple tasks which could significantly reduce the risk of their vehicles failing, potentially adding significant amounts to their breakdown insurance premiums.
So steps should be taken so you're prepared in case the unfortunate does happen and you're forced to wait at the side of the road. Advice from the Highways Agency is for motorists to carry an emergency kit in bad weather.
| Items which should be included are |
| • An ice scraper and de-icer |
| • A torch and spare batteries |
| • Warm clothes and a blanket |
| • Boots |
| • A first aid kit |
| • Jump leads |
| • Food and a warm drink |
| • A shovel |
| • A reflective warning sign |
According to the Environmental Transport Association, flat batteries are the most common cause of vehicle failure during periods of cold weather, rather than issues with the car's mechanics.
To prevent this drivers are advised against leaving their car sitting in the driveway for long periods of time. Simply driving round the block a couple of times or to the shops will help keep your car's battery charged and ensure you don't leave the house one morning to find you're unable to make it to work.
For this reason, the association also suggests ensuring that your breakdown insurance covers you at home, rather than just out on the road. Regular maintenance checks to oil and brake fluid are also recommended.
Another of the most common causes of a breakdown is flat or damaged tyres. Tyre Safe recommends checking tyre pressure at least once a month and has produced some simple guidelines for motorists.
The safety organisation advises measuring tyre pressure against the specifications in the vehicle handbook and altering the level accordingly when carrying a full load or towing. For best results, it suggests checking pressure when the tyres are cold and ensuring that all four are assessed, including the spare.
It suggested using pressure checks as an opportunity to assess the overall state of the tyres. Examine them for lumps, bulges, embedded stone or uneven wear.
Tyre Safe also recommends investing in cold weather tyres, which are better able to withstand adverse conditions, yet can still be used in the summer months.
"The tread compound in cold weather tyres contains more natural rubber to minimise the hardening effect, which gives them extra grip in cold, wet and icy conditions. This means that with cold weather tyres you will experience significantly shorter stopping distances," the organisation explained.
However, not all breakdown causes are as easy to assess.
Mechanical failures are often much harder for the average driver to fix or detect. The most common mechanical problems experienced with vehicles include alternator faults, which are indicated by dim headlights or battery problems, however more complex issues such as problems with spark plugs and clutch cables are much harder to spot.
As well as failures with the vehicle itself, human error is also a contributor to the number of vehicles which breakdown insurance providers are called out to each year.
The advanced technology of modern cars means that dealing with a lost key is often much more difficult than changing the lock. Many models require replacement keys to be obtained from a dealer, which can take a lengthy period of time. To avoid this ensure that a second set of keys is kept in a secure yet easily accessible location. It would also be an idea to see if your car insurance company provides the addition of lost car key cover which could benefit you if you were to ever lose your car keys.
Empty fuel tanks are also an easily preventable cause of breakdowns. Motorists should always ensure they have enough fuel to cover their journey, rather than relying on the fact that there will be a petrol station on route. Filling up with the wrong fuel can also cause a breakdown and may be costly to fix.
In short, small steps can massively reduce the risk of your vehicle failing, however it's always important to prepare for the worst with suitable breakdown cover. Swiftcover manages to repair 76 per cent of cars on the roadside, allowing insured drivers to travel with peace of mind and quickly continue with their onward journey.
© Adfero Ltd
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