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Date Posted: 05 November 2024
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With winter just around the corner, we can expect colder temperatures, icy roads, and challenging conditions. Preparing yourself and your car for the winter season is key to staying safe on the roads.
1. Check Your Tyres and Tread Depth
Good tyre grip is essential for safe winter driving. Make sure your tyres are in top condition, with a tread depth of at least 3mm for better traction on icy and wet roads. Also, remember that tyre pressure drops in colder temperatures, so check regularly to maintain safe levels. It is also important to switch your summer tyres to all-season or winter tyres as summer tyres are not designed to withstand cold temperatures as they don’t have the deeper tread and additional grooves that winter tyres have. Summer tyres can struggle to grip to roads in icy weather as the treads tend to stiffen therefore reducing traction.
2. Keep an Emergency Kit in the Car
Winter can be unpredictable, so it’s wise to keep an emergency kit in your car. Include winter-specific items such as a de-icer, ice scraper, and a small shovel for clearing snow.
3. Monitor Fluid Levels
Before setting out, make sure your car’s fluids are topped up. Keep the fuel tank at least half full to avoid any issues in cold weather. Antifreeze, screen wash, and oil levels are also critical to check regularly to keep your vehicle running smoothly in low temperatures.
4. Drive Slower and Leave Extra Space
Reduced grip on icy roads means you need to adjust your driving style. Lower your speed and increase the gap between you and the car in front, as braking distances are much longer on slippery surfaces. This extra caution will give you more time to react to any potential hazards.
5. Check the Forecast and Plan Your Journey
Stay up-to-date with the weather and road conditions before heading out. Whenever possible, stick to main roads, as these are more likely to be gritted. Let someone know your intended route and expected arrival time in case of delays or emergencies.
6. Use Your Lights Properly
With shorter days and gloomy winter skies, lights are essential for visibility. Make sure your headlights, indicators, and fog lights are fully operational. In poor visibility, use dipped headlights, but avoid high beams in fog or snow, as they can reflect and make visibility worse.
7. Know How To Demist The Windscreen Quickly
Our advice for demisting your windscreen is to ensure to start your car heater off cold, then to slightly increase the temperature warmer. Use the air-conditioning with the heater to allow both hot and cool air to condense on the glass.
Make sure your car is winter-ready by booking a comprehensive Winter Health Check with us.
Our experts will inspect all critical areas of your vehicle to help you stay safe on the road this season.
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