Winter Car Checks for Driving in Snow and Ice [Checklist]
Reading time 5 minutes
Categories Driving Tips » Safety »
Winter Car Checks for Driving in Snow and Ice [Checklist]
Reading time 5 minutes
Categories Driving Tips » Safety »
When it comes to ensuring your car is safe for use over winter, there are various checks you should be doing and precautions you should be taking. In this article and accompanying video, we will go through some of the top winter car checks drivers should carry out to keep their car safe and ready for driving in snow and ice.
You can find the checks laid out as a handy checklist which you can save or print off to keep, at the bottom of this article.
It is important to check the antifreeze levels in your vehicle’s cooling system. This check should be carried out, on average, every two years to ensure the levels are correct at a 50/50 water-to-antifreeze ratio.
Ensure there is enough de-icer within your windscreen solution so if you need to clean the glass with your wipers on a freezing cold day, the solution will not simply freeze on your windscreen.
Along with antifreeze, an ice scraper is an essential piece of kit to carry in your car in the event of an iced-over windscreen. Attempting to drive with a windscreen covered in ice is not only difficult but incredibly dangerous, and should not be attempted under any circumstances if vision is severely obscured.
Having the correct pressure and tread in your tyres is an important factor in your vehicle’s safety and functionality year-round, but particularly so in those winter months when the ground gets more unpredictable and potentially slippery and dangerous. For more rural areas that are likely to suffer with heavy snow, winter tyres are a serious possibility to consider as well for maximum traction and stability on slippery, difficult ground.
In the instance of getting stuck in snowy or icy conditions, it is wise to have an emergency kit stored inside your car which can aid in the event of any difficulties. The kit could include food and drink supplies, a blanket and high visibility clothing along with a whole host of other handy items.
There is nothing worse than being stranded with not enough petrol to get you to your destination. This is the case even more so in treacherous conditions of snow, high winds and ice, so always ensure your tank is comfortably full before setting off on any journeys.
As a precaution, it is always wise to carry jumper cables in your vehicle so that in the event of your engine failing, you can jump-start it and get your car on the move rather than being stranded where you are.
Make sure you have the battery and charging system within your car checked for optimum performance, as cold weather in particular is very hard on batteries and can affect their functionality.
When the weather turns, make sure you have the brakes checked. The most important safety item in any vehicle, the brakes need to work perfectly year-round, especially during the colder winter months when there is ice on the ground.
Check your exhaust system for possible carbon monoxide leaks. These can be especially dangerous during colder weather when drivers will have their windows closed whilst driving.
Make sure that all lights on the exterior and interior of your vehicle are in full working order, and headlights are properly aimed.
It goes without saying that all vehicles and drivers need the relevant insurance to be safely driven on the roads. Be sure, however, to double check your cover to see whether comprehensive breakdown insurance is included within your plan, as in the colder winter months, the likelihood of a breakdown or running into difficulties with your vehicle are higher – this is due to the drop in temperature and often unpredictable conditions and terrain.
Ensure that heaters and defrosters are working properly to warm up the car from the inside for the benefit of passengers as well as the clarity and subsequent visibility of the vehicle’s glass.
One thing that is important to carry in your vehicle during winter along with an emergency kit and jump leads is that of a shovel. Should your car become stuck in a snow drift, a shovel could mean the difference between being trapped in one place and being able to free up your vehicle, allowing it to be driven away.
Here at The Windscreen Company, we have years of experience providing effective and affordable windscreen advice, solutions and repairs, and would be happy to advise you on the cause of the problem to ensure your windscreen is in tip-top condition this winter. Contact our friendly team of experts today to find out more.
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