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Winter Driving
Driving and Car Advice
Cold weather can play havoc with cars. Flat batteries are the main cause (32%), followed by cars turning over but won’t start up (15%). In fact motorists are 50% more likely to breakdown in January, February and March when temperatures are often colder, than any other month of the year.
Our advice to motorists during freezing weather conditions:
Cold weather can play havoc with cars. Flat batteries are the main cause (32%), followed by cars turning over but won’t start up (15%). In fact motorists are 50% more likely to breakdown in January, February and March when temperatures are often colder, than any other month of the year.
Our advice to motorists during freezing weather conditions:
- Refer to local authority / council websites for news of road conditions, accidents and road closures.
- Follow guidance in the media (radio, TV, etc.) and only set out if your journey is absolutely necessary.
- If you must travel, make sure you have certain items in the vehicle with you e.g. shovel, de-icer, warm clothing and blankets, food and a flask of hot drink and a fully-charged mobile phone.
- Adapt your driving style to the conditions: start off in a higher gear than normal (e.g. 2nd) to reduce wheelspin, be smooth and gentle with steering and brakes and allow much longer breaking distances than you would normally (especially when approaching junctions).
- Be alert for ice (when the steering feels "light" to the touch) and bear in mind it could lie below freshly fallen slow.
- If you do have an accident and the vehicle is immobilised, use hazard warning lights to alert other motorists. If the accident involves another motorists just get their name, registration number and a contact phone number - report the claim as soon as you can and leave the insurers to sort everything else out.
- Check anti-freeze levels and carry de-icer in case the locks freeze.
- For cars that are not being used that often ensure you regularly turn the engine over and keep the engine running to keep the battery energised.
- If warming your car up don’t leave it unattended with the keys in the ignition. Many cars are stolen this way by opportunist thieves each year.
- During cold weather it is especially important to check tyre, battery and wiper blade condition. Make sure the lights are fully functioning and double check oil and fuel levels before setting off
- Take your breakdown telephone help-line number and mobile phone with you on every journey.
