17 November 2011

How to start your car in the bleak midwinter

Driver training specialist IAM Drive & Survive's head of training, Simon Elstow, this week advises on how to prepare a cold car before you set off.

His six tips to avoid seasonal car problems are:

* Don't switch on the engine until you are ready to go; a modern car does not need to warm the engine up. Do put the engine on if you need to run the heater/demister before you move.

* Clean your windows inside and out - a dirty screen will cause the windows to mist up much quicker.

* Clean any snow off the car's roof and bonnet as well as windows.

* When you get in the car, make sure all the extra electrical things are turned off before you try starting it (lights, heater, etc).

* When you're ready to go, switch the engine and heater on (air con if you have fitted, it keeps the screen dry) so that the windows don't steam up.

* Use the 'ice' setting if your car has one.

He advises now is the time to check the battery and that your screen wash is the antifreeze version.