Motorists – prepare for the worst winter in years

Thousands of motorists are likely to suffer flat batteries, frozen door locks, split radiators and seized engines. According to weather experts we should expect the most severe winter for years.

Motorists who fail to plan ahead are more likely to break down, be left stranded or be involved in an accident. The following tips will help ensure you and your vehicle is prepared this winter:

Ensure your vehicle is serviced to reduce the risk of breakdown. Hoses, drive belts and especially antifreeze levels should be checked and replaced where required. A well serviced vehicle will also be more fuel efficient too.

Check the condition of your tyres and pressures. To obtain the correct tyre pressures check when the vehicle has been stood and the tyres are cold. Use an accurate tyre pressure gauge. Over inflated tyres are especially dangerous on winter roads.

Check wiper blades, bulbs and ensure your washer bottle has winter screen wash added. Clear all car windows before leaving home. Don’t use hot water as this can crack the windscreen. Always carry windscreen deicer and an ice scraper.

Carry warm clothes, a blanket, a pair of boots with a good grip, a torch, a chocolate bar and a flask if you are going on a long journey. It’s worth packing a shovel just in case you get stuck. Always let someone know where you are travelling and if possible carry a fully charged mobile phone.

Mail order specialist, Carparts-direct.co.uk supplies a range of products to help keep motorists out of trouble this winter. According to the supplier its best selling item is a fully waterproof car cover to protect against frost and snow. The company claim battery boosters, battery chargers, quick fit snow chains, tyre pressure compressors, wiper blades and up-rated headlamp bulbs are selling better than at any time in the last 10 years.

Mark Cornwall of Carparts-direct.co.uk said: "We have had a decade of mild winters and we think this year is going to take some motorists by surprise. Young motorists are especially at risk. They have never seen a really severe winter and don’t know what to expect. We are more likely to be supplying them with breakdown parts like radiators, hoses, belts and gasket sets because they fail to prepare."