With winter approaching, this can increase the risk of having a car crash or breaking down as slippery roads mix with the effects of cold weather on a vehicle’s electrics, tyres and battery. The darker nights also mean longer evenings and extra car congestion as more people decide to use their vehicles as opposed to greener methods such as walking or cycling.
To help motorists stay safe during the winter, we have put together a simple check list for road users to use to reduce their risk behind the wheel.
Fuel
Any other time of year, you may be a bit careless when it comes to how much fuel you have in your tank but running out of fuel and breaking down in winter is much more hazardous than doing so in the summer. Keep your tank topped up to at least halfway so you’re not left out in the cold if you run out.
Oil
Oil is the lubricant that keeps car parts running. Without it the engine seizes and costs thousands of pounds to repair. So, finding the dip stick and making sure you have enough oil for the engine can save you a fortune.
Tyres
The legal minimum tyre tread during the winter months is 3mm, which is almost twice the 1.6mm minimum tread requirement during any other season. It is important to ensure that your tyres are legal for winter driving.
It may be worth investing in some winter tyres as these retain their softness at lower temperatures and provide a stronger grip on slippery surfaces. Here at Bodymek, we are happy to suggest and fit the right tyres for your vehicle in winter.
Coolant
Check the level of coolant in the engine and if necessary, top up with a 50-50 mix of water and antifreeze solution. The antifreeze stops the water in your engine’s cooling system from freezing in low temperatures. If the water freezes, it will expand and cause significant damage to your engine. Antifreeze also helps prevent scale build and corrosion inside the pipes.
Lights
The winter doesn’t only see us hit with cold weather; we also see the days getting much shorter which means you’ll be using your lights much more. Before setting off on every journey, check all of your lights are working correctly.
Screen Wash
Preparing your car for winter is important and one of the key steps is to ensure your car is topped up with screen wash. Without it, the wet winter roads will flood your windscreen with dirt and grime – as many poor motorists have discovered the hard way. It’s also illegal to drive without screen wash in your car’s windscreen washer reservoir.
Also, make sure you pick a screen wash with a low freezing temperature and follow the guidelines on the bottle for the correct concentration.
Emergency Supplies
As well as carrying out these checks, it is highly recommended that you always keep an emergency bag full of essential equipment, should you find yourself in a tricky situation. Your emergency bag should include:
- Mobile phone charger
- Blankets
- Snow shovel
- Torch
- Salt or sand
- De-icer and an ice scraper
- Jump leads for your battery
- Bottle of water
- Snacks
- Screen wash
- First aid kit
Before setting off in your car, particularly if it’s a long journey to a remote area, then you should definitely use our top tips to make sure you have a safe journey, and are fully prepared for all possibilities.
