There's a cold snap on the way. Michael McAleer offers some timely advice.
The forecasters predict what they call a "cold snap" - translated to motoring parlance, this means "prepare to spend the first bleary-eyed moments of the day scraping ice of your windscreen and shouting abuse at your car's heating system as it valiantly tries to reach the tropical temperatures claimed possible by that little dial on the dashboard."
So, what can we do to make life that little bit easier in the morning? First off, leave at least 10 minutes to warm up the car and de-ice it before you even leave the driveway. Don't risk your life and the lives of others in the daily dash for work. Better to be late than never to arrive at all.
Make sure you have an ice scraper and perhaps some de-icer with you in the car at all times during this cold spell. Trying to scrape ice from windows using a key may cause untold damage and prove more costly later. Using your nails is another option of course, but frostbite can also lead to hefty costs in the future, mainly medical bills.
Drivers should ensure that all windows are cleared of ice and not just a 20cm hole in the sheet of ice covering the windscreen. Despite your favoured driving style, you're not a tank commander. While those behind the wheel of a Challenger tank may get away with such limited visibility, your little motor car is not built to demolish walls and go over the top of obstructing vehicles. You may think you are psychic, but "using the force" until the ice melts from the other windows could leave you hitch-hiking to work.
As for the mechanics of your motor, ensure the water reservoir is up to the maximum mark and correctly mixed with anti-freeze - usually one-third anti-freeze and two thirds water, but check with your car owner's manual to be sure. In some instances a 50-50 mix of antifreeze and water in the cooling system is needed.
This gives maximum protection down to -35°C. Without it, severe engine damage costing hundreds of euros can occur. Hopefully this cold snap will not reach such Arctic temperatures.
A car's electrical system comes into its own at this time of year as we overburden it with full lights, heater at full blast and windscreen wipers on. Then the radio is turned on for that added electrical surge. All these put high demands on the battery and they give out eventually.
According to the AA, dead batteries top its call-out list, accounting for about one in five winter breakdowns each year. Batteries rarely last longer than five years, so replacing them near the end of their life can save a lot of time and inconvenience when they finally fizzle out.
Modern batteries are maintenance free, but there's no harm in checking that the top of the battery is clean and the connections are tight.
Avoid running car electrics any longer than necessary - turn the heater fan down and switch the heated rear window off once windows are clear.
When you're starting up the car ensure that non-essentials, such as lights, rear screen heater and wipers are turned off.
As for the likelihood of slippy roads, the advice is to drive slowly and keep your distance. And of course, help each other out when in trouble.