Motorists across Britain are being urged to take a crucial precaution as a severe cold snap grips the nation: keep your vehicle's fuel tank at least half full. The advice, issued amid active weather warnings for snow and ice, is designed to prevent dangerous fuel line freezing and condensation.
Widespread Weather Warnings Disrupt Travel
The Met Office has implemented significant weather alerts across the country for Monday, 5th January, and Tuesday, 6th January 2026. An amber warning for heavy snow is in place for parts of Scotland, indicating a high likelihood of travel disruption. Furthermore, six regions in England are under a yellow warning for snow and ice, covering a wider area.
Forecasters warn that heavy, frequent snow showers could merge into longer spells of snow, particularly in southeast Scotland, North and East Yorkshire, and Redcar and Cleveland. In these areas, fresh accumulations of 5-8 cm are possible, with lightning and gusty winds posing additional hazards near coasts. The cold conditions are also expected to push further inland across Wales, northwest England, the West Midlands, and southwest England.
Essential Winter Car Checks Recommended
Alongside the fuel tank guidance, experts from British Gas have emphasised the importance of ensuring your vehicle is prepared for winter conditions. They recommend drivers have several key components inspected to guarantee they are in good working order.
The critical checks include:
- Brakes: For safe stopping on slippery surfaces.
- Heater and demister: To maintain visibility and cabin warmth.
- Tyres: Ensuring adequate tread depth for grip in snow and ice.
- Windscreen wipers: For clearing snow, ice, and winter spray effectively.
"Have your brakes, heater, tyres and windscreen wipers checked to make sure they're in good working order before winter," a British Gas spokesperson stated. "And if you can keep your fuel tank half full during snowy conditions, all the better."
Why a Half-Full Tank Matters in Freezing Temperatures
The advice to maintain a higher fuel level is not merely about avoiding running out of petrol or diesel. In sub-zero temperatures, a near-empty tank is susceptible to internal condensation. This water vapour can then freeze within the fuel lines or filter, potentially blocking the flow of fuel to the engine and leaving motorists stranded.
By keeping the tank at least half full, the volume of air – and thus the potential for condensation – is reduced, lowering the risk of fuel line freezing. This simple step is a key part of winter driving preparedness alongside carrying a cold-weather emergency kit in the boot.
With the Met Office warning of icy stretches forming widely on untreated surfaces, drivers are encouraged to plan journeys carefully, allow extra time, and ensure both they and their vehicles are fully prepared for the challenging conditions.
