This week, it has been revealed which days will see Christmas car chaos on the roads in the run up to the big Christmas getaway. Airports and roads are expected to be overloaded with traffic between Friday 20th and Monday 23rd of December, as families race to their holidays and family homes for the big day.

Last year, over the 12 days of Christmas there were 8,418 breakdowns – a 7.3% increase on the same period between 2022-23.

This year, we could see even more breakdowns over the Christmas period, as the cost-of-living crisis is likely to lead to more people driving older, less reliable cars.

More than three million trips are predicted on Friday and a further 3.7 million on Saturday with 2.9 million on Sunday. A further 4.7 million trips are expected from 20-22 December before 3.8 million travel on the busiest single day, Christmas Eve. Additionally, post-Christmas the RAC is predicting 4.4 million trips on Boxing Day and 3.8 million on Friday, 27 December.

During such an expensive time of year, the last thing people want to have to pay for is car repairs. However, avoiding car maintenance ahead of the Christmas holidays could end up costing you more than you think.

To help drivers avoid car chaos this Christmas, we have shared a list of tips on avoiding the five most common causes of winter car breakdowns.

  1. Battery problems – The cold weather can shorten the life of your car battery and make it more difficult to start your car. This is because the chemical reactions in the battery slow down in cold temperatures.

Beat the battery blues by investing in an OBD scanner. An OBD scanner, for example, Carly,  can be used to check your car’s battery health easily and quickly. By connecting the scanner to your car’s OBD port, you can access real-time data about your battery’s voltage, current, and internal resistance. This information can provide valuable insights into the overall health of your battery and help you identify potential problems before they lead to a breakdown.

  1. Starting system faults –This includes problems with the starter motor, alternator, and ignition system. These components are more likely to fail in cold weather because they have to work harder to start the engine.

Avoid false starts by trying to park your car in a garage or shielded area to protect it from extremely cold temperatures and make sure to drive it regularly to help maintain battery charge.

  1. Electrical faults – This includes problems with the lights, wiring, and fuses. These components are more likely to fail in cold weather because they are more susceptible to moisture and corrosion.
  2. Antifreeze Levels – If your antifreeze levels aren’t right, you could experience frozen screen wash or engine coolant, which could cause your car to breakdown, or not start at all. Extreme temperatures can affect the performance of your car’s fluids, including engine oil, coolant, and brake fluid.

Check your levels by visibly checking fluid Levels and Antifreeze under the bonnet, topping up your fluid levels as needed. Also, ensure you have adequate antifreeze protection to prevent your engine from freezing.

  1. Tyre problems – This includes punctures, flat tyres, and low tyre pressure. Tyres are more likely to fail in cold weather because they contract in cold temperatures, which can cause them to crack or develop leaks.

Test your tyres and check your tyre pressure. Make sure your tires are properly inflated and have enough tread to handle winter conditions. You can check your tire pressure with a tire gauge and your tread depth with a tread depth gauge.