AN expert mechanic with over 50 years of experience has revealed why you should never drive in freezing temperatures.
As the Met Office warns of a -10C deep freeze this week, drivers have been warned to stay off the roads where possible.
Scotty Kilmer urged drivers to ‘stay at home’ in freezing conditionsYouTube/Scotty Kilmer
Motors whizz Scotty Kilmer urged motorists not to risk unnecessary journeys when the mercury drops below zero.
This, he explained, is due to the prospect of ice on the roads, making even short trips a treacherous affair.
He told The Sun Online: “If it’s icy don’t drive anywhere.
“Nothing can drive on ice, I don’t care what kind of traction control system you have.
“If there’s ice, stay at home, don’t drive anywhere.
“If you’re stuck somewhere rent a hotel room, you’ll be killed driving on ice…it’s just too dangerous.”
The only exception was for those who have invested in studded tyres, which can give enough grip to deal with at least smaller ice patches.
However, given that these start from about £130 per tyre at the bottom end on eBay, it likely isn’t worth picking up a set unless it is absolutely vital.
Instead, try and rely on public transport or simply stay at home where possible.
This is particularly relevant for rural drivers who may be cut off from major routes by frosty weather.
It is less of a concern in large cities, where most main roads are layered with grit to clear the ice.
But that comes with its own risk, as Scotty explained it can damage your car when the weather turns warmer again.
He revealed that, when the heat returns and the ice melts, the resulting water mixes with the salt grit to create a corrosive acid solution that can eat away at your motor’s metal components.
Failure to wash grit off before this happens could see major parts rusting away, costing you hundreds in repair bills.
And even on salted roads, black ice is still a concern, with driving experts sharing the “best defence” against the invisible hazard earlier this week.
It comes after drivers were alerted to an amazing £1.99 hack to stop ice forming inside their cars.