There’s no doubt that extra care is required for anyone who is driving during winter. Snow, heavy rain, fog and ice mean that it’s vital to prepare before you set off on your journey to stay safe and avoid a breakdown.
Certainly, along with the winter season arrives a high number of vehicle breakdowns, as people struggle to tackle extreme road conditions. So, how can you prepare effectively for the colder months?
Here are a few helpful tips
- Electrics/Battery
Always check that your battery is in good condition – generally speaking, car batteries will last at least 5 years (model dependent). Also note that additional strain, such as the extended use of heaters, wipers and lights during winter puts extra demand on your battery – so avoid over-using them if possible. If you find that you don’t use your vehicle for a long time over winter it may be a good idea to give the battery a regular overnight trickle charge. - De-icer
This is a very simple product – but absolutely necessary during the winter months. Very cheap to buy – de-icer can help you cope with a number of scenarios, including frozen windows and even door locks. Always keep a can of de-icer in the house, or take it with you to work – it’s amazing how many people keep their de-icer cans in the car then find that they need it to thaw the locks! - Vision
Fog, rain and snow can severely limit visibility – therefore it’s vitally important to keep your windscreen (and other windows) clear at all times. The last thing that you will need is dirt or other debris further hindering your visibility. Don’t forget to clean the inside and outside of your windows and if you spot any scratches, chips or cracks, get them repaired as soon as possible. Also take into consideration dazzle – low winter sun can cause drivers a number of problems. Always make sure that your windscreen wipers are in good condition and if necessary, get them replaced. Finally, always observe the correct lighting procedures – you will need to use your fog lights in severe conditions, but turn them off on clearer days to avoid dazzling other drivers. - Tyres
It is recommended that tyres of at least 3mm tread are used to tackle winter conditions – and certainly they should not be any smaller than 2mm tread. Many people think that by reducing tyre pressure they can get more grip – this simply does not work and can in fact reduce the stability of the vehicle. Keep checking your tyres on a regular basis for any wear and tear or obvious defects. If you plan to navigate along an extremely difficult area (i.e. smaller roads where the snow may not have been cleared) – snow chains may be required – however, they must be removed when not required. Perhaps consider getting Winter Tyres - Driving Lessons
Many people have no real experience of driving in winter conditions and one or two driving lessons focusing on what you need to consider would be sure to help. Some issues to think about would be selecting the correct gear in winter conditions, increased breaking distances and clearing all the snow from your car before you start!
By following the above advice, your journey will hopefully be a little smoother, however, it’s vital to monitor road conditions on a day-to-day basis during the winter months. It’s also wise to allow an extra 15 minutes or so in a morning to prepare your car. Also remember to wear dry and comfortable shoes for driving and keep your speed down – stopping distances are 10 times longer in ice and snow.
Good advice on driving preparation for the winter. I would also add things like warm clothing and blankets in the car. Adding a small spade for heavy snow drifts and jump leads in case of a dead battery. Nice article and thanks for sharing albeit an old article now.
Thanks Paul, great additions to the advice offered there that we would agree with. Further to the point about the battery, it’s certainly worth checking this at Halfords or similar if it is old/may be low on juice. We’d hate to have a reader stranded in the cold.