Looking to get your car Winter ready this Winter? Keep reading to find out how to properly prepare your car for the cold weather.
1. Check the battery and charging system: Cold temperatures can strain a battery and make it harder to start your vehicle. If your car is a few years old, it’s a good idea to have the battery and charging system tested by a professional.
2. Get a winter tune-up: Have a certified mechanic perform a tune-up to ensure your vehicle is running as efficiently as possible. Have them check hoses and belts, change the oil and filter, and inspect other components.
3. Check the brakes: Make sure your brakes are in good working order and that there’s plenty of brake fluid.
4. Inspect the tires: Tire pressure drops in cold weather, so be sure to check the pressure, tread depth, and wear patterns of your tires. Replace any worn tires with winter-grade tires to ensure good traction for snowy roads.
5. Change the wiper blades: Old wipers can leave streaks on your windshield and make it harder to see the road. Install new winter-grade blades to clear away rain, sleet, and snow.
6. Top-up fluids: Make sure your vehicle has the right amount of oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze, and other fluids. If any of these are low, top them off with the appropriate fluid.
7. Emergency kit: Keep a winter emergency kit in your car in case you get stranded in the cold. Include things like a flashlight, spare blankets, snacks, and a first-aid kit.
Following these tips can help you prepare your car for the winter season. For the best results, it’s always a good idea to have a professional inspect your vehicle and perform any necessary repairs and maintenance. That way, you can be sure your car is safe and ready for cold weather.
Winter driving can be a challenge, but there are a few simple tips to help you stay safe on the roads.
Slow Down: When driving in winter conditions, it‘s important to slow down and take your time. Snow and ice can make roads slick and reduce the amount of traction you have. Driving too fast can cause you to lose control of your vehicle, so be sure to slow down and give yourself plenty of time to react.
Increase Following Distance: Following too closely can be dangerous in any condition, but it‘s even more important to increase your following distance in winter. You need more time to slow down and stop in icy and snowy conditions, so make sure you leave plenty of space between you and the car in front of you.
Avoid Excessive Braking: Braking too hard can cause your tires to lose traction, so it‘s important to avoid excessive braking when driving in winter conditions. If you need to slow down, ease off the gas pedal and gently apply the brakes. This will help you maintain control of your vehicle and reduce the chance of skidding.
Use Your Lights: Make sure to use your headlights when driving in winter conditions. This will make it easier for other drivers to see you in dark or snowy conditions, which can help reduce the chance of a collision.
Be Prepared: It‘s also important to be prepared for winter driving. Make sure your car is in good condition by having it serviced regularly. Also, bring along a few winter essentials such as a snow brush, ice scraper, and a blanket in case you get stranded.
These are just a few tips to help you stay safe on the roads during the winter. Remember to always drive with caution and be aware of your surroundings. With a few simple precautions, you can help ensure a safe and smooth ride.
As the weather and the driving conditions become more unpredictable, it’s important to be prepared if an accident does happen. Unfortunately, car accidents can happen to anyone. Follow these steps to make sure the process is as simple and stress-free as possible:
1. Stop Your Car – First and foremost, stop your car. Even if you think the accident was minor, you must stop. Make sure that everyone is safe and that the other drivers involved are aware of the incident.
2. Check for Injuries – Check yourself and anyone else in the car for any injuries. If someone is injured, call 999 as soon as possible. Do not leave the scene. Wait for medical assistance to arrive.
3. Move Your Car – If you can, move your car out of the way of traffic, or to the side of the road. This will reduce the risk of another accident occurring.
4. Notify the Police – If anyone is injured or if there is any significant damage, you should call the police to report the accident. The police will create an accident report and will also help to direct traffic around the accident.
5. Exchange Information – Exchange information with the other driver involved in the accident. Make sure to get the other driver’s name, address, phone number, license plate number, and insurance information.
6. Take Photos – Take pictures of the accident scene. Include photos of the damage to your car, the other car, and any other evidence that can help to prove who was at fault.
7. The More Information the better – The more information you collect, the better. As well as taking photos, it’s also a good idea to write down what happened, to remind yourself later.
8. Contact Your Insurance Company – Contact your insurance company as soon as possible and report the accident. Make sure to provide the insurance company with all of the information you have collected, including photos and the police report.
9. Seek Legal Advice – If you feel you have been wronged or are in any way unsure of the legalities of the situation, seek legal advice. An experienced solicitor will be able to to help.
Following these steps will help to ensure that you are prepared in the event of a car accident.
How to ensure you stay safe on the roads this winter
Now that the nights are starting to draw in, you’ll probably find yourself driving in the dark more regularly. Here are our top tips for preparing yourself for the winter months ahead and ensure you stay safe on the road.
Check your lights work
Whilst this one may seem obvious, it’s still important that you check them regularly. Don’t forget to check your brake lights, fog lights and indicators at the same time.
Keep a safe distance between you and the car in front
Keeping a safe distance between you and the driver in front should help you avoid collisions. If the driver in front has to stop suddenly, it will give you enough time to react.
Check the treads on your tyres regularly
During the winter months, it’s a good idea to regularly check that your tyres are up to the job. If your tyres are overworn, they could be unsafe or even illegal on UK roads.
The minimum tyre depth on UK roads is 1.6 mm. To check your tyres are legal, we would recommend you use the 20p tyre test. The outer rim of a standard UK 20p coin is just under 3mm wide. To do the test, place the 20p icon into the groove of your tyre’s tread. If the outer rim of the coin is covered, your tyres are easily above the UK minimum tread depth. If you can see the rim of the coin, it’s time to get them checked properly using a tyre tread depth gauge.
Keep an eye out for speed signs
Street signs can be easily missed during nighttime hours. Remember to stick to the speed limits to stay safe.
Keep your windscreen clean
Make sure your windscreen and all other windows are regularly cleaned, inside and out. Dirty windows can increase glare and condensation when driving.
Take your time
Driving at night is generally riskier than day driving. Therefore, it makes sense to slow down and give yourself more time to get to your destination.
Autumn months see the most rainfall in the UK than any other time of year. It is important to make sure your vehicle is prepared, due to the drastic change in weather and road conditions. To keep you and your vehicle safe, we recommend you check the following elements of your vehicle:
Tyre pressure & tread
Check your tyre pressure after each long journey. Make sure tyres are at a safe level to tackle troublesome wet roads. Roads at this time of year are wet and covered in dangerous, slippery leaves. If tyre tread depth is below 2-3mm, we recommended replacing the tyres to ensure safe driving. If tyre tread falls below 1.6mm, this is illegal. Adding winter tyres to your car for extra protection is an option. Winter tyres boast added safety features, due to having four times more traction than regular tyres.
Bulbs & lights
Check bulbs and lights are working throughout your car. At this time of year, dark nights are starting to draw in faster. You don’t want to be heading home on a dimly lit night and the fog lights go out, or worse they break completely. Mornings will start to become darker, this is even more reason to be sure you inspect all your lights. Also give the lights a good clean to make sure they are as clear as possible when you have them on, both for your sake and for that of other road users.
Window wipers
Check your wipers blades work and are in good condition. We don’t pay enough attention to window wipers as drivers – until they break! The recommended time to replace them is once a year. So if you can’t remember the last time you changed them – it’s time to pick up a new set. You can purchase window wipers at a relatively low price. They are a motoring item that if they broke during a pour down of rain, then you could be in real trouble. This is an element of driving that we take for granted. If your wipers broke on a rainy day, then this is really dangerous and could easily cause an accident due to poor visibility.
Fluid levels
Make sure that engine fluid levels are all correct and over the minimum suggested. This will help your car run smoothly. Keep extra window wash with you, in your boot along with a car safety kit. Having extra wiper fluid will help them to work at their best. If they do start to struggle, pull over safely and use the spare fluid, allowing your view to become clearer and safer. Whilst checking fluid levels you can even go the extra mile and top up with winter-specific fluids. Then you will be well and truly ahead of the curve!
These are just a few Autumn driving tips from the team at motorly. To give your car a full and thorough check, book in with your local garage, who will be able to organise an Autumn health check for your vehicle.
