Looking back over the last twelve month period, the AA reports that last December was the busiest month for their Patrols with call outs volumes tracking 26% higher than June which was their quietest month. They also report that on average each winter, a third of their call outs are as a result of flat or completely exhausted batteries, a headache it says motorists can avoid with a little preventative maintenance.
“While winter temperatures in Ireland are typically closer to what you’d find in a fridge than a freezer, your car’s heater will still be in constant use,” Noel Keogh, Head of AA Rescue says. “Your headlights will naturally be on a lot more too placing a higher demand on your car battery than at other times of the year. If your battery is due for replacement or is any way weak it’s very likely to struggle on a cold day.”
The AA is also quick to point out safety issues which are heightened during winter months largely due to ground frost which typically occurs as often as 100 days of the year in low land areas.
It is particularly encouraging drivers to pay attention to brake performance and their tyres.
Of a sample of 1,000 vehicles serviced by the AA within the last twelve months, 51% were identifies as requiring repairs to one or more of the components within their vehicle’s braking system either within a reasonably short interval or in the more dangerous cases, immediately.
“Slick roads can magnify brake system problems, so it's important to have brakes inspected at least annually during your car service.” Advises Noel Keogh, Head of AA Rescue. “Warning signs to watch out for are the need to apply more pressure than usual to your brake pedal, scraping, squeaking or chirping noises that come from the wheels when the brakes are applied or a car that pulls to the left or the right when braking.”
The AA is also advising motorists to check the thread depth and pressure of their tyres following a poll of over 12,000 motorists conducted this time last year which revealed that a third of drivers rarely, if ever, check their tyres. This figure was slightly higher among female with 37% indicating they never really remember to do it.
While the minimum legal requirement for tyre thread depth is 1.6mm in Ireland the AA recommends replacing your tyre when the thread depth falls below 3mm. It also advises drivers to pay particular attention to their tyre pressure as cold weather can cause it to drop.
On a positive, the AA reports that the country has a more than adequate supply of road salt on hand this year if the worst does happen. There are stocks of 210,000 tonnes of salt already in place, 3.5 times the amount normally required, and logistics have improved as well.
“The weather can always surprise you of course, but we are ready for it,” says Keogh.
Other winter specific maintenance the AA is recommending includes:
Checking of your antifreeze (the liquid in your radiator): Anti freeze plays an important role in your car’s cooling system and prevents liquids within that system from freezing to a solid state during winter. It’s important to make sure the level is full and the mixture is close to 50/50.
Replacing of your wiper blades: The average set of wipers blades should last about a year, so if you’ve had yours a while, now is a good time to have them replaced so you’re equipped to clear winters grime and dirt.
Cleaning of your windscreen and making sure your washer fluid is topped up: The glow of winter’s low sun can be pretty dazzling and dangerous to drive in when your windscreen is smeared and dirty. So make sure to give your windscreen a good clean inside and out. It’s also good to use proper washer fluid rather than just water as it won’t freeze when temperatures drop.
Checking of your lights: See and be seen, keep your indicators and headlamps clean and working.
Preparing of a winter driving kit: Now is a good time of year to put together a winter driving kit if you don’t already have one including the likes of a deicer and scraper, small fold away shovel, demisting cloth, sand or other traction aid and so on so that you’re equipped for all winter driving conditions.
While the AA points out winter specific jobs, it also encourages drivers to make car maintenance a year round thing referring them to their full car maintenance check list under the motoring section of their website. They claim that women are more likely to neglect winter maintenance checks than men.
It also advises that a winter driving advice zone is available at: www.aaireland.ie/AA/Winter-Zone/Driving.aspx
