One of the most annoying things about living in the United Kingdom, whether it’s Glasgow or Kent, is that the vast majority of the country seems to grind to a halt in the face of even the smallest amounts of snow. Snow might seem like a disaster, but with some common sense and outside-the-box thinking you can make a massive difference to the potential success of your travel efforts in the coldest times of the year. Make sure that you deal with the following during the winter:
Check your Car Battery
The last thing that you want to do is become an ornament on the road as passers-by remark about how unlucky you are to be stuck in the snow! The car battery can take a bit of a battering during winter as the cold can reduce its output, and what with the increased usage of lights and your heater they really have to work extra hard. If you are having trouble starting your car, get your battery checked and replaced if needed.
Top up your Engine Coolant with Antifreeze
During the year most people top up their engines with water, forgetting antifreeze. Engine coolant should be a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze. Don’t make the mistake of forgetting to use antifreeze as not doing so can lead to the engine over-heating leading to a very large repair bill.
Clean your Car Lights
Check your lights and indicators are both clean and working, and don’t forget to check the full beam and fog light too.
Get your Tyres replaced
A car’s tyres are key for both steering and braking therefore it is vital they are in good condition. Check for splits, bulges or any other kind of damage in the tyre – also check the tread and ensure that it’s not going bald in any capacity. It is recommended a 3mm depth during winter will give you a better grip, compared to the legal minimum of 1.6mm. If you live in an ice cavern of a street, as many of us do, then consider getting snow socks for your tyres – not as silly as they sound! –they can help you make a genuine difference to your chances of getting some traction on the roads and moving.
Check your Wiper Blades
The weather will be coming down hard and fast during the winter and the last thing that you want to be dealing with is a car that isn’t drivable as the window cannot be cleared. Make sure that you buy new wiper blades, or at least fix your old ones, if they stop to work. When they start to freeze to the glass you are putting yourself and others in serious danger, so make sure that you get them fixed ASAP.
Road safety in the winter does not need to be problem, with a few simple checks there’s no need to fall apart at the seams at the first mention of snow and bad weather. If you don’t feel confident making these checks, we can help.