Winter Driving

Winter Driving

it’s trickier than you think

SNOW, FOG AND ICE

Winter weather can make driving a dangerous affair. When the weather turns bad and snow, ice or fog causes havoc on our roads the often quoted advice is simple - stay at home.

This maybe wise but in reality it is not always practical. With a little common sense however, the dangers of driving during winter months can be kept to a minimum.

Firstly as autumn draws to a close and the winter weather approaches give your car a little care and attention……...

Make sure your tyres have the correct tread depth. 1.6mm is the legal minimum but to cope with snow and ice it is advisable to have 6mm.

Check each car light to make sure all are operating correctly.

Make sure your car battery is fully charged and in good repair. Cold, wintry mornings can kill any battery that is past it best.

Fill up your windscreen washer reservoir with a good quality non freezing concentrate. A 50:50 water to concentrate mix is recommended.

Make sure your window wipers are in good condition. They will need to be in good repair if they are going to keep your windows clear.

If your car is due or nearing a service then take it in and get it checked out. If your car has any minor faults or is running out of essential fluids the winter weather will soon exaggerate them.

Buy a screen wiper and a can of de-icer and keep them in your car. It also a good idea to keep a well stocked first aid kit, a good quality, warm blanket and a torch with spare batteries in your car.

As the winter progresses on you should:

Keep as much fuel in your tank as possible. Winter weather can cause substantial delays. Running out of fuel whilst stuck in a long traffic jam can be unpleasant and above all dangerous.

Keep your mobile phone fully charged. You may need it to call for help.

If you drive into bad weather listen to the local radio station for up-to-date travel news.

Snow fall and ice covered roads can render driving almost impossible. If you get caught in such conditions follow these rules.

When steering turn the steering wheel gently and progressively. Never snatch at the wheel turning it sharply as this can cause you to skid and lose control.

When accelerating do so gently. Accelerate too harshly and your wheels will spin.

Reduce your speed and avoid sudden braking. Whenever possible use your engine brake by changing down into lower gears.

Increase the gap between you and the vehicle in front. With snow and ice on the road stopping distance can increase 10 fold.

Keep your car in a high gear as this will help prevent wheel spin.

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