5 Things You Shouldn’t Leave in Your Vehicle in the Winter

5 Things You Shouldn’t Leave in Your Vehicle in the Winter

With winter around the corner and cold weather on the way, experts are warning drivers to prepare for the dip in temperature.

Drivers should be conscious that they cannot leave some things in the cold. Some things may cause damage to the vehicle if left at freezing temperatures. Other items could pose a threat to drivers if not looked after. So we’ve put together a list of everything that shouldn’t leave in your vehicle in the winter.

Aerosols

Extreme cold temperatures and tins are not best friends. Freezing temperatures can cause the chemicals in aerosols to destabilize. In some cases, this can lead to the tins exploding. The liquid in it can also cause an issue. Liquid expands as it freezes which can cause the tins to buckle.

Medications

You should keep medications in a cool (but not cold) dry place unless stated otherwise. Although medication won’t become harmful if left in the cold it can become less effective. And if the medication is important to your health, this could cause a lot of harm.

Electronics

In the same way that phones become less responsive when too hot, freezing temperatures can cause damage to electrical devices. Most smartphones optimal working temperature is between 0 and 35C. Leaving them exposed to the elements can damage the battery or stop it from working altogether.

An Empty Tank

In the same way that liquid in an aerosol can cause the can to buckle, a full tank of petrol can cause issues if it freezes. But temperatures are very unlikely to reach those levels in Britain. On the other end of the scale, a tank with a small amount of fuel risks freezing. Keeping your tank between half and three-quarters full is the best way to reduce the risk of fuel freezing.

Wooden instruments

In the unlikely case that you have a wooden instrument in your vehicle, the best thing to do is bring them indoors. Cold temperatures can make the wood constrict. This means your instrument is more likely to fall out of tune. In extreme cases, it can lead to wood cracking.