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Driving in winter can be treacherous because of ice, snow and darker conditions. However, you can stay ahead of the cold bite and the dangers it brings by being prepared with your car. From essential maintenance to keeping the windows and lights clean, here are some suggestions.
FLOWER Check the Car
FLOWER checks will only take a few minutes of your time, but can be the difference between a successful journey and being stranded in the cold. Before heading off, take some time to ensure you have enough charge or petrol/gas/diesel. Also, check the lights are working, front and back and take some spare van batteries if needed. Also check the fluids, such as oil and water, are adequate, then test the electrics, such as the dash, windows and heating, and the tyre tread.
Carry Out Essential Maintenance
Like the hot summer, cold winters also demand specific maintenance to ensure your car runs as well as it can. This includes using winter-grade screenwash for the windscreen instead of water, which, of course, will freeze. It also helps to ensure the battery is working correctly, and you can use some time before your journey to warm up the engine. This ensures that the battery charges and that fluids like oil warm up, all helping the vehicle run smoothly during winter.
Pack an Emergency Kit when Driving in Winter
In the UK alone, the percentage of roadside car breakdowns increases by around 22%. While winter is a wonderful time of year, it is also dangerous. If you want to do Christmas on a budget without extra costs, then it can help to be prepared for a vehicle emergency. A car emergency kit should include at least a snow shovel, de-icer, an ice scraper and a working torch. Of course, you need to look after yourself with blankets, food, water and a charged phone.
Clear the Windows and Lights
Can you drive with your eyes closed? When the windows are full of dirt and grime, they are much harder to see out of, especially when dealing with sun glare on a bright and crisp winter morning. This alone makes keeping your car clean a priority during winter. However, the lights can also get dirty, and this can reduce their effectiveness in the dark and fog. Before heading off, it can help to give them a wipe down, but avoid using hot water as this can cause cracks.
Plan the Journey and Check the Weather
Winter weather can be unpredictable, and you need to make sure you can get to your destination and back without incident. One of the best tools you have is the route weather reports on TV, radio and the web. Even a quick check will let you know what conditions to expect before heading off. If your journey is potentially dangerous, then it might be best to wait for better conditions, or you could basically be dicing with death when setting out in winter.
Summary
A quick FLOWER check of your car’s components can help you stay prepared when driving in winter. Of course, being prepared also means packing an emergency kit just in case. And you can avoid a major incident by checking the weather to see if it is even safe to drive at the time.
