When bracing yourself to head out in the cold in the morning or evening, the last thing you need is your reliable vehicle not starting.

Whether you’re trying to get to work or drop the children off at school during freezing temperatures, having a car that won’t budge off the drive or road can cause a lot of disruption to plans.

Recently, the AA revealed the top five reasons why their patrols were called out in winter from December to February. They were as follows:

  • Battery-related (24%)
  • Tyres (16%)
  • Intake and emissions (8%)
  • Starter and alternator faults (6%)
  • Locks and alarms (5%)

The AA said: “Winter car problems range from issues with the fuel intake, like faulty pumps and fuel injectors, to electrical problems with locking systems.”

Let's take a look at what could be stopping your car from starting in the colder months of the year and what you should do.

Why is my battery dead in cold weather?

Battery-related issues were the biggest cause for cars not starting in the cold.

The AA commented: “The top reason for cars breaking down in cold weather is battery problems. That's because cold weather affects the chemical process inside your car battery, making it harder for the battery to hold a charge."

How to drive safely in snow and ice

You can prevent flat batteries in the cold weather by:

  • Driving more
  • Switch off any other electricals
  • Perform a visual check of the battery

Does cold weather affect tyres?

“In cold weather, tyres are much more likely to lose pressure,” explains the AA.

“Low-pressure warning lights are a much more common occurrence in the winter months.

“If left unchecked, you’ll slowly notice that your tyres cause performance issues, such as reduced traction, responsiveness in steering, and increased braking distances.”

To prevent tyre damage in cold weather, you can:

  • Make sure to check your tyres often for any damage/punctures
  • Increase tyre pressure if needed
  • If tyres are old, get them replaced for peace of mind

Does cold weather affect fuel consumption?

The AA said: “You might have noticed that your vehicle doesn’t manage as much range when it comes to fuel economy in the colder weather. This is because engines need a higher base amount of fuel just to ignite the engine and get all the internal parts of the vehicle back to a normal operating temperature.”

It adds: “The fuel injectors in your vehicle can even become blocked by ice particles, which can lead to fuel system problems such as a stuttering engine or even complete power cut-outs.”

The best way of preventing this is by “trying to take longer trips in your vehicle so that the engine can get up to its preferred temperature for long enough.”

Problems with starter motor and alternator in cold weather

Similar to fuel problems in winter, the AA writes: “The viscosity of any fluids in your car are likely to change as the temperature drops. One of the possible results of this is that it takes more effort to make the starter motor spin.

“Signs that your starter motor has a problem include a clicking sounds when you use the ignition key. You can rule out a battery problem by checking whether all the other electricals in your car are working. A jump start won’t work if the starter motor is finished.”

To avoid this, the motoring experts recommend keeping your starter motor in “good shape” to keep your battery in “fine condition.”

“When a battery gets weak this can put extra pressure on the starter motor, shortening its overall lifespan.

“You should also avoid cranking the engine in cold weather – if you do this for too long, it can result in overheating damage to your starter motor.”

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Can the cold affect car locks?

East Lothian Courier: Have you been locked out of your car in the snow?Have you been locked out of your car in the snow? (Image: Gareth Fuller/PA)

The AA confirmed: “Unfortunately, any locks on your car (doors/boot/fuel filler cap) can become frozen over during cold weather.

“Some suggest that you can apply Vaseline to your key to keep the lock well-lubricated, reducing the chances of it freezing over.

“If possible, also try to keep your car in a warm place, like a garage, when you’re not using it.”

You can find more information on what to do if your car won’t start in the cold, including how to keep a car battery “healthy” in winter on the AA website.