Winter motoring – be ready!

We’ve been chatting to Goodyear Tyres to get their thoughts on secure driving during the winter months.

Their most recent investigation threw up a handful of challenging statistics on the subject.

• only 15% of motorists will take their automobile for a service this winter


• 44% of folks say they actively attempt to use their car less in the winter as they are worried about driving in dark, cold circumstances


• more than half of drivers in the UK say they uncover driving in the snow and ice nerve racking


• 48% list scraping ice off wind screens in the mornings as a problem


• 40% fret about the lack of grit on icy roads.

Rock steady

Goodyear’s Kate Rock told me: “Driving in winter can be nerve wracking for any driver, specially for the duration of the darker afternoons. Rain, icy roads or gently falling snow can make a huge difference to how your auto handles the road, so it’s vital to program ahead and know your route and the climate circumstances anticipated prior to you set off.

“Ensuring your auto is in excellent operating condition to cope with almost everything which winter could throw at it is also crucial to putting your mind at rest. It sounds easy but preparation actually is the key for winter driving.”

Kate’s best 12 tips for coping in the dark months to come are:

1. add antifreeze to the engine coolant to safeguard your automobile against freezing and corrosion


2. modify your oil and verify the battery to make positive you have ample power for cold winter starts


3. check your brakes to ensure they are in complete working order


4. check headlights, rear lights, brake lights and turn indicators to make sure they are working properly.


5. stock up on emergency supplies – a torch, blanket, sand or salt, and an ice scraper are indispensable, along with spare winter clothing, foods, e.g. biscuits, and water. Emergency triangles and a phone charger are also worth thinking about, and don’t neglect medicines and important individual supplies. It’s often a good concept to have a very first aid kit handy as well


6. let further time to attain your destination as visibility can be difficult in winter


7. constantly leave extra space among you and the auto in front of you will give you ample time to come to a cease. It requires about 3 times longer to brake on wet roads than it does on dry roads.


8. check your tyres – are in good condition and inflated to the appropriate stress. Think about winter tyres if you’re going to be driving in snow and ice


9. in fog, slow down, brake as early as possible and drive with fog lights. If the fog is too dense, pull off the roadway and stop in a secure location till the fog clears


10. be conscious of high winds – slow down and be alert to wet or slippery roads. Be further cautious when passing cars such as caravans or lorries.


11. let extra time to defrost windscreens and clear snow if required. Not clearing the ice properly from windscreen can impact on your visibility of other road customers and pedestrians


12. do not leave your automobile operating on the drive even though the windscreen defrosts. In the time it requires to nip back into the house for a last swig of tea, a thief could be off and away in your car.

Plane sailing

A final word on aquaplaning – certainly 1 of the scariest factors that can confront a driver, and a critical winter peril.

Kate explains what occurs, and how to cope: “When the water in front of your tyres builds up quicker than your car’s weight can push it out of the way, the pressure causes your automobile to rise up and slide on a thin layer of water between your tyres and the road.

“At this point, your vehicle can be entirely out of contact with the road, and you are in danger of skidding or drifting out of your lane, or even off the road.

“To steer clear of aquaplaning, hold your tyres correctly inflated, keep very good tread on your tyres and replace them when essential, slow down when roads are wet, and remain away from puddles. Try to drive in the tyre tracks left by the vehicles in front of you.

“If you do discover your self aquaplaning, do not brake or turn suddenly as this could throw your auto into a skid. Ease your foot off the accelerator till the automobile slows and you can really feel the road once again.”

Winter motoring – be ready!