Plummeting temperatures in the UK have caught countless drivers out this winter and highlighted the need for car maintenance. The poor driving conditions have led to record demand for breakdown assistance, according to the RAC, which said that Monday was 'officially our busiest day for breakdowns on record'.
Rod Dennis, a spokesperson for the motoring organisation, said that there were around 12,000 drivers needing help - 'the equivalent of eight every minute of the day'. He added: "Even our busiest day during the infamous Beast from the East in 2018 didn’t see as many people breaking down."
The reason for the peak? Well, according to Rod: “We believe two key ingredients have combined to create the worst-ever winter breakdown cocktail – a sustained period of cold weather with an absence of widespread snow that would otherwise keep people indoors, and a big rise in the number of drivers who can’t afford to maintain their vehicles as well as they’d like to due to the pandemic and the cost of living crisis."
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Prioritising safety is a must for drivers and everyone can do their bit. From reading up on tips to preparing your car, there's lots drivers can do to help keep everyone safe.
An auto expert at Dick Lovett revealed to the Mirror the mistakes drivers can make when preparing their cars for snow and ice - including a common oversight which is all to do with how you dilute your screenwash. While nobody should need reminding just how important washer fluid is, some may forget you need to change the dilution ratio depending on the time of the year.
The expert said: "Too much water could end up freezing your windscreen washer system, as dilution ratios for winter weather are completely different from the summer." Your best bet is to follow the instructions on the bottle, but the expert also has advice for checking you are using the right amount of water.
"To prevent freezing you should check the suggested dilution ratios that may be provided on the bottle, otherwise, a good rule of thumb is to ensure your solution is more concentrated during the winter period." Other important tips include checking your tyres regularly and checking your wipers for tears. You should also avoid using windshield wipers to remove ice, snow or frost as this can cause tears in your wiper blades, according to the pros.
The expert advises using a scraper, instead. You'll also want to avoid using boiling water. "Defrost your windows and windscreen correctly- using boiling water directly on the glass could cause it to crack. Instead, try heating your windscreen from the inside of the car and using a scraper, or de-icer," the expert said.
What's more, it is worth prepping an SOS snow kit, in case something goes awry despite your preparations. The RAC's Rod Dennis confirmed: "Before setting out, allow some more time to de-ice and de-mist your vehicle thoroughly.
"Anyone still wondering if it’s worthwhile carrying an emergency winter pack with them should imagine how it must have felt for drivers stuck on the M25 for eight hours yesterday. Carrying warm clothing layers – including a waterproof jacket – as well as a blanket, sturdy footwear, a flask of hot drink and power bank to keep phones charged are all extremely important.”
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