How to Keep Your Car Warm in Winter

Car driving in snow

Cold weather will negatively impact your car’s battery. As such, it’s sensible to keep your car warm in winter, so that you can avoid the chaos that comes when your car’s ignition just won’t start. Here’s how…

How to keep your car warm in winter

Cover it up

Use a windshield cover, waterproof or outdoor car cover, or blanket to cover your car up whenever you’re not driving it. The cover will help to reduce the amount of heat lost from the car, keeping the battery a little warmer.

Park in a garage

If you have access to a garage, it’s sensible to park your car there during the winter – especially if you’re leaving the vehicle for long stretches of time. Even if the garage isn’t heated, it’ll nonetheless keep the car warmer than it would be outside.

If you don’t have garage access, try parking your vehicle so that it’s out of the worst of the wind. Alternatively, choose a sunny spot, as the extra rays can help to boost the vehicle’s temperature.

Use a block heater

Warming the engine up before driving it can help to reduce risk of damage from starting it cold. A block heater will do this for you. It can also help to prevent the engine coolant from gelling, which then delivers heat more effectively to the radiator.

You could also invest in a battery pad heater or battery thermal wrap, both of which are designed to guard against the worst impact of the cold.

Finance a car to keep you going through winter

If it’s time to upgrade your drive, determine your car finance eligibility with My Car Credit. We can help you get behind the wheel of a vehicle with modern technologies, keeping you safe through the cold months.

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Representative Example

Borrowing £7,500 at a representative APR of 12.4%, annual interest rate (fixed) 12.36%, 47 monthly payments of £196.44 followed by 1 payment of £206.44 (incl. estimated £10 option to purchase fee), a deposit of £0.00, total cost of credit is £1,939.12, total amount payable is £9,439.12.

Evolution Funding Limited, trading as My Car Credit, is a credit broker and not a lender.

Please ensure you can afford the repayments for the duration of the loan before entering into a credit agreement.

*Initial application is a soft search. Should you progress, some lenders may perform a hard search on your credit file.
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What are the Most Common Car Dashboard Warnings?

Car dashboard warning lights

If deciphering your car dashboard warnings feels like a complete mystery, this guide is for you. Symbols like the low petrol light are familiar to most drivers. But what about all those other car dashboard warnings that pop up from time to time? Fortunately, we’re here to help! Read on for a complete guide to the most common warning lights and what to do when they appear on your dashboard.

Colour coded car dashboard warnings

Most car dashboard lights use a colour coded system.

  • Green

Green lights are good and indicate a system is engaged or working as it should. Nothing to worry about here.

  • Yellow

Yellow lights are a warning that a system or component isn’t working correctly. You don’t necessarily need to pull over and call a tow truck, but you should take extra care when driving and get your vehicle checked out ASAP. 

  • Red

When you see red car dashboard warnings, it’s best to pull over and switch off your engine as soon as possible. Red lights indicate a serious problem that could quickly escalate if not immediately addressed.

Now you know more about the colour coded system, let’s take a closer look at the most common car dashboard warnings.

Brake warning light

The brake warning light indicates a problem with your parking brake, or your brake fluid levels. Best case scenario, your parking brake is stuck, and you can get rid of the warning light with a quick readjustment. If this doesn’t work, you’ll need to get your brake fluid levels checked.

ABS warning light

This light indicates a problem with your anti-lock brake system (ABS). This is a critical safety feature that helps you pull off emergency stops, especially in wet and slippery conditions. Depending on the issue, the ABS car dashboard warning light may be accompanied by the Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) light. If you notice either is lit up, it’s best to reduce your speed, avoid braking suddenly and pull over when safe to do so.

Check engine car dashboard warning light

Also known as the ECU warning light, this symbol could mean anything from a minor issue with an electrical sensor to a serious mechanical failure. You can usually continue to drive with the check engine light on, but it’s best to look into the issue ASAP to stay safe and avoid irreparable damage.

Airbag warning light

This one will light up in red and indicates that your airbag safety system is compromised. Also called the supplemental restraint system (SRS) warning light, it’s not one to be ignored.

Power steering warning light

As the name suggests, this car dashboard warning confirms there’s an issue with your power steering. Sometimes getting it to turn off is as simple as restarting your engine. Other times, you may need to book your car into a service centre for a closer inspection. If there is a serious problem, you’ll probably be able to feel it as you manoeuvre the car. You can still drive with the power steering light on, but you’ll need to be careful as your steering assistance is compromised.

Engine temperature warning light

The dreaded engine temperature warning light is a tell-tale sign that your engine is overheating. Possible reasons include a leak in your coolant system or a more serious issue, such as a blown head gasket. This one is red, which means you should stop your car and turn off the engine as soon as possible. If you continue to drive, you run the risk of seizing the entire engine and causing permanent damage.

Oil warning light

Of all the car dashboard warning lights that can appear, the oil symbol is one of the most common. Best case scenario, your oil is running low and needs to be topped up. This is an easy fix if you’re near a petrol station. You’ll need to act fast as your engine needs lubrication to run. Without it you can quickly cause serious damage. If your oil light comes on again a day or so after topping up your tank, it could indicate a more serious issue like a faulty pump or a leak in the system.

Low tyre pressure warning light

The tyre pressure warning light makes it easy to detect leaks and punctures in the earliest stages. Also known as the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), this light detects abnormal drops in pressure. You can still drive with the TPMS light on, though it’s best to reduce your speed and be extra vigilant. Pull into a petrol station, when possible, to top up the air or change your tyre if necessary.

Battery warning light

The battery warning light can be a tricky one as it can mean a few things. Ideally, it’s just a prompt to replace your battery. This usually needs to be done every few years anyway. It could also mean your battery isn’t being charged by the alternator, which may indicate a more serious problem like an overheating engine.

Say goodbye to car dashboard warning lights

Hate the wave of anxiety that comes with car dashboard warning lights? It could be time to upgrade your vehicle. Newer cars simply don’t have the same mechanical issues as older vehicles, meaning you’re far less likely to see your dashboard light up like it’s Guy Fawkes night.

If you’re thinking about upgrading to a more reliable car, we’re here to help. Say goodbye to car dashboard warning lights and use our tailored car finance solutions to secure your dream ride. We’ll match your application with a wide range of lenders to unlock the best rates and maximise your chances of success, even if you’re worried about car finance poor credit.

If you’d like to learn more about the services we provide, get in touch with our friendly team on 01246 458 810 or at enquiries@mycarcredit.co.uk.

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*for illustration purposes only

No impact on your credit score*

Representative Example

Borrowing £7,500 at a representative APR of 12.4%, annual interest rate (fixed) 12.36%, 47 monthly payments of £196.44 followed by 1 payment of £206.44 (incl. estimated £10 option to purchase fee), a deposit of £0.00, total cost of credit is £1,939.12, total amount payable is £9,439.12.

Evolution Funding Limited, trading as My Car Credit, is a credit broker and not a lender.

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Electric Car Sales in the UK Overtake Diesel

Electric car being charged at a charge point

Earlier this month, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) released their report on the UK car market. Amongst the most significant findings is the news that battery electric vehicles (BEVs) overtook diesel vehicles to secure their best ever monthly market share in December 2022.

With 32.9% of the market and a total of 16.6% for new car registrations, BEVs have surpassed diesel for the first time ever, and are now second only to petrol vehicles. In combination with the figures on HEVs (hybrid electric vehicles) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), this means that average new car CO2 (carbon dioxide) fell by 6.9% to 111.4g/km – the lowest in UK history.

SMMT Report – the overview

Whilst December 2022 was the biggest month in the UK market for battery electric car sales, plug-in hybrids saw a reduction in their annual market share to 6.3%. Hybrid electric vehicles also saw growth, and now make up 11.6% of the market. Diesel sales, meanwhile, plummeted by 38.9%.

The success of electric car sales in the UK is overwhelmingly down to fleets and business buyers. Although private buyers account for over half of all total vehicle registrations, they fall shy of the numbers of fleets and business buyers, who accounted for around 75% of all BEV registrations.

The best-selling electric car in the UK was the Tesla Model Y, followed by the Tesla Model 3 and Kia e-Niro. The Tesla Model Y also ranked as the third best-selling car overall, only after the Nissan Qashqai and Vauxhall Corsa (both of which also have electric models).

Why do private buyers account for so little of UK electric car sales?

Although there’s a concerted effort to ‘green’ Britain’s roads, this report from the SMMT demonstrates an overall reticence amongst private buyers to move to electric vehicles. Quite why private buyers are proving slower to transition to greener vehicles is explainable in a number of ways.

Grants

In 2021, the government announced a series of reductions to electric vehicle subsidy schemes. For example, in December of 2021, the Department for Transport laid out a reduction of £1,000 for buyers making use of financial incentives to fund the upfront cost of a new electric vehicle.

A concurrent reduction was also made to vehicular models eligible for government support, with a maximum limit of £32,000 set down from £35,000. For many private drivers, the initial purchase fee of EVs is prohibitive, which is why government grants and incentives have such a significant place in swaying consumer behaviour. Securing a car loan quote and car finance suited to individual driver needs provides a further way for motorists to invest in electric vehicles.

Charging infrastructure

There are also concerns over public charging infrastructure. According to the SMMT’s report, the government’s EV Infrastructure Strategy forecasts a need for 300,000 to 720,000 charge points in the UK by 2030. To hit 300,000 public chargers by that date, current installation should average at 100 new chargers installed every day, but the current figure is 23.

Supply shortages

Supply chains remain inconsistent – a fact which was also noted by the SMMT as impacting the UK’s overall car market – as a result of semiconductor chip shortages due to disruption caused both by the pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This disruption is expected to stabilise as 2023 unfolds.

The result…

Consumers are unlikely to make the switch to electric unless they can be certain that the necessary infrastructure is available, and anxieties about the current cost of electricity also impact overall EV private sales. Given the expensive initial price of EVs, concerns over the provision of public infrastructure, and fears over cost of living, the anxieties of private buyers regarding the move to EVs seem unlikely to be alleviated.

This certainly seems to be the position of Mike Hawes, Chief Executive at the SMTT, who urged the government to encourage the move towards EVs by continuing to invest in nationwide charging infrastructure. As the UK approaches the 2030 petrol ban, after which the sale of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned, the need to invest in UK-wide EV charging infrastructure will become ever more pressing.

Find out how we can help you make the move to electric

Purchasing an EV doesn’t have to be a pipedream. With My Car Credit, it won’t be. We can even work with drivers with poor credit scores – contact us on enquiries@mycarcredit.co.uk to find out how.

Rates from 9.9% APR. Representative APR 12.4%

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  • You have no CCJs, credit arrears or missed payments
  • You rarely apply for credit
  • You are employed or self-employed

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£

X monthly repayments of
£X

Typical rate

Loan amount

Total payable

X% APR*

£X

£X

*for illustration purposes only

No impact on your credit score*

Representative Example

Borrowing £7,500 at a representative APR of 12.4%, annual interest rate (fixed) 12.36%, 47 monthly payments of £196.44 followed by 1 payment of £206.44 (incl. estimated £10 option to purchase fee), a deposit of £0.00, total cost of credit is £1,939.12, total amount payable is £9,439.12.

Evolution Funding Limited, trading as My Car Credit, is a credit broker and not a lender.

Please ensure you can afford the repayments for the duration of the loan before entering into a credit agreement.

*Initial application is a soft search. Should you progress, some lenders may perform a hard search on your credit file.
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Got a question you can’t find the answer to, or need some advice and guidance around taking out car finance? Our Car Credit Specialists are friendly, experienced, and here to help so get in touch today!

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or call 01246 458 810