Driving Safely In Winter
Here we go again! I’m sure it was only a couple of weeks ago I put together my last blog on taking care of your car in Winter, but it was actually TWO years ago! Oh, how time flies in a pandemic….ahem.
Well, I’ve already provided the tips on keeping your car well looked after in the colder months, so here I will bring to you the tips on driving safely during Winter. It is known to be the most hazardous time of the year for driving, what with the darker nights and lousy weather conditions. Here’s how you can improve your safety on the roads this season.
Before you’ve even pulled off the driveway
Always give extra time for winter, if parts of your journey include icy roads, you will need to take it very slowly, as stopping distances can become 10 times longer on ice.
Try and stick to the main roads of your routes, these are the ones most likely to have been gritted and warmed up from traffic. Plan your route with this in mind.
Give yourself time to de-ice the car. There is nothing worse with stepping out of the door when you think you’re on time, or worse, in a rush, and remembering you need to spend ten minutes scraping off the ice. And ensure you wait until the windscreen is fully demisted. Every window should be clear of mist, snow and ice.
Make sure your footwear is dry and comfortable. You don’t want snow-covered shoes slipping over the pedals.
Check your fuel levels – have at least a quarter of a tank in case of unexpected delays – more likely in the Winter months, unfortunately.
Clear snow from the roof – if not, the snow could become a really dangerous hazard; you can be fined for driving without due care and attention. It can fall onto the windscreen and block your view or fall off into the path of another moving car.
Check your wipers – replace worn or damaged blades. Also, don’t leave your wipers on auto when you park up if there’s a risk of frost. If the blades become frozen to the windscreen, you could damage the blades or wiper motor when you turn the ignition on.
Driving on winter roads
The best thing you can do in snow and ice conditions is to take it slowly. Stopping distances can be 10 times longer when it’s icy, so manoeuvre gently and take your time.
If the roads feel slippery, try pulling away in second gear, avoiding wheel spinning by easing your foot off the clutch gently.
Always apply your brakes gently, as a sudden stop on ice and snow could result in a longer skid.
If you’re driving uphill, give extra space between you and the car in front to reduce the chances of having to stop-start. If driving downhill, slow right down, use low gears and leave as much room as possible between you and the car in front.
If you get stuck in snow or ice
Straighten up the steering and clear the snow from the wheels. Give the tyres some grip for when you pull away by placing an old rug or sack. This will give them something to grab hold of rather than turning around in the snow.
Make your car visible in poor winter weather
With the darker days ahead and more cold, grim weather, visibility on the roads is more compromised. The wet roads will also throw up more dirt on your car, which can also affect the visibility of your vehicle.
Make sure all the car lights are working (internal and external) and they are all clean. You may need to keep checking if you regularly drive through muddy roads.
The same goes for number plates, you can be fined for dirty, unreadable plates.
Fog lights are great in poor visibility areas but stay alert around oncoming traffic to ensure you do not dazzle and endanger them.
Choose the right winter tyres
At least 3mm of tread is recommended for every tyre during Winter.
Letting air out of tyres does not improve your grip, it just makes your car more unsafe.
Only use snow chains if there’s enough snow to prevent damage to the road (quite unlikely in the UK, but for the readers who live in more remote areas, this could be a welcome tip!)
Look after batteries and electrics
Car batteries usually last around 5 years and are really put to the test in Winter more than any other time of year due to lights, heating and wipers.
To prevent getting a flat battery in Winter, turn off lights, wipers, and heater before starting your engine. If it doesn’t start straight away, wait 30 seconds before trying again. And if you don’t use your car very often, a regular overnight trickle charge can help lengthen the life of your car battery.
Top up your antifreeze
Antifreeze is cheap compared to the cost of repairing a frozen and cracked engine. You need a 50-50 mix of antifreeze and water, which will protect your engine from as cold as -34C.
Winter essentials to keep in your car
I wrote a blog not so long ago about the items you should keep in your car. In addition, throughout the cold season, always ensure your car has the following in the boot –
- Ice scraper
- De-icer Torch and spare batteries
- First aid kit
- A fully charged mobile and/or mobile power pack in case of emergency.
- Warm clothes, waterproofs and high-vis jackets
- Sturdy footwear
- Hot drinks and snacks
- Shovel
- Jump leads
- Warning triangles
If you’d like a Winter Health Check for your vehicle, be sure to get in touch with us.