Tips For Driving In The Snow

As winter approaches, the prospect of driving in icy conditions can be daunting for many drivers. You’ll want to avoid any unnecessary damage to your car - or worse still, getting involved in an accident.

Find out how you can drive through wintery conditions properly and what you can do to ensure your safety.

Prepare before embarking on your journey

It’s important to prepare for any particularly wintery conditions before making your car journey. Here’s some steps you should take to get ready for travelling in your car during snowy and icy weather:

●     Plan your route. Work out which roads you’ll be taking and check any traffic alerts for accidents or obstructions. It’s a good idea to keep tabs on your local weather to ensure you won’t get caught off guard by any harsh conditions.

●     Allow more time before setting off. In addition to planning your journey route and checking the weather, you’ll need to leave time to clear any snow from your car and de-ice your windscreen and windows.

●     Check your car extensively. Your wipers will need to be in good order to clear your windscreen, as well as making sure your tyres have adequate tread to grip to slippery road surfaces.

●     Pack for emergencies - food, water, blankets, torches, warm clothing, equipment to fix your car if it breaks down.

Driving safely in the snow

There are several things you can do to increase your safety while driving in the snow. Here’s how you can best protect your car, yourself and others:

●     Be gentle on the throttle - avoid any harsh acceleration that could cause wheel spin.

●     Accelerate gently, use low revs and change up to a higher gear as quickly as possible.

●     Pull away in second gear and ease your foot off the clutch to avoid wheel spin.

●     If you’re driving in the midst of heavy falling snow, switch on your headlights even if it’s daytime. It’s important other cars are aware you’re there.

●     Maintain safe stopping distances between you and other vehicles, putting as much space as you can between you and the car in front. This is especially important when going uphill or downhill.

●     Check your manual to see if your car has a setting for icy conditions if you drive an automatic car.

●     Remember that while main roads may seem fine, country roads and smaller lanes may not have been gritted. This means you should still take extra caution.

●     Be wary of black ice - this is transparent and very hard to see.

At Acorn Tyres and Servicing, we’re on hand to look after you and your car this winter. From exhaust repair to our tyre replacement service, we’re the car service garage to consult. Contact us today for a free quote.