With winter fast approaching there are a lot of important steps to best prepare your car for the next few months of driving. The winter season really is an ‘enjoy responsibly’ time of year.
Whether driving a small hatchback, the latest showstopper from Ferrari, or anything in between, it is imperative to prepare for winter to help reduce your chances of suffering an accident or having to make a claim. Winterising in plenty of time can really lessen the burden for when the cold snap hits.
Here, we outline some essential winter vehicle tips, as well as remind you of some of the basics, in the form of a winter car checklist.
Driving in winter
This time of the year brings with it numerous perils, but also fantastic beauty. We are not trying to reinvent the wheel here, but rather act as an “aide memoire”.
A few ‘driving in winter’ basics:
- Allow extra time for your journey and fully defrost the car before setting off
- Check the weather forecast before setting off
- Ensure all lights on your vehicle are working effectively
- Plan routes which are more likely to have been gritted and cleared
- Ensure you have plenty of fuel to allow for unexpected delays or route changes
- Use the correct driving mode (where applicable) for the conditions; for automatics, check your handbook as some have settings to assist in winter conditions.
Now that we’ve covered some of the basics, below we outline some of the other things drivers need to consider as we head into the midst of winter but that are often overlooked.
Winter tyres
Winter tyres can improve your braking distance and provide more grip in snow, mud and icy conditions than their summer counterparts but also function brilliantly on dry roads. If you follow F1, you may have heard the teams talking about tyres – for the non-F1 fans, please bear with us, as there is a point here. During the last few races, teams have had to use intermediate and full wet tyres to allow them to navigate the track as quickly as possible in the rain. Just like an F1 car, road cars need to use appropriate tyres for the conditions. You will quite often see the drivers swerving across the track and braking heavily to generate heat; this warms the tyre (the rubber compound within it) to make it softer and give it more grip. So, in winter tyres, the rubber compound is softer at lower temperatures meaning it can better adapt to the road surface, giving you the best traction possible to improve safety.
On the point of tyres, it is also important to ensure the tyre is in the best health. Check the tread depth and ensure it is above 1.6mm but be aware that winter tyres are suggested to have 3-4mm minimum. You should also make sure the tyre pressures are correct to allow the tyre to have the best contact it can to the road.
Another tip is to have a set of snow chains (tyre chains) or tyre socks; these give better traction in snow and icy conditions as well as improve handling should you get caught out by the weather.
Winter safety kit
Winter kits are useful for all journeys, and it’s suggested you have with you the following – an ice scraper, first aid kit, hot drinks and snacks, jump leads, warning triangle, warm winter jacket, a hi-vis vest or coat (to keep you safe by affording other motorists more time to react), gloves, blankets, flashlight, your mobile phone and a charger. It may seem like overkill but remember you are preparing for events beyond your control, which might be weather conditions or suffering due to other drivers not having taken the right precautions.
Car servicing
It is best practice to have your car serviced before winter to ensure it is functioning to its optimum standard. It is also prudent to check that the anti-freeze and washer fluid is topped up. With washer fluid, you also want to make sure it is freeze-resistant to prevent the lines from becoming blocked with ice and potentially splitting. It is also worth having the battery checked as the freezing cold nights can kill aged batteries; a car’s battery rarely lasts longer than 5 years due to the load put on them throughout the year. Changing the wiper blades is also something to consider as it will help to provide a streak-free, unbroken line of sight.
Vehicle preparation
Finally, below, we outline some of the things to check before you set off on a journey this winter.
- Make sure lights and number plates are clear of mud and road grime. It is a good idea to have some wipes in the car should the roads leave your vehicle an attractive grey and plates unreadable.
- Frequently wash your vehicle to prevent road salt from building up and causing/worsening corrosion.
- Clear any snow off your vehicle before setting off. This prevents it sliding from the roof onto the windscreen, obscuring your view. Clearing the snow also protects other road users following you from being hit unexpectedly by falling snow. There are two points to note here from a legal standpoint; should the snow slip onto the windscreen you could be penalised for ‘using a motor vehicle in a dangerous condition’, and should the snow affect another vehicle then you could be penalised for ‘driving without due consideration’. These offences can bring with them 3 – 9 penalty points on your license and a fine of between £60 and £5000, amongst other things.
Driving in winter brings with it a great deal of responsibility for your safety and the safety of other road users but equally, it gives us the opportunity to visit loved ones over the festive period, and beyond. By addressing the maintenance and best practice guidance above, you will be better prepared for the challenges winter driving can bring, and reduce your chances of having to make a claim.
If you would like to discuss any element of your motor insurance with us, please do not hesitate to contact your Account Handler or, alternatively, call us on 01653 697055 or email enquiries@mcclarroninsurance.com.
Now we’ve looked at cars, why not read our blog post about how to prepare your property for the winter months here?
