[MetroMPG]

I was told by some people with classic cars that in the early days, there was no antifreeze. If you owned a car and wanted to use it in the winter (many didn't - no plows either), you drained the water from the cooling system after using the car and refilled it for your next drive.

From articles I've seen, the CAA says battery failure is the most common call from its members in winter weather.