A PHENOMENON known as waxing could leave diesel drivers stranded if temperatures plummet, fleet managers have been warned.

With the worst winter for a decade predicted, temperatures could reach the level where diesel fuel thickens, which stops it flowing into the engine properly so the car will not start.

Lorries are commonly affected by this problem, but members of the East Anglian region of ACFO, the fleet managers’ association, heard the expected big freeze this year could also affect cars.

Members were told: ‘A lot of people have moved from petrol to diesel and won’t be aware of this issue. If there is waxing, the car will not start.’

Members heard they should use good quality diesel and always have a least a quarter of a tank of fuel to try to prevent it happening.