Top 5 Winter Car Safety Hacks

It’s important to do regular walk-round checks of your vehicle at any time of the year, but especially so in the winter. Below are our top five winter car hacks to help keep you safe when travelling this festive season...


1. Make basic car safety part of your morning routine

Check your lights and wipers are clean and working, and that all windows, mirrors and number plates are clean and free from snow, ice and condensation. Check your tyres regularly, including the spare, to ensure they are not damaged, are correctly inflated, and have a tread depth of at least three millimetres. Remember to make sure the screen wash bottle is topped up with appropriate screen wash, and not water as this will freeze.

2. Call in the experts if you're not sure 

Remember, you can always get your local garage to help you with winter checks, such as for your tyre pressures, anti-freeze, and battery. Your battery has to work a lot harder in the winter and may struggle in the cold, get it checked and replaced if necessary. 


2. Don't rely too much on modern safety features  

Be aware of poor light conditions during the day due to fog, heavy rain, or snow; you can't rely on your vehicle's automatic headlights which work on ambient lighting, so you will need to switch them on manually.

Anti-lock Braking System, or ABS, is a feature that allows you to apply maximum pressure to the brake pedal without the car going into a skid. This will help you to retain steering control, but in slippery conditions ABS can dramatically increase stopping distances. If your ABS does activate, you will feel a vibration through the brake pedal and see the ABS light on the dashboard, simply maintain the pressure on the brake. 

Electronic Stability Programme, or ESP, helps to keep the car stable, reducing the likelihood of skidding. You may need to switch ESP off if you get stuck in snow, but remember to switch it back on again as soon as possible.

If you see the ABS light on your dashboard ask yourself why - were you driving too fast?

If you get stuck in snow turn off your ESP to help you get out, but switch it back on again afterwards.


4. Think like a Scout and be prepared! 

We’ve all heard about people being stuck on the roads for many hours in the winter. So be prepared by carrying items such as; Ice scraper and de-icer,  shovel and torch, additional warm clothing or a blanket, food and hot drink, and a mobile phone and car charger.

5. Don't rev to get out of a rut

If you do get stuck in snow, do not rev your engine to try and break out of the rut because this will just make it worse. Instead, try moving slowly backwards and forwards using the highest gear you can. If this doesn’t work you may have to ask a friendly passer-by for a push, or get your shovel out!



For more helpful tips follow us on Facebook.com/travelsafebucks or on Twitter @travelsafebucks 

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