In the UK this week the winter has truly made itself felt, with snow and ice across the country. In these conditions it's always wise to avoid any unnecessary journeys, but if you really have to use your car, we offer some useful tips to keep in mind.
The essentials
It is especially important in winter that you have tyres, battery, anti-freeze and other fluids all in good order - check our Five Steps To Prepare Your Car For Winter for more details on these and more.
Give your battery an easier job
Turn off things like lights, heated windows, stereo and other non-essentials when trying to start the engine. If it doesn't start at first, wait around 30 seconds before trying again. Don't run the starter motor for more than a few seconds at a time as you can quickly drain the battery if the engine isn't starting.
What's that noise?
If you hear a squealing noise continuously after starting the engine, it may well mean that the water pump is frozen and the fan belt is slipping as a result. In this case, stop the engine and let it thaw out - this may take a long time unless you can move the car into a warm garage.
Keeping a clear view
Make sure your wiper blades are in good condition as they are particularly vital in winter. Replace them if they're starting to look worn. Remember to turn off windscreen wipers when you park, as they could become frozen and starting the car again could damage the wiper blades or motor when they try to move.
Remove any snow from the roof of the car as this can fall and block your view when moving.
Air conditioning can help to clear your windscreen as it has a drying effect on condensation.
See and be seen
Make sure that not only your windows are clear of any snow or ice, but also your front and rear lights, as visibility is essential in winter when days are shorter and conditions often poor. Also make sure your number plates are clean even if the rest of the car isn't, to avoid the possibility of a fine.
If you need to use fog lights in misty/foggy conditions, turn them off again when visibility is better, to ensure you don't dazzle other drivers.
On the road
Aim to plan any journey to use main roads most of the way, as these are generally gritted and likely to be safer as a result of greater use.
You should of course drive much more slowly and cautiously in snow and ice, but remember to leave more time for your journey to compensate for this.
It's also worth ensuring you have at least a third of a tank of fuel in case you do become delayed or stuck - in the worst case of having to stay in the car overnight, you could at least keep the engine and heater running.
We wish you all the best on the roads at the moment. Take care, but if the worst should happen a Recovery Service may be able to help you out.
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