Advice for Winter Motoring

GETTING THE CAR READY

Cooling System: Check the strength of your anti-freeze at the start of the winter.

Ignition system: Check that your battery is topped up and healthy and be kind in winter by minimising the load placed on it. Three simple ways to do this are: Avoid over use the starter motor, short bursts with long pauses between; Switch off all auxiliary equipment before starting the car; Switch of the screen de-misters when the windows are clear.

Air intake: Check to see if your air intake has a winter position, if so, make the appropriate adjustment. (Is the air filter clean?)

Lights: You should carry a spare set of light bulbs all year round, however, this is probably more important in winter when your lights are getting extra use. Make sure that you have wash leathers and/or rags to keep your lights clean in the winter and check to ensure that they are clear and clean as often as possible.

Brakes: It may seem obvious to state that brakes should be in good order, however, your wheels will lock earlier on ice than in other situations and so even the slightest problems can cause major skids in winter.

Tyres: Trying to squeeze the last five-hundred miles out of a set of tyres can be counter-productive in winter. You want as much grip as possible when the snow comes (at least 3mm of tread).

Windscreen washers: These are less likely to freeze up if the system is clean. Keep a supply of screen-wash additive in the car, this prevents the washer-bottle contents from freezing. Don’t use engine anti-freeze in screen washers, apart from

smearing your screen it may well strip your paintwork!

Wiper blades: These will have to work harder in winter so make sure that they are in good condition.

Carry a shovel, extra clothing, maybe a flask and some food, a famous chocolate bar is always handy!

DRIVING

When moving off in snow and ice use the highest gear possible – this will usually be second. If you encounter wheel-spin, ease off the gas, otherwise you will simply ‘polish’ the snow and ice, making it more slippery. ‘Rock’ the car back and forth to get it moving (clutch up and down).

Sacks under the rear wheels can help the tyres to grip. Once you are moving, keep your speed down and use the highest practical gear. Gentle use of all controls is essential. Although we all consider ourselves to be expert, smooth drivers, it is not always the case.

Climbing hills can pose particular problems on slippery roads. Always leave plenty of space between yourself and the car ahead before starting your ascent. Stop and wait for a clear road if necessary, otherwise you may end up being stuck (literally) behind less skillful drivers. For short hills you may consider reversing up in front-wheel-drive vehicles – this way the driving wheels will carry more weight and have more grip. Zig-zagging can also help your wheels to grip.

Use low gears to help hold you back when descending slippery hills. Select the gear as early as possible. Try to avoid using the brakes or changing gear while descending.

It’s very easy to be lulled into a false sense of security when sitting in a warm car. Remember that it’s freezing out there and so there are likely to be icy patches! Watch out on roads with an adverse camber, water can run across and freeze leaving a skating rink surface. Places where the winter sun never reaches, for example, under trees and in hollows, can also be icy. Overpasses and bridges are also prone to freezing conditions as cool air passes beneath them.

If your journey isn’t necessary then consider staying at home.

Allison Price