Why Wont You Start You Bastard

~ ~The winter season is upon us once again, and with it invariably comes trouble with our motor vehicles.
How many of you have had the awful experience of sitting into your car in the driveway on a cold, wet, miserable winter’s morning, and turning the ignition, only for your trusty steed to groan feebly and steadfastly refuse to start? (I know I have!!)
Or making your weary way home after a hard day’s toil, in anticipation of a lovely refreshing bath or shower, and getting your feet up in front of the fire with the telly or a good book, only for your chariot to grind to an ignominious halt at the roadside?
It’s an awful experience, isn’t it, but one that can so easily be avoided (in a lot of cases) if only some sensible precautions and preventative measures are taken.
Winter also brings a rash of minor (and major) bumps, scrapes and accidents on our highways. But again, by being better prepared, you can easily lessen the chance of being involved in a traffic accident considerably.

~ ~ The first ESSENTIAL is to ensure that your car is serviced on a regular basis. This might seem unnecessary advice, but believe me, the number of motorists that drive on regardless, never once thinking of the state of their oil, (the lifeblood of your engine!) plugs, or filters, is simply unbelievable.
If a car is not serviced regularly and properly, then it WILL give you trouble, believe me. It is even more essential during the winter period that you service your car regularly, as far more strain is placed on the engine and electrical systems than during the summer months. A car that has been well serviced is FAR less likely to give you serious problems or break down than one that last had its bonnet opened when Noah was coming out of the Ark!
If the main dealer for your particular model of car is too expensive, (they usually are!!) then ask around your friends, workmates, and relatives to locate a good, reliable mechanic, who will often do a better job than the main dealers, and at a fraction of the cost. I have my own ‘little magician’, a young lad who lives locally to me, (walking distance) and who has dug me out of trouble on innumerable occasions, and at very reasonable rates. So shop around until you find a good mechanic that you like, and then cultivate the relationship.
This doesn’t apply to those of you driving newish cars that are still under the manufacturer’s warranty. One of the many ‘rip offs’ (my opinion) perpetuated by the motor industry, is that you MUST return to a registered main dealer in order to have any work carried out on your car, or risk losing your warranty. This is one of the reasons (expense and government taxes being the others) that I tend to buy only used cars that are out of warranty, so that I am not suckered into this money making scam.
I also change my oil and oil filter every 6,000 miles. (most manufacturers recommend every 10,000 or 12,000 miles) This is because I tend to do a lot of city and start/stop driving, which is much harder on the oil than if you do a lot of motorway and distance driving. And I only use the best oil available. (synthetic)
Granted it’s more expensive, but it pays dividends in the long run in terms of reduced major repairs, and in the longevity of your engine.

~ ~ Another major cause of breakdowns is dead (or dying) batteries.
During the winter we tend to put far more strain on our batteries, by running the heater, windscreen wipers, radio, the heated rear windscreen, and our headlights, often all at the same time. So if your alternator isn’t up to scratch, (this re-charges the battery) then you can actually be using more energy than you are creating, even when your car engine is running.
Most car batteries have a lifespan of about 4 years, so if your battery is approaching the end of its useful life, then perhaps it’s time to start thinking about purchasing a new one.

~ ~ Check that all your lights and indicators are working properly, and if a bulb needs replacing, then get it done.
The more visible you are in dark, poorly lit conditions, then the less likelihood there is of someone simply not seeing you. Personally, I run on dipped headlights even during daylight hours in winter conditions.

~ ~ The best bet in winter conditions is to always try to do everything in the car that little bit more slowly and deliberately.
Don’t accelerate so fiercely, and change gears smoothly and at low revs.
And try not to put yourself in a situation where you have to take drastic evasive action, as it’s always easier to AVOID going into a skid, than trying to get out of one once you have lost control of the car.
And stay alert. A lot of people tend to have their heater turned up full in cold or wet weather, and to drive with the all the windows tightly closed. This is OK if you have air-conditioning, but if you haven’t it will very quickly make you drowsy and less alert, and hence more liable to make a stupid mistake.
Adjust the heater until you are comfortable, and always leave a window cracked open slightly to allow fresh air to circulate in the vehicle.