Tips For Winter Driving

It can’t have escaped your notice that the days have got shorter and the weather has turned colder - autumn is on its way out and winter is here! We’re used to weathering wintery conditions here in Harrogate, and we’d urge you to ensure you’re prepared to do the same on the roads. 

Travelling by car when it’s wet, icy or even snowy can present a lot of risks that you don’t need to consider when the seasons are kinder to us. Keeping the following precautions in mind when you’re on the road in the winter will stand you in good stead for a safer drive. 

Here are our tips for winter driving… 

Keep up to date with vehicle maintenance 

We’re putting a lot of trust in our cars in less-than-ideal conditions, so make sure you’re giving yours the best chance of getting you through them. This means regular checks of the following: 

Tyres 

Don’t forget that a decent tread depth will keep you grippy! The legal limit is 1.6mm, so ensure your car is staying on the right side of the law, and therefore safe in slippery conditions. If not, it’s time for a replacement. Also, do a visual inspection for damage, and top up tyre pressure when needed, as this can drop in cold conditions. 

Lights

‘Be safe, be seen’, as they say, so make sure all your bulbs are working - even the little light above the number plate. Visibility can get tricky on dark mornings, and when it’s lashing down with rain.

Levels 

Winter can throw up a lot of road dirt onto your car, and rain can leave pesky streaks on your windscreen. Ensure your windscreen washer fluid is topped up, alongside coolant, brake fluid, anti-freeze, and oil, of course. The worst time to break down is on a dark, cold night. 

Brakes

Wet or icy conditions compromise your stopping distances, so check the responsiveness of your brakes when it’s safe to do so, and be quick to investigate anything that doesn’t feel right when you’re coming to a stop. 

Carry the essentials

Breaking down isn’t ever a fun experience, but doing so unprepared makes the whole experience a lot more unpleasant than it needs to be. Keep a warm coat, high-visibility clothing, a blanket, torch, warning triangle, ice scraper and first aid kit on board to cover all bases. 

Keep your distance 

As we know, it can take longer to stop when the road surface is wet or icy. Keeping a safe distance behind the car in front will allow you enough time to react if it were to brake suddenly - and time to bring the car to a stop without impact. It’s a general rule of thumb to leave a two-second gap between you and the car in front - that means that you pass a stationary object at the side of the road two seconds after they do. Consider increasing this to three or even four seconds, just to be on the safe side.  

Steer into a skid 

If you lose control on a corner or on a patch of ice, it’s important to keep calm if you can. Steer into the direction of the skid, and gently apply your brakes instead of slamming your foot down and trying to correct the car. 

Keep your windscreen clear

It’s no surprise that driving when your windscreen is partially or completely obscured is illegal; it’s downright dangerous! Use that ice scraper we mentioned earlier to clear frost and ice from your windscreen, and ensure that you know how to use your climate control to clear condensation. 

Leave more time 

When we’re late, there can be temptation to take less care on the roads, and our mind is often not on the task at hand. Rain, ice, snow or fog mean staying extra vigilant, and leaving the time to do so will mean you can react appropriately to hazards and situations that may crop up. 

Upgrading your car this winter? 

At this wet and grey time of year, a car upgrade might be just what you need to brighten the season up. If you fancy driving into 2023 in a new car, we’ve got you covered here at Carlingo. Browse from over 150 cars, discover your purchase options, and look forward to a car that’s thoroughly prepared and ready for its next adventure. Search for your new used car online today.