Winter Breakdown Prevention – 9 Ways To Avoid Getting Stranded In The Cold

2 Check Your Tyres

Cold weather reduces tyre pressure. Under-inflated tyres overheat, wear unevenly, and are more likely to blow out. Winter roads are also wetter, icier, and more slippery.

Checklist for winter tyres:

• Check tyre pressure – Every 2 weeks in winter. Check when tyres are cold.
• Check tread depth – Minimum 1.6mm (legal). 3mm+ recommended for winter.
• Check for damage – Cuts, bulges, cracks. Cold makes rubber brittle.
• Consider winter tyres – If you drive in rural/snowy areas.
• Check spare tyre – Before winter. Many drivers forget.

20p test for tread depth: Insert a 20p coin into the tyre tread. If you can't see the outer band of the coin, your tread is above 1.6mm (legal minimum). For winter, aim for 3mm+.

If you get a flat tyre in winter, call us – it's safer than changing it yourself on a cold, dark road.

3 Check Your Antifreeze & Coolant

Antifreeze (coolant) stops your engine from freezing in winter and overheating in summer. If the concentration is too weak, coolant can freeze – causing catastrophic engine damage.

Checklist for antifreeze:

• Check coolant level – Engine cold. Reservoir should be between min and max marks.
• Check antifreeze strength – Use a coolant hydrometer (£5-10 from Halfords).
• Minimum protection – -20°C (most UK winters only need -20°C).
• Recommended protection – -30°C to -35°C (safe for extreme cold snaps).
• Replace every 2-3 years – Antifreeze degrades over time.

4 Check Your Lights

Winter means fewer daylight hours. You'll use your lights more. One failed bulb can be dangerous – and illegal.

• Headlights (dipped & main beam) – Check weekly.
• Rear lights – Check weekly against a wall or reflection.
• Brake lights – Check weekly (ask someone to help).
• Indicators – Check weekly while hazards are on.
• Fog lights – Check monthly.
• Number plate lights – Check monthly (required by law).

Keep spare bulbs in your car. If you're pulled over for a light fault, you could get a fixed penalty notice (£50-£100). Replace bulbs immediately.

5 Check Your Windscreen & Wipers

Good visibility is critical in winter. Low sun, rain, snow, and road salt all reduce visibility.

• Replace worn wiper blades – Streaks and chattering mean you can't see properly.
• Top up washer fluid – Use winter washer fluid (rated to -20°C or lower).
• Clear ice properly – Use a scraper or de-icer. Never pour hot water on a frozen windscreen (it can crack).
• Check for chips and cracks – Cold makes cracks worse.

6 Check Your Heating & Demisting

A working heater is essential for winter – not just for comfort, but for demisting your windscreen.

• Heater blows hot air – Turn to hot after engine warms up. If cold = possible heater matrix issue.
• Front demister works – Air should blow onto the windscreen.
• Rear demister works – Look for the orange lines. They should clear frost/condensation.
• Air conditioning works – AC dries the air, which demists faster. Run it occasionally in winter.

If your heater isn't working in winter, it's miserable and dangerous (you can't demist the windscreen). Call a garage – or call us for recovery to a garage.

7 Pack A Winter Emergency Kit

Even with perfect preparation, breakdowns can still happen. A winter emergency kit could save your life if you're stranded in the cold.

For a complete printable checklist, see our emergency breakdown checklist.