Prepare for more bad weather with Haynes

The sun may be making brief appearances but don't think winter is over. The Met Office prediction is: some clear or sunny spells …plenty of wintry showers. Some of these will be heavy and squally and be accompanied by rain, hail, sleet or snow, and may merge at times into some longer outbreaks of wintry precipitation.

These are just the conditions which are likely to bring the most car breakdowns – which usually peak this month. The AA expects to attend up to 11,000 breakdowns a day in January.

In the current financial climate, few people want to spend £200 or more having their car recovered from a motorway – with a repair bill on top of that. Purchasing car breakdown cover can be a wise investment, yet 80 per cent of faults are sufficiently minor to be repaired at the roadside. Adding home start cover may increase the annual premium by as much as £40 but simple faults such as a flat battery are the common causes of a breakdown outside your home.

The wisest and cheapest course of action is to prepare your car (and yourself) for the forthcoming bad weather. There are simple DIY checks you can make to ensure your vehicle is as reliable as possible. They are some of the many ‘single spanner rated’ DIY tasks covered by Haynes Manuals. Haynes is the world’s leading publisher of automotive repair manuals and is renowned for teaching millions of car owners how to carry out routine maintenance and repairs. Haynes publishes manuals for more than 500 cars and vans as well as useful glovebox guides such as Your Car and Driving Abroad.

All the jobs described in Haynes manuals are rated for difficulty from one to five spanners. One-spanner jobs are easy and can be done by a novice with little experience.

Here are some of the things you can do quickly and easily:

Check the operation of all exterior lights and keep them clean. Replacing failed bulbs or fuses is usually straightforward.

Clean the windscreen and windows, inside and out, regularly. Use a cleaner intended for car glass – household window cleaners can leave a smeary film.

Check the condition of wiper blades (which are simple to replace) and windscreen washers. Keep the washer reservoir topped up and use an additive with antifreeze properties.

Each week and before long journeys, check the tyre pressures (including the spare wheel). Also check the tread depth – 1.6 mm is the legal minimum, but for good grip on wet roads, it’s better to replace tyres at no less than 2 mm.

If you expect to do a lot of driving on snow-covered roads, consider buying a spare set of wheels with tyres especially designed for these conditions. In territories such as the Alps it is a legal requirement to carry a pair of snow chains and fit them when conditions demand.

Check the level in the coolant reservoir and top up as necessary with a water/antifreeze solution. The coolant (water and antifreeze) should be changed at the specified intervals - see your vehicle handbook or Haynes manual.

Ensure the battery terminals are tight and not corroded. You may be able to get a free check of the battery and charging system at a car accessory shop or fast-fit specialist. Don’t wait for your battery to fail – replace it in good time.

Carry an emergency kit – spare fuses and bulbs, jump leads, a torch, water dispersant spray and de-icer.

On slippery roads, drive slowly, smoothly and gently. Accelerate gradually, steer gently and brake smoothly. Arrange tuition on a skid-pan through your local driving school or the Institute of Advanced Motorists.

When parking overnight in freezing conditions, leave your car in gear with the handbrake off if it is safe to do so. This will prevent the handbrake freezing in the ‘on’ position.

Now here’s a tip, similar to the many useful Haynes Hints in the Haynes Owners Workshop Manuals.

Clean the wiping edges of wiper blades with a tissue dipped in neat screen wash additive. This will help stop smearing and prolong their life.