Be great if we could all drive in the snow and ice like TV Top Gear presenters Jeremy Clarkson and James May who motored to the North Pole. But when winter sets in here, many of us don’t prepare properly before going out on the icy roads. So what do we need to snow? With weather forecasters below freezing temperatures across the UK over the next few weeks, leading airport parking specialist Airport Parking and Hotels (www.aph.com), has come up with 10 Top Tips for drivers.
- The most common cause of breakdowns during the winter months is the car battery failing, so make sure you check the battery is fully charged and in good condition. If the battery is near to or over five years old, then get it checked or better still, replace with a new one to avoid unplanned failures.
- Ensure all windows and lights are completely cleared of ice and dirt, and check the windscreen wipers are clean and in a good working condition.
- During particularly cold periods, avoid the water pump and engine freezing by adding a 50-50 mixture of water and engine anti-freeze to the cooling system.
- Make sure the windscreen washer fluid is topped up with a suitable anti-freeze solution.
- Motoring organisations recommend tyres to have at least 3mm of tread during winter driving, and no less than 2mm, so be safe and make sure the tread depth is at least 3mm.
- Prevent doors freezing shut by applying a thin coat of polish or Vaseline on rubber door seals. A squirt of water dispersant (WD-40) in locks will also help to stop them from freezing.
- Stopping distances are 10 times longer in snow so make sure you keep enough space between you and the vehicle in front.
- If you do need to brake in icy conditions, brake slowly to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock, take your foot off the brake.
- Be prepared for breakdowns, make sure you have a torch, road atlas, red warning triangle, warm coat and sensible shoes or boots and change for a pay phone (in case there is no mobile phone reception) in the car.
- Plan ahead – give yourself at least 10 minutes to prepare the car before departure and plan your route to favour major roads over small ones, which will be well lit and gritted.
