A MOTORS expert has shared their top tips to make sure your car starts fast on chilly winter mornings.
As the weather turns icy and the temperature dips below freezing it can play havoc with your vehicle.
GettyMotors experts from the RAC shared their top tips for getting your car started in the cold[/caption]
Many drivers are all too familiar with that sinking feeling when you try and fire up the car for the commute or school run but all you get is coughing and spluttering in return.
The problem has been eased over the years with things like electronic fuel injection and environmental sensors, but it can still be devil to deal with in winter.
Fortunately, the expert team over at the RAC have explained how you can beat the deep freeze.
They warned: “Cold temperatures affect the chemical process inside the battery and reduce its ability to hold a charge.
“It also thickens engine oil, increasing friction in the starter motor and forcing it to work harder.
“Rubber on windscreen wipers can become brittle and prone to damage, tyres can deflate as the temperature of the air inside drops and contracts and, of course, your windscreen can ice over.”
If your car fails to start in the morning, the team advise following a four-step process to try and fix the issue.
First, turn of all electronic components, including the radio and infotainment system, to allow as much power as possible to go to the starter motor.
Then, check your battery leads for any signs of corrosion, which usually comes in the form of a crusty white substance on the cable.
If you see this, you can clean it off yourself using a toothbrush, rubber gloves and goggles.
Always disconnect the wires, beginning with the negative terminal and then dip the brush in a solution of baking soda and water to clear away the deposits.
Then reconnect the wires, again being sure to start with the negative to avoid electric shocks.
It may slow you down but it’s a 15 minute job compared to waiting all day with your car out of action and paying for a battery replacement.
If there is no corrosion then make sure your oil is topped up to the correct level.
As an extra tip, it’s always best to switch to a thinner grade of oil in winter but check your owner’s handbook to see which grades your engine can take.
Finally, get back in the car and press the clutch as you turn the ignition to lighten the load on the battery – this should give it the best chance of starting up.
However, for older cars, an extra step is required.
If your motor is more than about 30 years old it will likely have a carburettor rather than fuel injection.
This is a mechanical device which relies on atmospheric pressure to mix air and fuel rather than an electronic compressor.
In the cold, when air pressure is low, it is harder to get the mixture right so try pressing the accelerator while keeping the clutch depressed.
This will push a little fuel into the system and make it easier to get the combustion process started.
It comes after another expert revealed a crucial rule for driving in wintry conditions.
Meanwhile, a mechanic of over 20 years shared some of the craziest requests he’s received – including a customer who asked to have their brakes cut.