Here’s some winter driving tips on how you get you and your car ready for the wintery conditions and what to do should you get stuck in the snow.
Tyres
Ensure your tyres are inflated correctly and that you have sufficient tread on your tyres to cope with wet and slippery conditions.
Battery
In winter, the battery will run down quicker. Make sure you do a regular long journey to top it up.
Engine
Modern engines are more robust than older ones. All the same, depress the clutch when starting the vehicle as this will reduce drag on the engine and preserve the battery.
Screenwash
Keep this topped up and use an additive at the right concentration to prevent it freezing.
Fuel
Keep your tank topped up – that way if you are caught out, you’ll have enough fuel to make it home or run the engine to keep warm. However, it’s essential to keep snow from blocking the exhaust as noxious fumes can leak into the vehicle.
Windows
Clear all snow and ice from the windscreen before driving. Do not use water to de-ice windscreens. Hot water can crack the glass, and the water will only freeze again on the screen or on the ground where you are standing.
Locks
A squirt of WD-40 will prevent your door locks freezing up.
Warm clothing
Your car may be warm on the inside but if you have to step outside, you could be in trouble if you haven’t got warm clothing with you.
Snow kit
Always pack the following: ice scraper, warm coat, hat, gloves, sturdy boots, a blanket to keep you warm if you get stuck. Take some food, water and a hot drink if you can. Always carry a fully charged mobile and some old bits of carpet, or cat litter, to put under the tyres if they get stuck and a shovel to clear the snow.
And here’s our winter driving tip for what to do if you get stuck in the snow…
First of all, make sure you have packed your emergency snow kit. If you are trapped in your car, you can stay warm by running the engine. However, it is vital that the exhaust pipe is not blocked by snow. If the engine fumes cannot escape, you could be overwhelmed by carbon monoxide gas, which is highly toxic. If there is any risk the fumes could enter the car, do not run the engine. Even if it is safe, do not run the engine for more than 10 or 15 minutes in each hour.
Stay in or close to your car. In heavy snow it is easy to get disorientated and lost, or separated from your vehicle. If necessary you can always hang a piece of brightly coloured cloth to your car to let others know you are there.
Driving in wintry conditions can be risky, but if you follow our winter driving tips you’ll be fully prepared.
DONT PANIC.
WHEN I DROVE ACROSS THE SAHARA IN 1960 A POSTMAN DIED FROM THIRST. WHEN THEY FOUND HIS VEHICLE WITH HIM IN IT, THERE WAS STILL WATER IN THE RADIATOR.
AN AUSTRALIAN COUPLE DIED IN THE OUTBACK AFTER GETTING STUCK. TO RECOVER THE VEHICLE ALL THE SEARCH PARTY DID WAS DEFLATE THE TYRES A BIT.
WINTER TIPS SEEM AN EXCELLENT IDEA. I NEVER THOUIGHT OF DISPLAYING A COLOURED CLOTH TO INDICATE YOUR PRESENCE.