subject: Car Preparation For Winter Months [print this page] Winter is the time of year that the majority of motorists dread. If the snow hits then the whole country seems to go into a state of picnic and is unprepared to deal with long car journeys in the snow. If you think well ahead, have things in your car and also tips in your mind then it will make seeing those white flakes falling from the sky seem less scary.
When the snow does fall then there are things that are out of your control, traffic will be more congested through everybody slowing down. Making sure that you are wrapped up warm before leaving the house is a must. Peoples journeys in the past have ended up taking several hours longer and you need to stay warm and comfortable to concentrate on driving. Also check that the shoes you are wearing are sensible, if they have gotten wet when walking to the car change into a dry pair once in your vehicle, this will make sure your feet have maximum grip on the pedals.
Before you even get into your car there are various things that should be checked. Make sure all lights are working and even put in some spare bulbs, also give them a clean as the snow can cover up lights and dirt from the road will flick up. Check that you have the right amount of screen wash and fuel, also the age of your battery as anything over 5 years should be changed during the winter just in case. A car battery failing is one of the biggest causes of breakdowns during these conditions. Keeping a can of de-icer is also important and top up your cars coolant system with antifreeze.
The minimum requirement for tread on tyres is 1.6mm usually; however during these times it is very important that you have good grip on the roads. The tread should be at least 3mm and definitely no less than 2mm. There are specialised winter tyres that you can purchase, they are designed to give extra grip than regular tyres due to the amount of silica in the tread.
Obviously gentle manoeuvres are the key to driving safely during times when snow is laid down. The stopping distance is 10 times longer during these conditions so making sure there is a lot of room between you and the vehicle in front. Apply brakes gently so you do not skid, and take extra care or try to avoid steep hills if possible. Preparation and research before driving in these conditions is key so take some time to make sure you are confident to drive out.
