As we have firmly entered the colder months, we’ve probably all started the morning ritual of de-icing our cars. When it comes to driving in conditions such as ice and snow, there are a few things that can ensure we minimise dangers:
Tips on driving in the snow:
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Remember to remove any snow from your windshield, for ice use de-icer or warm water. As tempting as it may be, never use boiling hot kettle water – this will weaken and may even crack your screen.
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Leave more space than normal between yourself and the car in front of you.
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When driving in the snow, remember to accelerate gently and avoid high revs. Moving off in second gear may help you to avoid the wheel slipping; remember to move up gears as quickly as possible.
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If you find yourself skidding, don’t panic. Gently steer towards the direction of the pull, for example if you’re skidding to the left, steer to the left.
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As tempting as it may seem, don’t slam the breaks down if you skid. This will make you skid more. Instead concentrate on steering.
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Ensure your tyres are ready for winter, they need to have a tread depth of 3mm or deeper. If you live in an area where snow is a problem, think about getting winter tyres.
It’s always better to stay on main roads that are gritted, shortcuts and country roads may be more treacherous. Give more time to your car before setting off – warming the car up, ensuring its de-iced and your anti-freeze is topped up. If you would like anymore information on driving in the snow and ice this winter, check out the advice from Gov.uk. Preparing your car for winter can be a life saver – to find out our top (and most important) car maintenance tips, click here.
If you would like any more information on driving in the snow, tweet us @hpicheck.
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Happy driving,
Priya