FAQs
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Category:
Short Journeys
Drivers who mainly do short winter trips can reduce problems by:
- Taking occasional longer drives to fully warm the engine
- Keeping the battery in good health through regular checks
- Ensuring tyres, coolant, and fluids are winter-ready
- Addressing warning lights early rather than ignoring intermittent issues
Understanding how a car is used is often more important than how many miles it covers, especially in winter.
Category:
Short Journeys
Diesel cars can be particularly affected. Diesel engines and emissions systems, including the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), rely on sustained higher temperatures to operate correctly. Short journeys in winter may never allow these systems to complete their regeneration cycles.
Over time, this can lead to soot build-up, warning lights, and reduced performance. Petrol cars are not immune, but diesel vehicles used mainly for short trips in winter are at higher risk of emissions-related problems.
Category:
Short Journeys
Yes. Short winter journeys are one of the most common causes of battery failure. Starting a car requires a large amount of electrical energy, and cold temperatures reduce how much usable power a battery can provide.
On short trips, the alternator often does not have enough time to replace the energy used during starting, especially when heaters, lights, and demisters are running. Repeating this pattern gradually weakens the battery, which is why batteries often fail in winter even on cars that are not driven far.
Category:
Short Journeys
There is no fixed distance, but in winter a journey usually needs to last at least 15–20 minutes for most cars to reach full operating temperature. This allows engine oil to circulate properly, moisture to evaporate from internal components, and the alternator to recharge the battery after starting.
Shorter trips often end before this happens, meaning the engine, battery, and exhaust system repeatedly operate in a cold, inefficient state. Occasional longer drives are particularly important in winter to offset the cumulative effects of repeated short journeys. Excessive idling is not an effective substitute as once the engine is running smoothly, driving gently is better than letting the car idle for long periods.