Winter driving
As we enter winter time, driving conditions drastically change as the temperature drops, meaning that extra precautions should be taken. Here is some key information for being prepared for driving this winter.
How to prepare
The journey – First of all, think about whether your journey is really necessary and whether you can walk there instead. Another thing is to check if the route you’re taking has any traffic or road works as these could interfere with your journey.
Tyres – Tyre health is crucial to check when it comes to winter. Regardless of the condition of your tires, once the roads become icy, you have less grip, meaning more anticipation is required and braking distance is increased. Make sure that your tyres have the legal limit of 1.6mm tread and have no cuts or bulges. If you can, is it also recommended to switch to a set of winter tyres as these are more suited to the new road conditions
Visibility – Make sure all the windows in your car are cleared of frost before setting off. Do not try to let your window wipers break away the frost as this can damage them. Instead, let the car warm up and let the aircon melt the frost away. If you are in a rush, use a frost wiper as this is the quickest way.
How to drive in the winter
Braking – Winter conditions can impact your car’s brakes due to factors like cold temperatures, reduced traction on icy roads, and corrosion from road treatments. Practice gentle braking to avoid skidding and maintain a safe following distance from other cars to allow yourself more time to react. You should leave 10 times the normal gap between you and the car in front.
Taking corners – when taking a corner or going on a roundabout it is quite common for cars to skid out of control when the roads are icy. Take corners at a slower speed and if you have a habit of coasting, try to keep the car in gear as you have more control. If you ever find the rear end of your car skidding, gently steer into it and not in the other direction. You do not want to brake suddenly or grab the steering wheel harshly.
Taking care of your car – Driving a cold car can cause harm to the engine over time, especially in winter. This happens more if you are driving short journeys, meaning the engine does not have enough time to warm up. If you are driving this winter, it’s a good idea to let the car start and idle for a few minutes to let the engine warm up. If you can’t do this, just drive the car more gently, meaning no accessive acceleration, fast gear changes, and harsh braking.
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