Tips for Driving in the Winter – Cold, Snow and Ice

Before you even set off on your journey its important to PLAN and stay safe!

Allow extra time for winter journeys
Factor in the time it will take to de-ice the car and windows. It takes longer than you think to do it properly
Check your fuel levels. Its advisable to keep at least a quarter of a tank in case of any unforseeable delays..
Check anti freeze levels
Check your oil levels
Are your windscreen wipers in good condition?
Try to plan your journey so it favour major roads. These are much more likely to be clear and gritted
Check all your car lights are working and the lenses are clean

Tyres

Ensure your tyres are correctly inflated
Check the tread depth. This should be a minimum of 3mm
Consider getting winter tyres – these are made from special rubber compounds which give greater grip in cooler conditions

Vehicle breakdowns are much more common in the winter. The road conditions can be really challenging, especially when snow and ice appear.

HOWEVER, no matter how well equipped your own car is, if an accident occurs ahead of you, you could be stuck for a long time with everyone else…. So if you are going to be driving in these conditions, pack a winter emergency kit, just in case.