MyMotor.biz

Winter driving guide

Winter driving

When winter sets in and temperatures drop dramatically, snow and ice on the roads make driving much more difficult and dangerous.

There are however a number of simple measures you can take to help you.

Your car

• Have a full service before winter starts and have the anti-freeze tested

• Keep tyres properly inflated. Make sure you have the legal minimum tread depth of 1.6mm

• Check that your lights are clean and working

• Always keep the windscreen and windows clean and the washer bottle filled with screen wash

• Carry winter essentials in the car: cloths, spare washer fluid, anti-freeze, glass cleaner, ice scraper, de-icer and torch. In really bad weather, put a blanket, Wellington boots and a shovel in the boot

Your car continued

Journeys

• Listen to the weather broadcasts and only travel if absolutely necessary when really bad conditions are forecast

• Eat a good breakfast when you know you will be travelling in bad weather and carry spare food and drink in case you are snowed in

• Stop every two hours, if you can, for fresh air and hot drinks

• Keep your vehicle well ventilated. Driving with the car heater full on can make you drowsy

Driving

• Make sure you know and understand the hazards and risks of driving in all types of weather conditions - especially ice, snow and fog - before you venture out

• Always fully clear your windscreen and side windows of ice and condensation before driving off - NEVER merely clear a small ‘porthole’ in the windscreen

• Always reduce your speed on slippery surfaces. Avoid harsh braking and acceleration

• Increase the gap between you and the vehicle in front in poor conditions. Allow up to TEN TIMES the normal distance for braking, especially on motorways

• In snow, stop frequently to clean the glass area, the wheel arches, the lights and number plates

• If your driven wheels get stuck in snow, move slowly backwards and forwards out of the rut using the highest gear you can

Driving continued

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