Advice
WINTER:
Visibility
Make sure that all bulbs are working and that lenses
are clean. When roads are really mucky you might
need to clean lights after every journey. Keep the
number plates clean too, as you can be fined if they
are dirty and illegible.
If you have to clear snow from the car it's important
to clear it from the lights - front and back - as well as
from the glass and roof.
You must use headlights when visibility is seriously
reduced. You may also use front or rear fog lights but
these must be switched off when visibility improves
as they can dazzle other road users and obscure your
brake lights.
Tyres
We recommend at least 3mm of tread 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.
It's rare to need snow chains unless you live in an
isolated area hit with heavy snow, and where the
roads are not cleared. They must be removed to drive
on a metalled road without a reasonable covering of
snow.
Consider changing to winter or all season tyres –
these have a higher silica content in the tread which
prevents it hardening at lower temperatures, and
therefore gives better grip in cold wet conditions.
Before you go
Get up at least 10 minutes early to give you time to
prepare the car.
Don't drive off like a tank-commander, with a tiny
hole cleared in the windscreen. Clear all windows
using a scraper and de-icer.
Use a cigarette lighter to warm a key for a frozen
lock. Don't breathe on the lock, as the moisture will
condense and freeze.
Plan routes to favour major roads which are more
likely to have been cleared and gritted.
Put safety before punctuality when the bad weather
closes in. Allow extra time for winter journeys but be
prepared for the inevitability of being late for work
due to unexpected delay.
Driving in snow and ice
Gentle manoeuvres are the key to safe driving -
stopping distances are 10 times longer in ice and
snow.
Wear comfortable, dry shoes for driving.
Cumbersome, snow-covered boots will slip on the
pedals. Pull away in second gear, easing your foot off
the clutch gently to avoid wheel-spin.
Up hill - avoid having to stop part way up by waiting
until it is clear of other cars or by leaving plenty of
room to the car in front. Keep a constant speed,
choosing the most suitable gear well in advance to
avoid having to change down on the hill.
Down hill - reduce your speed before the hill, use a
low gear and try to avoid using the brakes. Leave as
much room as possible between you and the car in
front.
If you have to use brakes then apply them gently.
Release the brakes and de-clutch if the car skids.
Automatic transmission - 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 it's best to select '2',
which limits the gear changes and also makes you
less reliant on the brakes. Some autos have a
'Winter' mode which locks out first gear to reduce the
risk of wheel spin. Check the handbook.
If you 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.
Safe driving!