As the weather looks like it will turn soon here are some important tips to keeping you safe on the roads.
If the car is driven mainly in dark short rush-hour trips, the battery will give out eventually. The cold weather can also affect the battery cells. Batteries rarely last longer than five years, replacing them near the end of their life can save inconvenience at the side of the road when they finally fizzle out.
If the car stands idle most of the weekend a regular overnight trickle charge is a good idea to give the battery a chance to revive. Use the starter in short bursts if the engine doesn't start quickly, leave thirty seconds between attempts to allow the battery to recover.
Antifreeze costs only a few pounds, but a cracked engine block will cost thousands of pounds to repair. The majority of modern cars use long-life antifreeze, and it is absolutely essential that you don't mix these with other types as this can cause a sludge to form in the engine. If you're not sure what type of antifreeze is in your car, take it to someone so it can be checked.
Through the winter months dazzle from the low sun can be a particular problem. Improve vision significantly by making sure that the windscreen is clean – inside and out. Scratches, abrasion and chips on the outside can also worsen the dazzling effect of the sun. If you're suffering from greasy smears on the screen that don't go with use of a normal screenwash additive then a little elbow grease is required. First try using a cream glass polish with a slight abrasive action. If that doesn't work then try dishwasher powder dissolved in a little water – Use clean kitchen paper to clean a small area at a time and try not to go back over a patch you've just done.
Use air conditioning for faster demisting and to reduce condensation on cold windows. Make sure that wipers are switched off in the park position when leaving the car, when there's risk of freezing. If you don't and the blades freeze to the screen, you could damage the blades or wiper motor when you turn the ignition on. Windscreen washer fluid should be topped up and treated with a proprietary additive to reduce the chance of freezing in frosty weather. Don't use ordinary engine antifreeze as it will damage paintwork.
Check all tyres for condition, pressure and tread depth. At least 3mm of tread is recommended for winter motoring, and certainly no less than 2mm. Don't reduce tyre pressures to get more grip – it doesn't work, and reduces stability. Check you have a working jack and wheel brace, and that you know how to change a wheel if necessary. Also look at including tyre sealant and a power point generator. not many people actually want to change the wheel and tyre especially in the dark and cold. It's rare to need snow chains. Buy snow chains from a specialist supplier to ensure that they're right for your vehicle. If you live in an area hit buy regular bad weather consider changing to winter or all season tyres – these have a higher silicone content in the tread which prevents it hardening at lower temperatures, and therefore gives better grip in cold wet conditions.
Stopping distances are 10 times longer in ice and snow. Gentle manoeuvres are the key to safe driving. Wear comfortable, dry shoes: cumbersome, snow-covered boots will slip on the pedals. Select second gear when pulling away, easing your foot off the clutch gently to avoid wheel-spin. Try to maintain a constant speed, choosing the most suitable gear in advance to avoid having to change down while climbing a hill. When driving downhill, choose third or fourth gear to prevent skidding.
Always apply brakes gently. Release them and de-clutch if the car skids.
If you have an automatic, then under normal driving conditions (motorways, etc) it's best to select 'Drive' and let the gearbox do the work throughout the full gear range. In slippery, snowy conditions you can make driving much safer by selecting '2', which limits the gear changes and also makes you less reliant on the brakes. Many modern autos have a 'Winter' mode which locks out first gear to reduce the risk of wheel spin. Check the handbook if you're not sure. If you do get stuck, straighten the steering and clear the snow from the wheels. Put a sack or old rug in front of the driving wheels to give the tyres some grip. Once on the move again, try not to stop until you reach firmer ground.