Do you know how to start your car in the winter?
Posted by Fiona Birkwood
It may seem like a silly question, but it is one that is certainly worth asking, as colder temperatures can have a massive impact on your vehicle so it is important to treat it right and protect it against the dangers cold weather poses.
One of the most common things you see and hear people doing is turning their ignition, starting the engine and letting it "warm up" before setting off.
And for years it was the case that warming up an engine was necessary, particularly when the mercury plummets below zero, but in modern cars this is simply not true.
Simon Elstow, the head of driver training at the Institute of Advanced Motorists, recently said that drivers should only start the engine when they are ready to set off of if they are using the demister or heater to remove condensation. If your windscreen is clear there is no need to "warm up" you car.
Caroline Holmes, spokeswoman for the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), backed up Mr Elstow and suggested that letting an engine run will simply waste fuel, which nobody needs as the prices are so high.
When the snow comes, possibly later this month if forecasts are to be believed, make sure you completely clear your vehicle of snow, not just the windows.
Clearing snow of your roof and bonnet will save you fuel as you won't be carrying around the extra weight and it will prevent snow sliding down in front of your windscreen when you brake, which can impair visibility dramatically, as well as causing a hazard for other road users.
Elstow said: "Spending time to prepare your car for the weather conditions is important so that it copes well throughout your journey. Now is the time to check the battery and that your screen wash is the antifreeze version."
