Drivers warned to avoid leaving one essential in car for next three months

Drivers have been urged to never leave one item inside their car during the cold months of autumn or winter to avoid expensive damage.

With the Met Office forcasting snow for parts of Scotland and northern England in the coming days, many motorists are preparing for a drop in temperature and the impact it could have on their car.

The Starlink satellite internet installer Spacelink Installations has highlighted that one way drivers can prepare their vehicle for snowy conditions is by making sure that electronic devices, such as smartphones, are not left inside.

Whilst some drivers may like to leave devices inside their car to easily stream music or find an address, doing so during cold temperatures may lead to serious damage to the battery.

This is because the cold temperature inside the vehicle will slow down chemical reactions taking place in the battery and reduce its ability to transfer power, particularly if the device is old or has been charged a large number of times.

As a result, those who forget to remove their phone from inside the vehicle could soon face a number of issues that will likely last well beyond the winter.

These include needing to charge up the battery at a much more frequent rate than normal or, in some cases, not being able to use the device at all without power.

Other components may also be damaged by extreme temperature and humidity inside the vehicle, running the risk of the device not working at all.

To help drivers keep all of their devices safe when travelling in the winter months, Sean Carrol, a technology expert from Spacelink Installations, recommended that they are kept in insulated cases that block cold temperatures.

He advised: "Just as you’d wrap up yourself, invest in a sturdy, insulating phone case for your iPhone to help it withstand winter’s bite.

"A thicker case not only keeps the cold out but adds a layer of protection if you accidentally slip on icy paths."

Similarly, drivers wishing to prepare their car for snowy environments have been urged to make sure they have plenty of fuel in their tank.

In colder temperatures, an increase in friction under the bonnet often causes fuel consumption to notably rise, particularly on shorter journeys that do not give the engine a chance to warm up.

Whilst adding petrol or diesel will not help to improve fuel consumption, having enough fuel in the tank will ensure that drivers are able to reach their desired destination.