AN EXPERT has revealed a hack for figuring out why your car won’t start in cold conditions.
Motor whizzes at the RAC warned drivers they should listen out for a particular noise when turning the engine on.
Snow and ice can trigger issues with brakes, transmission fluid, motor oils and even tire pressure – but there’s another crucial part that can be impacted.
Car batteries often fail as temperatures plummet, according to the breakdown service provider.
The experts said: “If your car won’t start in cold conditions, by far the most likely cause is the battery.
“It may just be as simple as jump starting it or recharging the battery – let’s look at the symptoms.”
To diagnose the problem yourself, listen out for noises when you turn the ignition on.
If you hear a “faint whining noise”, it’s likely your battery has gone flat.
And, if there’s complete silence when you turn the key, it could mean the battery is completely dead.
“Further signs of a completely flat battery include the ignition lights on the dashboard failing to illuminate, and the car refusing to unlock via remote central locking,” the experts continued.
“Cold temperatures affect the chemical process that produces and stores electricity inside the battery, slowing the battery down and reducing its ability to hold a charge.
“Knowing how to charge car batteries can help you get out of a difficult situation without immediate need for a mechanic.”
The RAC said while you can jump start your car, they would suggest drivers use the company’s own Battery Fitting Service.
Meanwhile, to avoid the issue altogether, the breakdown experts advice charging the batter one a week – especially if it is more than three years old.
This comes as another expert shared a hot water hack to help with frozen windscreens this winter.
Experts warn that when the mercury plummets, you must use a quality screen wash effective in temperatures as low as -20C.
Don’t be tempted to dilute the solution with water, and avoid pre-mixed varieties that might not provide sufficient protection against the big freeze.
If you’ve already been caught out and your screen wash bottle is frozen solid, there’s a simple solution that won’t cost you a penny.
Pour hot water, not boiling, directly into the filler bottle to help thaw the frozen liquid.
It’s a quick fix that’ll get your system back in working order without resorting to pricey products.
Plus, many cars now have a button designed to help them tackle snow and ice, called “snow mode”.
This function is usually accessed by a dashboard button or by turning the selector knob in models with multiple driving modes.
In practice, it modifies several aspect of the drivetrain in order to provide better stability.
First of all, it reduces the amount of power available to the engine and the sensitivity of the accelerator pedal.
This makes it much harder to accidentally lay down too much power, which can send you into a spin.
The button also restricts the engine speed via the transmission and distributes torque more evenly to prevent the wheels from losing grip.
Owners of all-wheel drive models will feel the benefits of this most, but it is also effective for two-wheel drive cars.
