In the past, we’ve covered how to prepare your premises for the wintery conditions that will soon be upon us. More often than not, as the cold weather rolls in, it’s getting around that causes us the real issues.
Does your company have its own fleet or travelling salesmen? Do a large proportion of your employees commute by car? Here are some driving tips to keep you safe this winter.
Preparation:
Before your wheels even start turning, there’s a lot you need to tick off:
Properly clear your vehicle of snow and ice
Driving with snow or frost on your vehicle poses a threat to yourself, and other drivers. Frosty windows will hinder your view. Loose snow coming off your vehicle will hinder the view of other drivers.
Ensure your windscreen, rear window, side windows, back windows and mirrors are all clear. This way you can see all around you, including your blind spot over your shoulders.
Brush off any loose snow from the top of your car, to avoid it falling off when travelling at speed.
Look after your battery
Cold weather isn’t all too good for your battery. In winter, it’s more likely your vehicle with fail or struggle to start. The best way to ensure a first-time start is to only use your battery to turn the engine over. Turn off all lights, wipers, heaters, radio’s and more before turning off your engine. This way when you start your engine, the battery is solely focused on turning the engine over. It is not trying to power all the extra power drainers as well.
It’s worthwhile getting your battery checked before the cold weather sets in. Check the charge, then top it up or replace it if there’s a fault.
Check your wipers are turned off before turning the engine over.
After a night out in the cold, your windscreen will often be coated in frost. Unfortunately, your wipers will likely be securely frozen to it.
Turning your engine over when your wipers are turned on is an easy way to burn out your wiper motor. This will not only set you back a few quid, but also make it so your car isn’t safe to drive in wintery conditions.
Be strict with your tyres
Be strict when checking your tyres for tread – even if they’re technically legal. The demands of driving in snow, ice and rain are much greater than driving in clear dry weather. Newer tyres could be the difference between having grip, or sliding into the hedgerow.
Use appropriate screenwash, or know when to use it
Your screenwash is vital in winter conditions. Road salt, brake dust and muddy water are often sprayed onto your windscreen. If you’re using water or low quality screen wash, it’s likely to freeze in the pipes.
Invest in good quality screenwash. If this isn’t an option, try to avoid using it until your engine has warmed up a little. It’s common for the nozzles to freeze, causing a backup of screenwash in the pipes. Your engine will solve this problem for you, in time.
Pack some breakdown essentials
At the best of times, breaking down isn’t enjoyable. In freezing, wet, dark conditions, it’s rather undesirable – even dangerous. Packing some essentials in your car boot is always advisable, even more so in the winter months.
- Good sturdy shoes
- A hazard triangle
- A torch
- A warm blanket
- A coat/jacket
- First aid kit
- A charged phone or battery bank
View our winter driving kits and first aid kits.
Plan ahead & give yourself time
Planning ahead could save you a lot of time in the winter. Journey times vary to those on fairer days. Plan carefully which roads you wish to take before you start your journey. You might decide to take well gritted and relatively straight Motorways, instead of winding A & B Roads. Preparation will save you time, and keep you safe.
Driving
Accelerate and brake gently
Hard acceleration and powerful braking usually results in wheelspin, in snowy or wet conditions. When your wheels are spinning, you’re not in control.
Be gentle with your vehicle. Squeeze the accelerator gently and keep your revs as low as possible. All the while giving yourself plenty of room to come to a slow and steady stop when required.
Select a higher gear
The higher the gear, the lower the revs, and the less chance of wheelspin. Where possible, get the next gear up as soon as is possible to do so. You could even try setting off in second gear if you feel comfortable. Your chances of spinning when trying to set off are significantly reduced if you’re doing so in a higher gear.
Maintain a safe stopping distance
Stopping distances greatly increase in poorer conditions. Keep this at front of mind at all times. In snow and ice the distance required to stop increases by about 10x. Dropping back from the vehicle in front is vital. Not only is it important to give yourself time to stop, but not to panic, should you need to.
Slamming on the brakes may cause your wheels to lock up. Whilst the ABS in most cars will remedy this – coming to a smooth and slow stop is always preferable.
Engine braking
Selecting a lower gear than is desirable for your speed will cause your car to slow down via engine braking. Day to day, this isn’t something that most would find particularly useful. Yet, in snowy conditions it can be the difference between coming to a slow stop or sliding out of control.
When travelling downhill or coming to a smooth stop, selecting a lower gear and lifting up the clutch will cause your car to slow. This is particularly useful when travelling downhill. It slows the momentum of the car, without the risk of locking the wheels up.
Brake before the bend
This is good advice for all driving conditions, but where grip is limited, it’s important to reduce your speed before you turn into a bend. Gently slow down as your approach a corner, get your speed right, then turn in. Turning and braking on a slippery corner could result in your sliding off the road. Should you start to skid, it’s important to remember to always steer gently into the skid and avoid stamping on the break.
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