In the video, Scotty recommended that drivers check one car component over the cold snap (Image: YouTube @scottykilmer)
A well-known has taken to YouTube to share a avoid getting stranded at the roadside as and the remain in place for many parts of the country
has been a mechanic for more than 55 years and regularly posts videos to his YouTube channel in which he shares tips that can help drivers lower their running costs and avoid huge repair bills.
In , Scotty recommends that drivers , stating it could need to be replaced sooner than owners may think.
He explained: “Now, car batteries are like people – they don’t like cold weather. You’ve got to make sure your battery is good. The liquid inside doesn’t like cold weather, it gets thicker and doesn’t hold electricity as well.
“So, you want to have your cold crank amperage tested. This one is 550 cold cranking amps. If it’s too low, the tester will say ‘replace battery’, and do it now before you get stranded!”
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Scotty recommended that drivers get their battery checked to see if it still holds enough charge (Image: Getty)
The is continuing to issue yellow weather warnings for snow, ice, and rain across large parts of the UK, including the majority of Northern Ireland, Scotland, and northern England. As a result, it is vital that drivers stay prepared to prevent getting stranded at the side of the road.
All car batteries will feature a cold cranking amps (CCA) rating, which will state how much power they should be able to offer for 30 seconds in freezing levels in order to start the engine.
However, as batteries get older, they may not be able to hold the same level of power as before, potentially leaving motorists unable to start their vehicle in cold weather without a jump-start from another vehicle.
As a result, Scotty recommended that drivers regularly use a battery checker to make sure the component is still able to hold enough power. Available from around £10, these devices plug into the battery terminals to read the current levels of charge.
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Parking a vehicle inside a garage or using a vehicle cover can also help to keep the battery warm (Image: Getty)
Later in the video, Scotty also suggested that drivers looking to ensure their car starts first time in winter leave it overnight in a warm location, such as a garage.
He added: “Now, the other reason that the car might struggle to start is because, if the engine gets cold and your oil is dirty and too thick, it will have a hard time cranking over.
“So, if you park it in a garage, it’s going to start easier, and make sure you’ve got good, clean oil that’s the right viscosity (thickness), so it will spin up fast and not leave you stranded.”
Drivers who are unable to leave their vehicle in a garage could also invest in a protective cover for their battery.
Available from about £5, these covers can be wrapped around the vehicle’s battery to provide an additional layer of insulation over winter.
These covers can also be particularly useful in the summer, helping to block out additional heat that the engine produces, which could cause damage.