Christmas is fast approaching, but what’s normally the hap-happiest season of all for festive revellers is a torturous few months for car enthusiasts – and it all comes down to the terrors of winter weather.
Black ice, gale-force winds, freezing temperatures, torrential downpours, whiteout blizzards – the list of hazardous road conditions you’re likely to face at this time of year is endless.
But don’t be totally disheartened.
Tech advancements in car manufacturing over the past few decades have brought road safety a long way. In fact, accidents and road-related deaths in the UK have fallen year on year since 2004.
Although snow and ice are still risks to be aware of, we’re better equipped than ever before to deal with them.
With this in mind, we’re sharing our top tips for driving safely throughout winter. Take a look.
Give your car a check-up
Have your car fully serviced as the weather starts to turn so you can rest easy knowing your engine is in tip-top shape.
The professionals will soon point out any potential problems lurking under the hood and advise you on any necessary updates you’ll need to make, like oil changes. Just remember, the older your car the more complications you’re likely to discover.
Make a few key changes
Some cars handle snow, winds and ice better than others, but that doesn’t mean you should settle for less with your vehicle.
A few small adjustments can make the world of difference to how it performs under tough winter conditions. Swapping to winter tyres, for examples, is worth the cost if you live in a rural area where you’re forced to navigate hazardous country roads daily.
Watch out for grit
Waking up to discover the world has disappeared under a blanket of spotless white snow would previously have justified a snow day.
Now, gritting and snow clearing services can use Met Office weather watches and alerts to track likely storms, meaning the roads are probably clear before you’ve even realised it’s snowing.
The only problem is the loose stones and salt left behind can chip and damage paintwork. Avoid some expensive body kit touch-ups by waxing your car and installing mud flaps.
And finally, know the limits…
Even with continued advancements in car engineering and safety features, there’s no substitute for cautious driving.
Take care at corners, clear your windscreens for better visibility, leave a bigger distance than normal between yourself and other road users, keep your dipped headlights on at all times – basically, adjust your driving according to the specific conditions of the day.
But, ultimately, if the weather is growing worse by the second and the roads worry you in any way, don’t risk it. Work, school, shopping or appointments – everything can wait until the snow or ice clears up.