Motoring: Winterise Your Car

Winterise Your Car

Old car

It always pays to keep your car in good shape, but cold winter weather makes extra demands of you and your vehicle. As the nights draw in it's a good idea to spend extra time making sure that your car is in tip-top condition - and some winter-specific preparations could save you a nightmare on a cold night.

With this in mind, here's a list of sensible ways to make sure you're prepared this winter, no matter how far you've got to drive.

Before You Set Off

Make sure your car is regularly serviced. Some garages offer services tailored specifically to winter driving, so look into what's available at your local garage and compare prices from a few.

Check that your lights are clean, undamaged, and that your headlights are properly aligned.
Check windscreen wiper blades for wear and splitting, replacing any that are damaged or that judder badly. Topping up your screenwash with a winter additive will stop it freezing in cold weather.
Make sure that your antifreeze levels are adequate. If you're not sure what kind of antifreeze to use consult your owner's handbook, call a local dealership or ask in a car accessories shop.
Check tyres for pressure and tread depth. The current legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm. The greater your tread depth, 3mm should be the minimum, the safer you will be driving in poor conditions. Don't forget to check your spare, too.

Make sure you take

High-energy food.
Plenty of water.
A blanket and waterproof clothing.
Any medication you might need if you get stuck in your car for any length of time.
A fully-charged mobile phone or money for a phone box.
Jump leads - but follow instructions in your car manual for use.
A tow rope.
First aid kit.
A bright torch with long life or spare batteries.

Immediately before you go

Check the weather forecast for the area of your journey. If it looks bad, think whether you really need to travel. The Highways Agency website provides traffic information that includes any weather warnings in force.
Don't use warm water to de-ice your windscreen - use a proper scraper or de-icer. Hot water from the kettle could lead to a cracked windscreen, which could be costly.
Before you set off make sure you have good visibility and that you've cleared all windows of ice and mist. Driving with poor visibility is dangerous and illegal.

When you're driving

Don't use the car's windscreen wash until your engine and heating is thoroughly warm; a cold windscreen can freeze the water, obscuring your view.
Keep topped-up with plenty of fuel in case of delays.
Try to avoid quiet roads. Main roads are more likely to have been gritted, and it will be easier for emergency or breakdown services to reach you if you are unlucky.
Always use your headlights in rain or snow, and to increase your visibility when the sun is low in the sky.
If visibility is below 100 meters you may legally use front or rear fog lights, but remember to turn them off if things improve. Never follow the fog lights of the car in front, and keep your speed right down.
Bad conditions require more time for braking and accelerating. Make sure you leave more of a gap between you and the driver in front in poor conditions.

If the worst happens

Stay with your vehicle unless it is in a dangerous place. It will provide shelter until emergency or breakdown services can get to you.
If you have a warning triangle, place it 100 metres or so behind your car to warn other drivers - further away on a motorway or in heavy ice & snow.
Only call the emergency services if you've had an accident, broken down in a dangerous place or if you or a passenger needs medical attention. If you're on a motorway, note the number on the nearest marker post.
If you've broken down but your car isn't likely to cause an accident, call a breakdown service and take their advice on whether to call the emergency services.
If you need to run your engine for heat, make sure that the area around your exhaust pipe is clear of snow.

Winter Driving Links

The Highways Agency General information and advice about UK roads
Traffic Information
Up-to-date details of traffic conditions, and a traffic forecaster
BBC Travel News The latest traffic & travel information from the BBC.
MET Office Check weather conditions before you set out
The AA Seasonal driving advice from The AA
RAC RAC Winter motoring page
Motorway Services
Find which of the services is best for food, or the worse!

Southwark Disablement Association