Winter Driving Tips
As we move closer and closer towards winter, it becomes more important to keep an eye on your car to see how it is coping with the adverse conditions.
Drops in temperature and the presence of ice and snow can have a huge influence on how we drive, so in this article we’re looking at what you can do to ease the pressure of winter driving, making the roads safer for you, your passengers and other road users, too.
Battery
The last thing you need this winter is finding yourself stranded at the roadside due to a breakdown. One of the leading causes of winter breakdowns here in the UK is a flat battery, so it’s vital to pay attention to yours before you decide to tackle the ice and snow this winter.
Your battery will find it much harder to cope with the cold, and batteries that are over five years old may not be able to handle it at all. The best thing to do in this case it to have your battery inspected and, if necessary, replaced before making any winter treks. Batteries approaching the end of their life cycle might have seemed fine in the summer, but the extra demands brought on by severe cold might very well be too much.
If you’re only planning to use your car a few times over the winter, keeping it in your garage or on your driveway for days or weeks at a time, try to keep it charged periodically with a maintainer. Keeping it topped up while in storage will allow you to get moving immediately when you need to, instead of having to delay your trip in order to charge it up.
Consider winter tyres
Road surfaces become vastly different during the winter. Ice and snow make the surfaces more hazardous, but your tyres will also have an impact on driving conditions. Your summer tyres won’t be as effective in colder temperatures. They will harden and lose traction which drastically alters the amount of control you have over your vehicle. Stopping distances will be longer, and you’ll be more prone to skidding – especially while cornering.
Investing in winter tyres is a smart move. Winter tyres are designed to provide reliable performance in temperatures under 7°C. They use a different rubber compound and have deeper tread grooves to improve grip and control when driving in the cold or on snow and ice. Winter tyres can be the difference between a near miss and a full-on collision; stopping distance will be shorter and you’ll enjoy improved control while cornering, so if you haven’t already outfitted your car with winter tyres, now is definitely the best time to do so.
Emergency supplies
While we hope that your winter travels are safe and without incident, it’s always best to prepare yourself for any occurrences. If you’re expecting to make regular use of your car this winter, it’s definitely wise to pack a bag of essentials and keep it in the boot or back of your car at all times. This way, should you become stranded or stuck in the snow, you won’t be left completely unprepared.
The absolute essentials will be things like a mobile phone with a charger or, better yet, a charged battery pack or power bank. This will let you contact the emergency services or anyone else you need to notify should something happen.
You’ll also want to pack a first aid kit and winter clothes – thick coat, gloves, walking boots etc. – as well as some extra food and drink supplies and a warm sleeping bag, just in case.
Some other things to include in your emergency kit are:
- Road atlas
- Torch and batteries
- Shovel and ice-scraper
- High vis vest
- High vis road hazard sign
- Tow rope and jump-start cables
Keeping your car stocked with these supplies will help you cope with any emergency, whether something happens to your vehicle or if you come across someone else in need of help.
Change your driving style
How you drive will influence how safe you are on the road. This is true in any weather, but becomes even more important during the winter. A cautious approach is always best, even on roads you know extremely well. Winter conditions will make all roads much less predictable, so be mindful of your driving style and make changes as required.
Drive slower and avoid harsh braking and acceleration, slow down in time to take corners smoothly, and be aware of prevailing weather conditions which may further affect the road surface or impede visibility. Drive with common sense, and always in mind that, when driving on the roads in the winter, it’s not just your safety to worry about, but the safety of any passengers and other drivers, as well.
Winter servicing
The best way of preparing your car for the treacherous conditions is to have it serviced by a reliable, professional team. Making sure that your brakes and tyres, as well as your electrics and fluids, are all in good working order will help prevent many potential accidents or problems, making even longer journeys much safer from the start.
Wyatt Auto Services provide a comprehensive service to maintain and improve the condition of your car this winter. We supply and fit dedicated winter tyres, and our expert team can provide in depth car servicing to identify and rectify any problems before they get worse. To find out more about all of our services, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team today,