Motoring

advice FOR winter driving

As temperatures start to get lower and the nights draw in, it means one thing is certain: winter is only around the corner.

Unfortunately, as with much of the UK, there are car accidents on Lincolnshire’s roads every time there’s a cold snap – so anything you can do to help avoid any heartbreak has to be a good thing. The most important message is to err on the side of caution and not get behind the wheel if it’s snowing or a flurry is forecast.

Here’s your checklist to ensure your car is in tip-top condition before the bad weather hits.

1. Get your car serviced

If your car is due a service, get it done before the winter. Take advantage of the free or discounted ‘winter car checks’ offered by some garages.

2. Check the battery

The battery should be the first priority. During the winter months it suffers from a double whammy of cold temperatures - reducing the output - and the increased use of lights, heater and blower, which place it under additional strain. If your car won’t start because of a flat battery, you can try giving it a jump start.

3. Top up engine coolant with antifreeze

Engine coolant should be a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze. You will need to top it up with antifreeze as it becomes diluted over time. 4. Check the condition of your tyres As a car’s tyres are key to both steering and braking, it is essential they are in good condition.

5. Clean your lights

Check that all lights, indicators and rear reflectors are clean. Make sure there are no cracked lenses or blown bulbs, and don’t forget to check full beam headlights, fog lights and indicators.”

6. Wash your windscreen and wipers

Give your windscreen a thorough clean inside and out and top up your screen washer fluid with antifreeze.

7. Prepare for longer journeys

Before setting off on a longer journey, check the weather forecast, travel news and safest routes.

8. Carry a winter car breakdown kit

This should include a shovel, torch, blanket, hivisibility vest, screenwash, food and drink supplies, scraper and de-icer, and snow grips for your shoes in case you need to walk to safety. And don’t forget a fully charged mobile phone.

9. Other important areas

Also, keep at least a quarter of a tank of fuel in case of unexpected delay and check the oil. If you have a bit of motor know-how, check your brake pads, brake discs and brake fluid to ensure the brakes are fast and responsive. Ensure the fan belt and alternator drive belts are tight and not worn and that plugs and other leads are in good condition and secure. If you don’t feel confident making these checks, any garage should be able to help.

Winter car essentials

Here’s a checklist of the items you should always keep in your car over winter:

1. Ice scraper and de-icer

You never know when you’ll wake up to an iced over windscreen or come back to a frozen car after a day out. Make sure you always carry an ice-scraper and de-icer so you can effectively defrost your windscreen. If you don’t remove snow and ice properly, you could get 3 points on your licence and a £100 fine.

2. Torch and spare batteries

Short days and long nights in winter mean you could be getting in and out of your car in the dark. Keep a torch handy to avoid any trips. If you break down, you’ll need to find a safe place to wait for roadside assistance. A torch will help light your way on a dark verge.

3. A fully charged mobile phone

If you’re delayed because of bad weather (or a weather related incident), it’s a good idea to let your loved ones know. It’ll save them worrying and stop any distracting texts and phone calls coming in while you’re behind the wheel. Just remember not to use a handheld phone while driving. Pull into a safe rest stop to make a call or ask a passenger to do it for you.

4. An in-car phone charger or power pack

This’ll help with number 3 on the list, because you don’t want a dead phone battery in an emergency.

5. Sat-nav or a printed route for an unfamiliar journey

The last thing you want is to get lost in the dark on unfamiliar roads. Fiddling with a sat nav could distract you from driving, so planning ahead is the best option.

6. A road atlas

Just in case there are diversions and you don’t have any GPS signal, a road atlas will help you plan a new route.

7. Sunglasses

It might seem strange to put sunglasses on a winter checklist. But actually, the low sun in winter can dazzle drivers and cause glare. Keep your sunnies in the car to make sure your vision isn’t affected.

8. First aid kit

It’s always a good idea to keep a first aid kit in your car. The British Standards Institution has guidelines on what to include like sterile wipes, plasters, dressings and scissors to treat minor wounds. A good kit should have all these.

9. Empty fuel can

You’d be surprised how many breakdowns are caused by running out of fuel. If you keep an empty fuel can in the car, you’ll be able to nip to a filling station for a top up if you do run out.

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