ACCORDING to the AA, the number of breakdowns nearly doubles during particularly cold spells, making winter the time when most care and preparation is essential if you're to stay safe and avoid a breakdown.

While some problems are sudden and unavoidable, there is plenty that can be done to prepare you car for the cold and harsh winter ahead that will hopefully result in safe and troublefree driving. BATTERY AND ELECTRICS: Lights, heaters and wipers put high demands on the car battery. If your driving is mainly dark rush-hour trips, the battery will give out eventually.

Batteries rarely last longer than five years so replacing one near the end of its life can save a lot of time and inconvenience at the side of the road.

Avoid running electrical systems any longer than necessary – turn the heater fan down and switch the heated rear window off once windows are clear. Turn off nonessential electrical loads like lights, rear screen heater and wipers before trying to start the engine and use the starter in short five-second bursts if the engine doesn't start quickly, leaving 30 seconds between attempts to allow the battery to recover. ANTIFREEZE: A continuous squealing noise as soon as the engine is started is a sign the water pump is frozen. The cylinder block could be frozen too. Stop the engine immediately and allow it to thaw out. This may take several days unless the car can be moved to a heated garage.

If the car begins to overheat a few miles from home it's likely that the radiator has frozen, preventing coolant from circulating. Stop straight away to avoid serious damage and allow the radiator to thaw.

Most modern cars use long-life antifreeze, so it's important to use the right type and avoid mixing different types. Check the handbook or ask a dealer for advice. Glycol-based antifreeze should be changed at least every two years.

You need a 50-50 mix of antifreeze and water in the cooling system for winter. This gives maximum protection down to -34 degrees, and without it, severe engine damage costing hundreds of pounds can occur. VISIBILITY: Dazzle from a low winter sun can be a particular problem so improve vision by making sure that the windscreen is clean both inside and out. Scratches, abrasion and chips on the outside can also worsen the dazzling effect of the sun.

Greasy smears on the screen that don't go with use of a normal screen wash additive will require a little elbow grease. Try using a cream glass polish with a slight abrasive action. If that doesn't work then try dishwasher powder dissolved in a little water – Use clean kitchen paper to clean a small area at a time and try not to go back over a patch you've just done.

Make sure that wipers are switched off in the park position when leaving the car, when there's risk of freezing. If you don't and the blades freeze to the screen, you could damage the blades or wiper motor when you turn the ignition on.

Top up windscreen washer fluid and treat with a suitable additive to reduce the chance of freezing. Don't use ordinary engine antifreeze as it will damage paintwork.

Make sure that all bulbs are working and that lenses are clean. When roads are really mucky you might need to clean lights after every journey. Keep the number plates clean too, as you can be fined if they are dirty and illegible. TYRES: The AA recommends at least 3mm of tread for winter motoring, and no less than 2mm. Don't reduce tyre pressures to get grip – it doesn't work, and reduces stability.

Consider changing to winter or all-season tyres – these have a higher silica content in the tread which prevents it hardening at lower temperatures, and therefore gives better grip in cold wet conditions.