Are you and your car winter ready? Our top 10 tips to survive blizzard conditions and snow on the roads
With parts of Britain already enduring blizzard conditions in November and amber warnings in place for temperatures plummeting as low as -12C, some drivers have already found themselves in the unwanted dilemma of getting stranded in snow.This should be seen as the first major warning to motorists to make sure they and their vehicles are now winter ready.But what are the absolute essentials every driver needs to know – and do – ahead of the coldest part of the year? To help you get your ducks in a row, we’ve complied an ultimate top 10 tips for winter driving.It covers everything from simple – but essential – vehicle checks and a list of items you should consider putting in the car in case you get stuck.We’ll also navigate you though coping in winter driving scenarios, such as tackling steep hills and skidding on ice. From putting a shovel in your car to coping with a skid on ice, we’re complied our top 10 tips for winter driving 1. Put these items in your car – you might need themWhile cost-savvy motorists are always urged to empty their vehicles of any unnecessary weight in the summer to ensure they’re as fuel efficient – and clutter free – as possible, that rule doesn’t apply when extreme winter conditions set in.There’s various items you really need to consider storing in the boot or back seats in case you encounter any problems, get stuck or your vehicle breaks down.Among the most vital is a spare set of warm clothes, spare footwear and a blanket, just in case you do get stranded for an extended period of time.A small shovel to dig your car out of a heavy downfall of powder, a phone charger, and a torch are also Here’s 14 things we think you should have in your vehicle – and they shouldn’t take up too much space in the glovebox, door pockets, back seats and boot of your motor: Ice scraper and de-icerExtra screenwashTorchFirst-aid kit Warm clothes, spare footwear (ideally boots)Blanket Food and drink Shovel High-vis jacket and reflective triangle Phone charger Road map (if your phone runs out of battery)Empty fuel canJump leadsTow rope 2. The essential – and regular – checks to your car- BatteryThe most common reason cars breakdown in the months of December to February is battery related, which the AA says is the reason for a quarter of all callouts during this period.This is because your vehicle’s 12-volt battery is under far more strain in the winter than it is in summer.Drivers will almost always be using the car’s heater, headlights and wipers – as well as other comfort features like the screen demister, heated seats and, if you’re very lucky, the heated steering wheel.If you’re not mechanically knowledgeable and the underside of the bonnet is a terrifying and confusing place for you, fear not as a number of autocentres and parts and repair specialists – such as Halfords and KwikFit – offer free battery heath checks. Car breakdowns in the months of December to February are most commonly triggered by the 12V battery. Here’s how to check the health of the one in your vehicleFor those who don’t mind getting their hands dirty, you should check the battery when the car’s engine is cold.Make sure the battery terminals are both tight and clean. And when you start the car, listen out for any sign that it might be struggling to turn over.Usually, a car battery is good for between three to five years depending on how often you drive. If yours is older than that and sounding like it’s labouring on cold starts, now is the best time to replace it to avoid an unwanted problem. After battery issues, the second most common reason motorists suffer breakdowns during the winter is tyre problems. But drivers now also need to thing about fitting specific winter rubber- Tyres Tyres are the second most common reason for breakdown callouts during the winter months, responsible for around one in six patrol requests, the AA says.It is essential that drivers scan all four tyres for any damage – such as nails or foreign objects sticking in the rubber – or any cracks, splits or bulges, especially on the tyre walls (the flat part that wraps about the wheel).You should also check tread depth. While the legal minimum level is 1.6mm, breakdown recovery providers recommend in winter to have at least 3mm. This is to ensure the tread pattern can optimally shift standing water or light snow away from the tyres so they can grip the road better.Also, make sure your tyre pressures are correct. Continental Tyres tells us that it’s normal for tyres to lose pressure over time as air permeates through the tyre – usually at a rate of around 1-3 psi (pounds per square inch) per month. And that’s before the effects of cold weather are taken into account, which sees the air inside the tyre contract and lose 1-2psi for every 10°C drop in the outside temperature.A seriously under-inflated tyre won’t be stiff enough to handle the forces generated through cornering and makes the vehicle more difficult to control and extend braking distances, especially in difficult conditions.It will cost you too, with every 4.3 psi pressure loss resulting in an additional 1.5 per cent use of fuel. And an underinflated tyre will wear out faster and puncture more easily.You can find the recommended ‘psi’ and ‘bar’ in your car’s owner’s manual. This is sometimes listed on a sticker located inside one of the front door sills.If you often drive when temperatures are at their lowest, you might also want to consider fitting winter tyres.These typically operate better than summer tyres below 7 degrees. They also have different tread patterns designed to cope better with less ideal conditions.All-season tyres are also available, which are a middle ground between the two. Antifreeze is essential to prevent the cooling in an engine’s system from freezing, so ensuring there is the correct mix in your car is very important- AntifreezeAntifreeze is designed to prevent the coolant in the engine’s system from freezing, so making sure it’s topped up in your car is a must at this time of year.You can do this yourself. Halfords sells an antifreeze tester, which will tell you the level and strength of coolant.While you should check your coolant level regularly, it’s recommended that you have the concentration checked by a garage ahead of the cold weather setting in. It is absolutely essential to check all your car’s lights work as they should. This is usually a two-person job, but shouldn’t take more than just a few minutes- Lights With the clocks going back signalling shorter days and rush hour now endured in darkness, it is critical to check your lights are all working as they should.Firstly, do a full walk-round to ensure every light – including hazards, indicators and fog lights are working as they should. Ask a friend or work colleague to check that your brake lights are working when you press the pedal.Throughout the coming months, make sure you clean your headlights often. The salt and dirt kicked up by cars in front can build-up quickly and reduce the effectiveness of the beam.It’s also recommended to carry a spare set of bulbs in the car in case one blows en route – though this is only if you have the capacity to change one, which can be a complex process in some modern vehicles. Your window wiper blades might have been damaged by the hot summer conditions, so it might be time to replace them ahead of the season where they get their most use- Wiper bladesThis is arguably the most overlooked part, but it’s one that drivers are reliant on functioning optimally in the winter months.Because they are rubber, they’re susceptible to degrading over time. Often, they can dry out, crack or split – especially in the hotter summer months – which stops them from performing in winter, when you need them most.That’s why it’s best to make sure they are clearing your entire screen effectively and quietly – because there are few things more infuriating than the repeated squeak of a worn-out wiper blade on an arduous journey in the rain or snow.It’s also worth noting that even a brand-new set of wiper blades can cause you a big problem in the winter if, in freezing conditions, you switch them on as soon as you start the car. The RAC says callouts for blown fuses spike at this time of year because drivers have failed to defrost their windscreens before using the wipers, which are frozen to the glass and not able to move.- Washer fluid The winter months mean there will be far more grime on the roads than during warner parts of the year.Rain, snow and ice, combined with heavily salted roads, guarantees your wiper blades and washers are going to be exceptionally busy – and the latter emptied a lot quicker than usual. Which is why you need to check the fluid level regularly, especially before long journeys. When weather warnings are in place, it is essential to check your route is unaffected before leaving – this is especially the case for familiar journeys, like commuting, when you’re unlikely to use a navigation app3. Always check traffic reports before any journeyIt might sound bleeding obvious, but the cause of many people getting stuck in winter-related jams and breakdowns is caused by not checking the route before departing.This is especially the case when commuting or performing regular journeys where motorists are unlikely to turn on their sat-nav or use one of the numerous navigation apps, like Waze, Google or Apple Maps.No matter where you’re heading when there are reports of snow and weather warnings, it’s best plan ahead by checking one of the apps or the AA’s Route Planner – or by tuning into your local radio station for travel updates. And leave plenty of time to complete your journey with the assumption it will take longer than normal. Drivers can be fined up to £2,500 if police catch you driving with snow piled on your car that could be deemed hazardous to you or other road users Having a dirty number plate at this time of year is no excuse and could land you with a £1,000 fine if the police deem it unreadable4. Essential walkaround checks before driving offBefore even considering driving away, there are a number of factors to consider when ensuring your motor is safe – and legal.Completely de-ice and demist the windscreen, windows and all mirrors to ensure you have full visibility all around the vehicle. If there’s been a fresh downfall, remove any snow from your roof to prevent it sliding down onto your windscreen and blocking it. Driving with a pile of snow on the car is also dangerous for the cars behind you, as it blows off. Failing to remove snow can land you with a fine of up to £2,500 if police catch you.As well as clearing snow off the vehicle, make sure the number plates are clearly visible front and back. Having registration plates covered in thick dirt or snow and is no longer readable is also an offence that could see motorists stung with a fine of £1,000. When the snow hits, drive as smoothly as you possibly can and consider using a gear higher than you normally would to prevent the tyres from spinning5. Adapting your driving for the conditionsWhen driving on snow-covered or icy roads, it is paramount that you adapt to these conditions – and this means operating both the throttle and brake pedal as smoothly as possible.Try to accelerate steadily using low revs, which will mean using a gear higher than you typically would in the dry. Even when moving away from a standstill, consider using the second gear to reduce the chances of the wheels spinning on the slippery surface beneath.If you drive a car with an automatic gearbox, feather the throttle on acceleration to keep the engine revs low. Most modern cars are now fitted with adaptable driving modes for different conditions and scenarios. If yours has this feature, check to see if there is a ‘snow’ or ‘off-road’ setting available. If not, use the ‘eco’ mode, which electronically makes acceleration smoother. And if you have selectable all-wheel drive, it goes without saying that you should make the most of the function. Always avoid using cruise control in the snow as it will not be able to react to the current conditions. It is always better to be in complete control of your vehicle. 6. Using your lights correctlyWe’ve already covered checking that the lights on your car are working correctly and cleared of snow and dirty, but you too need to think about how you’re using them at this time of year.In heavy snow, make sure that you select the dipped beam setting; relying on your car’s daytime running lights is not enough.If visibility drops so low that you can’t see an object 100 metres in front of you clearly, turn on the fog lights. And remember to turn these off when the visibility improves.It’s also worth carrying a pair of sunglasses in the car – it will reduce the glare of low winter sun reflecting off the snow.7. Leave plenty of room ahead When the roads are compromised by winter conditions and temperatures, it is imperative that you drive at a speed that feel comfortable and safe, especially if tarmac has not yet been gritted.Be aware of wheel tracks in snow left by other vehicles – the compounding of the white stuff could make it more slippery than driving on fresh snow.Stopping distances when the road is covered in snow and ice will be dramatically extended, so give as much as 10 times the recommended gap to a vehicle up ahead. If you’re approaching a hill in the snow, leave plenty of room ahead and make sure you are at a constant speed without needing to change gear8. Tackling hillsIf you live somewhere particularly hilly, be ready to adapt your driving for an ascent or descent.When you’re about to drive up a hill, leave plenty of room to the vehicle in front so you can maintain a constant speed without needing to change gear.And when coming downhill, choose a low gear to keep the revs high to increase engine braking – this is safer than having to operate the brakes, which can be harder to control and cause a skid. Again, leave plenty of space to any other vehicles on the road. 9. How to react if your car skids on ice or snowOn snow and ice-covered roads that haven’t been gritted or salted, there is a chance you could encounter a skid.It’s firstly important to try not to panic (easier said than done, we know). Drivers should steer gently into the direction of the skid – for example, if the rear of the car is sliding to the right, steer to the right. And do not take your hands off the steering wheel or stamp your foot on the brakes as this could trigger an even greater loss of control. When drivers are faced with scenes like this, the most essential question to ask is if you really need to head out onto the road10. Last and not least, ask yourself if you REALLY need to drive when there’s snow on the roads…When the roads are covered in snow, the first thing every motorist needs to ask themselves is this: ‘Is it absolutely necessary to get behind the wheel?’For those living in busy towns and cities, most major roads will likely be salted and cleared, at least after some time, unless snowfall is extremely heavy.However, for those in rural and remote parts of the country, you will need to be mindful that not all routes will have been treated, especially first thing in the morning. Despite recommendations from motoring and road safety groups to avoid driving if the conditions are particularly bad, almost a fifth of drivers would risk getting behind the wheel when a severe weather warning has been issued.A recent survey of 12,000 motorists conducted by the AA found that a third of people will drive even when there’s a Met Office red weather warning in place en route. A red warning signifies there could be risk to life, substantial travel disruption and damage to property and infrastructure. Additionally, two thirds (62 per cent) said they would not change their plans if there was an amber weather warning.The best way to avoid an accident or problems in the snow, is not to drive in bad conditions. So, unless your journey is essential, seriously consider not doing so. 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Δημοσιεύτηκε: 2025-11-20 11:31:00
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