10 Tips for Safe Winter Driving

Winter presents numerous driving challenges. In colder temperatures, vehicle components face increased strain, while rain, snow, and ice create their own challenges for driving conditions. Here are our 10 tips for staying safe throughout winter:

1  Keep the Essentials in your Vehicle

• Ice scraper and De-icer: To clear your windscreen and car of frost, snow and ice.
• Clothing, footwear and blankets: Warm, waterproof and high visibility, in the event of having to exit your vehicle or wait for assistance.
• A fully charged mobile phone: To call out a mechanic if you break down or give your loved ones a call if you are going to be late. Plus, smart phones have a torch if you need to exit your vehicle in the dark, and maps means you’ll be able to plan a new route if there are diversions.
• A shovel and bag of salt or grit: To clear a path for your vehicle.

2  Change your Coolant

Despite what you might think, vehicle overheating is more prevalent during winter. The temperature gauge being in the red zone, burning smells or an excessively hot bonnet all serve as warning signs.

If necessary, perform a coolant change according to the OEM specifications to prevent overheating. If unsure about the last change, it’s recommended to be cautious and change it anyway.

3  Check your Tyres

Inspect your tyres for visible damage such as cracks, bulges, or punctures, which are all signs that a repair or replacement is necessary.

Check the tread depth of your tyres. The legal minimum tread depth for car tyres is 1.6mm, but you should consider replacing your winter tyres if it is lower than 3mm. Driving with tyres with low tread poses risks such as reduced grip and increased chances of aquaplaning.

Maintaining the right tyre pressure also ensures your vehicle’s safety. A slightly reduced tyre pressure might help you handle icy roads better, however, both overinflated and underinflated tyres can impact your car’s handling and traction, particularly in colder conditions.

4  Be Clear

Clear windows, lights, mirrors and number plate of snow, ice and mist. Failing to do so could result in a fine and penalty points on your licence. You must clear all windows, clearing just the driver’s side of the windscreen isn’t sufficient. The Highway Code also requires drivers to remove any snow that could fall off the vehicle and into the path of other road users.

5  Don’t Forget the Lubricants

To reduce the risk of breakdowns, warm your engine up before setting off. This increase in temperature allows the lubricants to flow around the engine better, ensuring proper engine protection.

Also, use winter grade lubricants in your car. They have been specifically tested in colder conditions and often have lower freezing temperatures. (To know whether your oil has been tested at low temperatures, look for a ‘w’ in the title e.g. 5w30.)

We advise keeping a 1L top-up of engine oil in your car just in case your warning light makes a surprise appearance!

6   Keep your Distance

Wet surfaces can almost double your stopping distance, whereas driving in snow or on ice can make your stopping distance ten times longer. If the road is wet, drive carefully and decrease your speed to allow for a greater stopping distance.

7  Don’t Brake

When your car is skidding, refrain from using the brakes as it can cause your vehicle to spin. If braking is necessary to avoid a collision, gentle and intermittent braking, rather than a forceful application is recommended.

When your car skids, you should steer in the direction of the skid, but try to avoid sudden or jerky movements of the wheel. If the car then skids in the opposite direction, turn into each subsequent skid to regain control and bring the vehicle back to its intended path.

8  Take your Time

To reduce the risk of an accident, drive at a slower and more cautious pace, matching your speed to the driving conditions. Opt for a longer route if it is a safer option, such as main roads that are more likely to be gritted, and allocate additional time for your journey to prevent being in a rush.

You should also avoid overtaking other vehicles when weather and road conditions are poor. Snow covered roads can accumulate more snow or slush between lanes, making lane changes more challenging.

9  Use Fuel Treatments

Use a fuel treatment when you fill up your tank. In cold weather, your vehicle’s MPG drops, significantly reducing fuel economy. Millers Oils Diesel and Petrol Power ECOMAX contain cetane/ octane boosters and detergents which maintain a clean fuel system, operating at optimal performance. Additionally, the added lubricity in the fuel helps to minimise wear on components.

10  Stay Alert!

Make sure you’re well rested and well prepared. Reduced visibility in winter can make driving challenging, so be vigilant while driving and switch on your headlights to make your vehicle visible to other drivers in poor weather.

Additionally, do not rely on driving assistance technologies such as cruise control and lane assist as they may not function properly in bad weather. Check your owner’s manual to understand the systems’ abilities and limits.

 

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